Undergraduate Project

The construction industry in Nigeria faces significant challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study compares traditional and modern building materials in Nigeria, focusing on their sustainability and environmental impact. Traditional material (mud, thatch, bamboo). Are evaluated alongside modern materials (e.g., concrete, steel, glass) using Life cycle Assessment (LCA) and case studies. The research investigates the environmental implication of material extraction, processing, construction, and disposal. Factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission, and indoor air quality are assessed. The study reveal that traditional materials exhibits superior sustainability characteristics, including lower carbon footprints, reduced waste generation, and enhanced thermal performance. However modern materials offer improved durability and structural integrity. Policy and regulatory frameworks analyzed to identify barriers to sustainable building practices.

This study examines the pragmatic aspects of Yoruba taboo folktales, with special focus on selected tales from Ogbomoso. While Yoruba folktales have often been explored for their literary and artistic merits, their pragmatic roles, particularly as acts of communication, have received less attention. The aim of this research is to investigate how taboo folktales function as speech acts and employ politeness strategies that uphold social, moral, and spiritual order in Yoruba society. The study relied on eight taboo folktales, which were collected through oral interviews with competent Yoruba speakers and later translated into English. The data were analyzed using Speech Act Theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969) and Leech’s Politeness Principle (1983). Direct and reported utterances from the folktales were examined at the locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary levels, and further classified according to Austin’s and Searle’s categories of speech acts. The politeness analysis assessed the cultural purposes of the utterances, as well as the ways in which they conformed to or violated conversational maxims. Findings reveal that Yoruba taboo folktales are not merely entertaining stories, but performative acts that sustain cultural values. They preserve spiritual balance, instill discipline, and transmit ancestral wisdom across generations. Further research can focus on the linguistic philosophy underlying Yoruba taboo folktales, with attention to the deeper cultural beliefs and worldviews they embody

International law plays a crucial role in governing relations between states, addressing issues such as human rights, conflict resolution, trade, and environmental protection. However, its efficacy remains a subject of contention due to significant challenges in implementation and institutional limitations. While international law is designed to promote global order and cooperation, its enforcement is often inconsistent, primarily due to the principle of state sovereignty, which allows nations to selectively comply with legal obligations. This lack of a centralized enforcement mechanism weakens the authority of international legal norms and limits their effectiveness in resolving global disputes. One of the key challenges of implementation lies in the voluntary nature of compliance. Unlike domestic legal systems, international law lacks a supranational authority capable of enforcing rulings and ensuring uniform adherence. Powerful states often disregard international legal decisions, while weaker states are pressured into compliance, leading to a disparity in enforcement. Additionally, international institutions such as the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice face political interference, funding constraints, and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder their ability to uphold international legal standards effectively. Furthermore, the ambiguity and inconsistencies in international legal provisions create challenges in interpretation and application. Conflicts between national legal systems and international obligations further complicate enforcement, as states prioritize domestic laws over international commitments. Moreover, international law has been slow to adapt to emerging global challenges, such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and transnational terrorism, limiting its ability to address contemporary issues effectively. This study critically examines these flaws, focusing on mainstream international law rather than specialized areas. It provides a broad overview of the systemic weaknesses affecting the implementation and enforcement of international legal norms. By highlighting these challenges, the study contributes to ongoing discussions on legal reform, institutional restructuring, and the need for stronger mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of international law in the modern world

Introduction: Household air pollution (HAP) remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Nigeria where biomass fuel use is still common. Under-five children are especially vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and increased exposure within household environments. Despite existing global data, there is limited community-specific evidence in peri-urban areas such as Ekosodin, Benin City. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of household air pollution and respiratory symptoms among under-five children in Ekosodin, Benin City, Edo State. It also sought to identify common sources of HAP and assess the association between exposure and respiratory symptoms. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of under￾five children using a multistage sampling technique. A minimum sample size of 298 was calculated, with 280 respondents participating. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to assess associations at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The majority of households used cleaner fuels, with gas (61.1%) and electricity (14.6%) being the most common, although some still used firewood (12.9%) and kerosene (7.5%). Most households had ventilation (94.6%), but only 18.6% had smoke outlets. Cough was the most prevalent respiratory symptom (31.4%), while wheezing (8.6%) and shortness of breath (3.2%) were less common. Diagnosed respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia (2.9%) and bronchitis (2.9%) were relatively low. Significant associations were found between respiratory symptoms and use of unclean fuels (p = 0.018), child proximity to cooking areas (p < 0.001), indoor pollution sources such as mosquito coils (p = 0.001), place of cooking (p < 0.001), and indoor tobacco smoking (p = 0.002). xi Conclusion: Despite the predominant use of cleaner fuels, household air pollution exposure remains prevalent due to other contributing factors such as cooking location, poor smoke outlet availability, and indoor pollution sources. These factors significantly influence the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children. Interventions should focus on improving household environmental practices alongside promoting clean energy use

