PERFORMANCE

This study examined the effect of stock market performance on insurance sector development in Nigeria over the period 1990 to 2024. The study was motivated by the need to understand how key indicators of stock market performance influence the growth
and stability of the insurance industry, which plays a vital role in financial intermediation and economic development. The specific objectives were to investigate the relationship between market capitalization, all share index, total value of transactions, and market turnover on insurance sector development measured by the insurance penetration rate. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, and the analysis was based on secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, the Nigerian Exchange Limited Factbook, and the National Insurance Commission annual reports. The study employed the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimation technique after confirming the stationarity and cointegration properties of the data using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Johansen tests. The empirical results revealed that market capitalization, all share index, total value of transactions, and market turnover each exert a positive and statistically significant impact on insurance sector development in Nigeria. The R-squared value of 0.873 indicates that approximately 87 percent of the variation in insurance sector development can be explained by changes in stock market performance indicators. These findings suggest that improvements in stock market performance enhance the capacity of insurance firms to mobilize funds, expand operations, and contribute to economic growth. The study concludes that a well-functioning and vibrant stock market is essential for the sustainable development of the insurance sector in Nigeria. It therefore recommends strengthening capital market reforms, promoting insurance investment in equities, enhancing regulatory coordination, improving financial literacy, and encouraging technological innovation to deepen the linkage between the stock market and the insurance industry.

This study examines the impact of credit risk modeling techniques on the performance of life insurance companies in Nigeria., focusing on a sample of 12 life insurance companies in Nigeria over the period 2018 to 2024. The variables analyzed included credit scoring, structural model and Altman Z-score model. Various statistical and econometric tools were applied to analyze the data. The findings revealed that credit scoring and Altman Z-score model have positive and statistically insignificant effects on the financial performance of life insurance companies in Nigeria, while the structural model has a negative and statistically insignificant influence on the financial performance of life insurance companies in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommended that life insurance firms in Nigeria strengthen the adoption and integration of credit scoring systems using advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence and firms should review and customize structural models to better suit the operational and regulatory environment of the Nigerian insurance industry.

This study examines the psychological dimensions of acting and their impact on the emotional and mental well-being of Nigerian actors. Acting is approached not merely as an artistic craft but as a psychological complex process involving emotional regulation, empathy, identity negotiation and self-awareness. The research is motivated by the observation that, despite the global recognition of performance psychology, Nigerian actors operate within an emotionally demanding context that lacks institutional psychological support of formal de￾rolling mechanisms. The study adopts a mixed-method design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Emotion regulation theory and rule theory provided the theoretical framework. The research concluded that acting in Nigeria constitutes a form of substantive emotional labor requiring both artistic skill and psychological resilience. While Nigerian actors demonstrate remarkable adaptability, the lack of training for psychological recovery exposes them to long￾term emotional strain. The study recommends the integration of psychological literacy, the rolling practices and counselling support into Nigerian acting curricular and production environment,the research contribute to a broader understanding of acting as both a creative and psychological negotiation between self and character

This study examined the relationship between employee relations and employee productivity in the hotel industry. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 70 hotel employees to assess various aspects of employee relations, including communication, teamwork, management support, and recognition/rewards. Employees also provided self-report of their own productivity. Quantitative analysis revealed several significant positive correlations between measures of employee relations and employee productivity. In particular, perceptions of open communication, strong teamwork, and adequate management support were all
associated with higher levels of self-reported employee productivity. The findings suggest that investing in initiatives to improve employee relations within hotels may have tangible benefits in terms of boosting employee output and performance. Implications for hotel management practices are discussed, along with limitations of the study and directions for future research

