NIGERIA

The main focus of this project are to evaluate the popularity of X usage after the ban-ifting in Nigerian: a study of UNIBEN students. Furthermore, the study reviewed the major causes of the X ban in Nigeria, established the negative effect of the X ban on Nigeria's citizens, especially students, determined if twitter still remained popular in Universities after the ban-lifting and examined the extent to which UNIBEN students made use of X after the ban lifting in Nigeria. The researcher adopted the survey design .The survey design was adopted with the aid of 14 item Questionnaire and 100 Respondents of the university of Benin. Data obtained were analyzed and presented with the aid of frequency tables and simple percentage. The result from the study showed that X has gained more popularity among uniben student after the ban was lifted. This study recommended that students should be motivated to share educational resources and engage with peers on X, There should be X policy development among Uniben students and there should be feedback mechanism to understand the student’s opinions and challenges concerning the access to the app.

Access to safe drinking water is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, yet it remains a challenge in Nigeria, contributing to a high burden of waterborne diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the complex relationship between community perceptions of water quality and laboratory- confirmed health outcomes among residents in Ogbeson, a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining socio-demographic and behavioral surveys with objective physicochemical and bacteriological analyses of drinking water samples. The population exhibited a relatively high educational level (49.5% with tertiary education) and moderate income. Water quality was assessed against World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and health status was determined through self-reported illness prevalence, particularly waterborne diseases.A major discrepancy was found between community confidence and actual water safety. A high proportion of respondents (78%) reported confidence in their main water source's reliability, often relying on sensory attributes (color, taste, odor) for quality assessment. This confidence directly contradicted laboratory findings of severe contamination, including pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, and Pseudomonas species) and chemical hazards like elevated nitrate (52.17 to 92.47 mg/L, exceeding the WHO limit of 50 mg/L) and acidic pH (4.43–6.37). The documented contamination correlated directly with a substantial acute disease burden: 42.7% of households reported water-related illnesses, with typhoid fever (55.7%) and diarrhea (42.3%) being the most prevalent. Despite high education and 74.1% of respondents treating water (predominantly by boiling), structural constraints undermined protective behaviors. Pervasive water supply intermittency (61.4% experiencing problems) and seasonal unreliability (94.2% during the dry season) necessitated unsafe water storage and increased recontamination risk. This was compounded by critical WASH infrastructure deficits, with 85.5% of the community lacking adequate facilities, particularly hand washing stations (87.1% lacking), alongside the near-total absence of community-based WASH programs (82.3% lacking). In conclusion, the Ogbeson community faces a public health emergency driven by the dangerous coexistence of high confidence in unsafe water sources, pervasive infrastructural failures, and an overwhelming burden of waterborne disease. Urgent, multisectoral interventions are required to resolve water supply intermittency, invest in foundational WASH infrastructure, and implement integrated community programs to align risk perception with objective reality, thereby achieving health equity and SDG 6 alignment

This study examined the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among fresh graduates in Edo State, Nigeria, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as the theoretical framework. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of personal attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, access to capital, and gender on entrepreneurial intention. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 400 fresh graduates from universities, polytechnics, and collegesof edu cation in Edo State. A total of 384 valid responses were obtained, representing a 96% response rate. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis with the aid of SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that personal attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, access to capital, and gender all have significant positive effects on entrepreneurial intention. Among these variables, personal attitude and perceived behavioural control emerged as the strongest predictors of entrepreneurial intention, indicating that graduates’ perceptions, confidence, and self-efficacy play a crucial role in shaping their entrepreneurial aspirations. Subjective norms also significantly influenced intention, highlighting the importance of social support systems such as family and peers. Access to capital was found to be a critical enabling factor, although respondents expressed concerns regarding the ease of accessing financial resources. Gender showed a significant but relatively weaker influence, suggesting the persistence of moderate gender disparities in entrepreneurial participation. The study concludes that entrepreneurial intention among Nigerian graduates is driven by a combination of psychological, social, and financial factors. It recommends strengthening entrepreneurship education, improving access to finance, promoting supportive social environments, and implementing gender-inclusive policies to enhance entrepreneurial development among graduates. The study contributes to existing literature by extending the TPB framework to include access to capital and gender as important contextual factors in a developing economy

This study investigates the relationship between corporate board diversity and the financial performance of quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Conducted within the context of governance reforms and performance challenges in the sector, the research examines how national, ethnic, age, and gender diversity influence Earnings Per Share (EPS), which was adopted as the measure of financial performance. An ex-post facto research design was employed, using panel data extracted from the annual reports of twelve oil and gas companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group between 2014 and 2023. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression were applied to evaluate the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that ethnic and age diversity exert significant positive effects on EPS, while national and gender diversity show statistically insignificant influences. The results indicate that board heterogeneity in certain dimensions enhances shareholder value, though some forms of diversity remain underutilized in Nigeria’s corporate governance framework. The study concludes that meaningful representation across diversity dimensions can strengthen decision- making and improve financial outcomes, especially in a highly regulated and capital-intensive industry. The study recommends that regulators and policymakers enforce inclusive governance policies that encourage balanced board representation, while companies should adopt strategic diversity practices that integrate ethnicity, age, gender, and nationality to enhance performance and competitiveness.