This study was conducted to determine and compare some of the mineral composition of Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) leaf meal obtained from three locations within Benin City, Nigeria, and to evaluate the subsequent implications for livestock nutrition and feed safety. Fresh Guinea grass leaves were collected from Ekenwan, Ekosodin and Uniben, representing a gradient of land use intensity. The samples were processed, sun-dried, and milled into a fine powder. Subsequent laboratory analysis utilized Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Flame Photometry, and spectrophotometric methods to quantify the concentrations of macro-minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus), essential trace minerals (Iron, Zinc, Manganese), and heavy metals (Chromium, Lead). The results revealed statistically significant variations (p < 0.05) in the mineral content across the three locations. The Uniben location exhibited the highest concentrations of Potassium (331.3 mg/kg), Magnesium (115.2 mg/kg), and Iron (28.1 mg/kg), while Ekehuan recorded the highest Phosphorus content (345.0 mg/kg). However, Uniben and Ekosodin locations also showed elevated levels of heavy metals, with Lead concentrations of 0.30 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg respectively, and Chromium levels of 0.50 mg/kg and 0.40 mg/kg respectively. Ekehuan location had the lowest heavy metal contamination but showed deficiencies in some essential minerals. Research indicates that the mineral content of Guinea grass in Benin City varies significantly by location. This means forage from some sites offers nutritional benefits but also carries a risk of heavy metal contamination for grazing animals. Consequently, the study advises avoiding harvests in urban and high-traffic zones and calls for feeding strategies that include location-specific mineral supplementation to safeguard livestock.

This study evaluated the in-vitro antioxidant, in-vitro antidiabetic and phytochemical constituents of the methanolic leaves extract of Andrographis paniculata leaves. Fresh A. paniculata leaves were harvested from a local community, air-dried and extracted with methanol and fractionated. Phytochemical constituents, mineral and proximate composition, antioxidant activities, and α-amylase enzyme inhibitory potentials of the crude extract and fractions were determined using standard method. The crude extract and fractions of A. paniculata concentration-dependently scavenges 2,2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC50 range of 45.23 - 93.26 μg/mL compared to 1.02 μg/mL of standard ascorbic acid and a range of 22.4 – 22.7 mMFeS/g for the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The crude extract and fractions also inhibited α -Amylase activity in a concentration-dependent manner within a range of 23.41– 48.85% against 30.79–45.63% for the standard (acarbose). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various phytochemicals in the crude extract. Further analysis of the crude extract with gas-chromatography revealed the presence of about 33 compounds. The total phenolics content was found to be within range of 26.63mg GAE/g to 50mg GAE/g, and total flavonoid between 31.96 mg QE/g to 46.15 mg QE/g. Proximate analysis revealed the moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fiber, and nitrogen free extract to be 6.97%, 8.62%, 4.03%, 6.33%, 27.67%, and 46.38% respectively. The anti- diabetic and antioxidant potentials of the plant and presence of phytochemicals infers that the effectiveness of A. paniculata as a medicinal plant could be due to the presence of various phenolics, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant compounds in the plant.

This study was embarked upon to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the daily recommended water intake among female undergraduate students of the university of Benin. To guide this study, four (4) research questions where raised and answered. The purpose of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice towards the daily recommended water intake among female undergraduate students of the university of Benin. The knowledge, attitude and practice towards the daily recommended water intake were reviewed in the important literature that was reviewed for the research study. The instrument that wass used to collect responses from the study's respondents was a self-structured questionnaire, and the survey research design was the one adopted for this study. The data collected was tabulated and analyzed properly. The findings revealed that the level of knowledge on the daily recommended water intake among the respondents is low, also that the respondents have inadequate attitudes towards the daily recommended water intake and the practice towards the daily recommended water intake among the respondents includes; drinking water during school days, only a few carry their water cans daily, respondents drink water as soon as they get thirsty, majority do not drink water before eating and respondents drink water after eating. It was also revealed that cultural practices does have an influence on the attitudes towards the daily recommended water intake among the respondents. It was thus concluded that there are significant discrepancies in female undergraduate students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the daily required water intake have been brought to light by this study. The results show that there is a general lack of information on the topic, which leads to unsatisfactory attitudes regarding optimal hydration. In light of these results, it was recommended that focused health education initiatives are required to raise awareness and encourage constructive attitudes and behaviors around drinking enough water. Encouraging practical water drinking techniques and addressing cultural pressures can assist female undergraduates develop healthier habits, which will ultimately improve their general wellbeing