his study focused on assessing the impact of training and development on employee performance, using the University of Benin as a case study. The objectives were to examine the roles of training and development in achieving organizational goals related to worker efficiency, effectiveness, social and psychological well-being, and the potential for changing attitudes towards work. The choice of the University of Benin was based on its extensive training and development opportunities, particularly for academic staff. The research employed both primary and secondary data collection methods. The study concluded that training and career development yield numerous benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced morale, improved profitability, optimized resource utilization, and reduced accidents. Scientific analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between training and productivity, indicating that employees acquire job skills effectively and contribute to organizational objectives. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between staff training and factors such as job satisfaction, promotion, or career advancement. Nevertheless, training serves as a motivating force, fostering positive attitudes towards the organization, better job adjustment, commitment, and potential for career growth. Based on the findings, it is recommended that effective training programs should be meticulously planned and structured, preferably under the guidance of trained experts. Organizations, including the University of Benin, should consider relevant information when developing tailored training programs that meet their specific needs. Establishing a well-defined training policy aligned with modern organizational requirements is crucial, with diligent implementation. Employee training should be based on accurate assessment systems and methods to identify training needs. The majority of respondents emphasized the importance of ongoing, job-relevant training. It is essential to ensure fairness and meritocracy in selecting trainees, providing equal access to training opportunities for all workers rather than a privileged few. To motivate employees, the management of the University of Benin and other organizations should complement training initiatives with additional benefits, such as promotions, higher salaries, and increased responsibilities, aimed at maximizing staff output. Lastly, allocating sufficient funds to support the training officer's duties, including staff training, is recommended for the University of Benin.

The quality of building maintenance in on-campus student hostels plays a critical role in shaping students’ academic experiences and overall well-being. This study examines the impact of hostel maintenance practices on the academic performance of students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria. A combination questionnaires and interviews were administered; data were collected from hostel residents and maintenance managers to assess the effectiveness of maintenance practices and their influence on student outcomes. A total of 180 students were sampled from two hostels, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. Findings reveal that while routine and corrective maintenance practices are in place, their effectiveness is limited by resource constraints, delayed responses, and poor implementation. Key maintenance challenges include inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, faulty plumbing, and inefficient waste disposal, all of which were perceived as negatively impacting students’ living conditions. Regression analysis shows a significant positive relationship between students’ academic performance (measured by CGPA) and their perception of hostel maintenance effectiveness, particularly in areas such as restroom condition, water supply, and overall maintenance quality. The study concludes that improving hostel maintenance through proactive strategies, increased resource allocation, and efficient management practices can enhance students’ academic success. ecommendations include the adoption of preventive maintenance measures, digital reporting systems for maintenance issues, and improved supervision of facility management personnel. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on student housing quality and its implications for academic performance in public tertiary institutions.

This study examined the effect of financial technology on the performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Quarterly time series data for the period 2009Q1-Q4 to 2023Q1-Q4 was generated from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and global financial index of the World Bank. The study used the ordinary least squares multivariate regression estimation method to analyze the data generated. The findings reveal that that Internet banking, ATM usage and POS terminal usage have significant impact on deposit money banks performance in Nigeria while mobile banking has no significant effect on deposit money bank performance. According to the study's findings, financial technology (FINTECH) variables play a significant role in Nigeria's deposit money bank performance. Based on the findings, the study recommends that deposit money banks should improve their security on mobile transaction and also cut down the various charges associated with mobile transaction usage in Nigeria. Also, It's also important to solve Nigeria's poor Internet access. In order to gain consumers' trust, network communications security should also be strengthened. Concerns about security when using internet banking should be addressed by banks in order to reverse the negative impact on their performance. Furthermore, deposit money banks should upgrade ATM technology to include features like cardless transactions, biometrics, and improved security measures to enhance user experience and attract more customers and with more customers using this platform it will improve the performance of deposit money banks. In addition, the adoption rate of point-of-sale (POS) terminals in Nigeria should continue to be improved so that it will continue to contribute positively to deposit money bank performance. This can be done by lowering the excessive transaction fees and making improvements to the infrastructure needed to run POS, such as network access. This will further improve the performance of banks in Nigeria.