Access to clean and safe water is fundamental to sustaining public health and ensuring community well-being. This study assessed the water quality and hygiene practices of households in Ogbelaka, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to determine the microbiological quality of household water, evaluate hygiene practices, and identify householdlevel factors contributing to contamination. A cross-sectional design was employed, combining field sampling and survey methods. Water samples from selected households were analyzed for thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli using standard microbiological procedures. Data on hygiene, sanitation, and water handling practices were collected through structured questionnaires. Results indicated that a significant proportion of water samples showed microbial contamination exceeding WHO permissible limits, highlighting risks of waterborne diseases. Many households relied on untreated or poorly treated water sources such as boreholes and wells, with inadequate storage and handling practices contributing to contamination. Hygiene practices, particularly handwashing with soap at critical times, were suboptimal, and household water treatment methods were inconsistently applied. The findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions that promote community- based water treatment, improved sanitation, and sustained hygiene education. The study concludes that strengthening local water management, behavioral change communication, and enforcement of water quality standards are crucial steps toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) in Ogbelaka and similar semi-urban communities.

Heat exchangers are fundamental components in thermal engineering, enabling efficient transfer of heat between fluids across various phase states. Their performance largely depends on the thermal characteristics of the working fluid, and improving these characteristics remains a central research focus. Nanofluids—base fluids enhanced with suspended nanoparticles—have emerged as promising candidates due to their potential to significantly improve heat transfer rates. This study investigates the viability of nanofluids as enhanced working fluids for heat exchanger applications, addressing the persistent challenge of increasing heat transfer efficiency in thermal systems. The methodology involved selecting a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and performing detailed mathematical modelling, numerical simulations, and comparative analyses. Simulations were conducted using ANSYS Fluent, supported by theoretical models such as the Maxwell-Garnett relations, Pak and Cho density formulation, and Brinkman viscosity correlations. Mesh generation, boundary condition setup, and performance evaluation were carried out systematically between July and November 2025. Various nanofluid types and volume fractions were iteratively tested to identify the most thermally efficient fluid configuration for the system. The results demonstrate a clear improvement in heat transfer characteristics when nanofluids are employed compared to conventional fluids. Significant enhancements were observed in thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer coefficients, and reduction in hot-air exit temperatures from the heat exchanger. The comparative outcomes confirm the strong potential of nanofluids to boost thermal energy recovery and overall system performance, highlighting their suitability for advanced industrial heat exchanger applications.

Cladocera is a crucial bio-indicator of water quality and trophic status of the aquatic environment they inhabit. This study was carried out from August 2021 to January 2022 using standard methods to investigate the species composition, abundance, distribution and diversity of Cladocera community of Okhuaihe River at Ikpe, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 22 physicochemical parameters were determined. Results show that flow rate, width and phosphate were significantly higher across the sampling stations, while temporally, air temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, iron, zinc and manganese showed high significance difference. The physicochemical parameters measured were within the Federal Ministry of Environment and WHO permissible limits except electrical conductivity, ammonium, chloride, turbidity, iron, copper, manganese and chromium. A total of 6 families comprising 75 individuals were recorded. Abundance was highest in station 4 contributing 64 individuals and lowest at station 1 which accounted for 3 individuals of total individuals. The family Chydoridae (33.33%) dominated the samples followed by Sididae (26.67%), Moinidae (16.00%), Daphniidae (14.67%), Bosminidae (8.00%) and then Macrothricidae (1.33%). Species richness was highest in station 4 and lowest in station 2. Shannon wiener index indicated that station 4 had the highest diversity followed by station 3 while Cladocera species in station 2 were less diverse. Evenness was highest in station 1, closely followed by station 2 while station 4 had the least value. Dominance was measured with highest value in station 2 and least value in station 4. Daphniidae showed a positive significant correlation to turbidity while Macrothricidae exhibited positive significant correlations with sulphate and turbidity. The water quality index at stations 1 to 4 indicate that the sampled stations are safe for human consumption, support aquatic life and other domestic activities This study proved that Okhuaihe River is of good water quality and the Cladocera community encountered are typical of a tropical freshwater habitat but of low diversity. However, continuous monitoring should be carried out intermittently on the River so that a deviation in the quality of the water could be detected timely.