This study investigates the effectiveness of clove oil extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel immersed in simulated seawater. Corrosion in chloride-rich marine environments leads to rapid metal degradation, and natural plant-based inhibitors offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals. Clove oil was extracted using ethanol-based solvent extraction, and mild steel specimens were exposed to 3.5% NaCl solutions containing 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mL of the extract. Electrochemical analyses, including Open Circuit Potential (OCP), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel polarization were conducted, alongside surface characterization using FTIR, SEM, and EDS. Results showed that the optimum inhibitor concentration (0.3 mL) produced a significant noble shift in OCP, stabilizing around +0.07 V compared to the unstable blank sample. Tafel analysis revealed a reduction in corrosion current density from 2.287 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm² (control) to 0.887 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm², corresponding to an inhibition efficiency of 61.22%. EIS results confirmed enhanced surface protection, with charge-transfer resistance increasing from 1.8 × 10⁵ Ω·cm² for the blank to 1.0 × 10⁶ Ω·cm² at 0.3 mL. SEM images showed a smoother, film-covered surface at higher inhibitor concentrations, while EDS detected reduced Fe intensity and increased oxygen content. FTIR confirmed the presence of O–H, C–O, and aromatic C=C functional groups responsible for adsorption. This study concluded that clove oil extract has a strong protective effect, confirming its potential as an efficient eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in saline environments. It is recommended that future studies explore clove extract synergistically with other natural inhibitors to further improve corrosion resistance.

Comparative Performance analysis of Selected Working Fluids in a low temperature organic RankineCycle forWasteHeatrecoveryApplication. The global imperative to improve energy efficiency necessitates the effective recovery of low- gradewast heat,achallengeperfectlyaddressedbytheorganicRankineCycle (ORC)technology. This project undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of selected candidate organic
working fluids – including Ethanol, Toluene, Cyclopentane, R245fa, R1233zd(E) and R152a, drawn fromthe categories ofdry,wet andisentropic fluids,withina low temperatureORCsystem designed for industrial waste heat recovery. The primary goal isto identify the optimal fluid that maximizesthermodynamic performance under a specified heatsource temperature (e.g 206 0Cto 123.70C). A thermodynamic model was developed to simulate the cycle’s performance. The selected fluids areevaluatedagainstkeymetricssuchasnetworkandthermal efficiency. Initial simulation results reveal significant variability in cycle performance, depending on the fluid’s criticaltemperature,boilingpointandcondensationtemperatures andpressures. The findings provide a data driven basisforselecting aworking fluid that not only achieves higher power generation but also minimizes system’s complexity and investment cost, thereby acceleratingthedeploymentofsustainablelowtemperaturewasteheatrecoverysystems

This study aimed to evaluate and enhance the efficiency of a tile production facility in Benin City, Nigeria through MATLAB-based simulation and optimization. The research was conducted in response to persistent challenges in local tile manufacturing, including high energy consumption, low throughput, and significant defect rates. The study sought to develop a robust simulation model capable of analyzing the plant’s operational performance, identifying critical inefficiencies, and proposing optimization strategies that align with real-world production constraints. The methodology involved systematic data collection on machine utilization, downtime, energy consumption, and defect levels from the facility. These data were used to design a MATLAB simulation model that replicated the major stages of tile manufacturing mixing, pressing, drying, glazing, and firing. The model evaluated baseline performance conditions and tested multiple optimization scenarios such as load balancing, batch size adjustment, and preventive maintenance scheduling. The simulation outputs were analyzed to determine their operational feasibility within existing equipment and workforce limitations. The results showed substantial improvements across key production metrics. Daily output increased by approximately 20%, machine utilization rose from 85% to 92%, and defect rates decreased from 6.0% to 3.5%. Energy consumption per tile dropped by 7%, contributing to a 4.8% reduction in production cost. Financial projections indicated a 37% increase in monthly gross profit following optimization. These findings confirm that MATLAB simulation provides a cost-effective and practical approach for improving efficiency, product quality, and profitability in Nigeria’s tile manufacturing sector