This study investigated the effect of digital payment systems on the profitability of deposit money banks in Nigeria using quarterly time-series data from 2012Q1 to 2022Q4. Five electronic payment channels such as Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Point of Sale (POS), Web payment platforms, Mobile payment systems, and NIBSS Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) were examined. The Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) technique was employed to estimate the long-run relationship between digital payment adoption and bank profitability. The empirical findings revealed that ATM and Web payment transaction values exerted a statistically significant and positive influence on bank profitability. In contrast, POS, Mobile payment, and NEFT transaction values showed no significant long-run effect on profitability during the study period. These results suggest that while some digital channels have matured into profit generating platforms, others remain operationally essential but financially under-optimized. Based on the findings, the study recommends that banks strengthen and expand ATM and Internet banking infrastructure to sustain profitable digital operations. In addition, banks should re-evaluate fee structures, improve service reliability, and increase merchant and customer adoption of POS and mobile payment platforms to unlock profitability potential. Collaboration with regulators and payment stakeholders is also essential to enhance NEFT efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support wider digital financial ecosystem stability. Overall, a balanced multi-channel digital strategy is crucial for long-term profitability and competitive resilience in Nigeria’s evolving financial technology landscape

In Nigeria, taxation plays a vital role in generating revenue for the government to fund public goods and services. However, tax evasion and non-compliance have remained significant challenges, resulting in substantial revenue losses. The current study examined tax audit effectiveness and tax compliance in Nigeria. The main purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which tax audit effectiveness impacts on tax compliance. Thereby reducing tax evasion. The study employed a descriptive survey research design, with respondents drawn from staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Benin City, Edo State. A sample of 84 respondents were selected from a total population of 538 using the Taro Yamane’s sample size determination formula at 10% standard error of estimates. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple percentages and frequency. Result obtained from the study revealed that the effectiveness of tax audit significantly impacts on tax compliance. Similarly, the findings shows that audit frequency, audit quality, and the penalty imposed on defaults, significantly impacts on tax compliance. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that despite the relative significance of effective tax audit on tax compliance, the process is bedeviled with a number of challenges such as inadequate enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and a lack of taxpayer education. Following the findings of the study, it is recommended that, audit firms should ensure auditors’ independence and adherence to professional standards, while also implementing advanced data analytics and automated systems can streamline the audit process, making it more efficient and reducing opportunities for corruption. More so, tax enforcement agencies should implement stringent penalties for tax evasion and ensuring their consistent application can deter non- compliance.

This study investigates the role of industrialization in driving economic growth in Nigeria, focusing on key trends, relationships, and policy implications. The research is guided by four
main objectives: to examine the trend in industrial production, assess the trend in economic growth, estimate the relationship between industrialization and economic growth, and provide appropriate policy recommendations. Through the analysis of historical data and the application of econometric techniques, the study uncovers the fluctuating nature of industrial output and its limited but positive impact on Nigeria’s overall economic performance. Despite efforts to promote industrial development, challenges such as infrastructural deficits, policy inconsistencies, and weak institutional support have hindered the sector’s potential to significantly boost economic growth. The findings suggest that a strategic and sustained industrialization agenda—complemented by targeted investments, policy coherence, and enhanced public-private collaboration—is essential to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and achieving long-term growth.

This research explores around innovation and creativity which are the essential drivers of economic growth, competitiveness and sustainability in Nigeria. This study highlights the systemic issues such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient skilled manpower and poor management practices ,which causes lack of innovation and creativity in smes business in Nigeria.T his research was carried out with the distribution of 100 questionnaires using 5 research questions and 4 objectives. Finding suggestions that will improve innovation and creativity in smes business and how it has affect businesses positively. The research underscores the need to create new ideas, putting the innovative ideas into the market that supports smes business in Nigeria.

This study examined the impact of salesman behavioural characteristics on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of assertive behaviour, manipulative behaviour, and passive behaviour on SME sales performance. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to SME operators and sales personnel in Egor, Ovia North East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Edo State. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to respondents using a simple random sampling technique, out of which 89 were successfully retrieved and found valid for analysis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data and test the stated hypotheses. The findings revealed that assertive behaviour has a positive and significant influence on SME sales performance, while manipulative and passive behaviours negatively affect sales outcomes and customer trust. The study concludes that the behavioural disposition of salesmen is a critical determinant of SME performance. It recommends that SME owners prioritize behavioural-based recruitment, continuous sales training, and motivational strategies aimed at fostering assertive and ethical sales practices to enhance enterprise sustainability and contribute to economic development in Nigeria..

The study investigated the tax revenue, institution and public infrastructure in Nigeria. It aimed to examine the impact of tax revenue and institution in public infrastructure in Nigeria. To guide the study, three research questions were raised with three hypotheses tested. The study employed both descriptive and multiple regression analysis with ordinary least
squares (OLS) econometric techniques. The data for the study were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and world development indicators from year 1981 to 2021. Reliability of estimated results was determined by using the economic or ‘a priori’ criteria, statistical criteria and econometric criteria. Data were analysed using Augmented Dickey- Fuller (ADF) test, Johansen cointegration test and Error correction mechanism. The result revealed that, in the long run, there was a significant relationship between tax revenue and infrastructure development in Nigeria. However, in the short run, the study revealed negative impact due to inefficiencies. Also, institutional quality, in the long run, did not have a statistically significant impact on infrastructure development. However, in the short run, there was an initial positive impact of institutional quality on infrastructure development, followed by a negative lagged effect. The results also showed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) had a weak and statistically insignificant positive impact on infrastructure development in Nigeria. Furthermore, public debt had a marginally significant positive impact on infrastructure development in the long run. However, in the short run, public debt had a significant negative impact. Based on these findings, it was recommended that policymakers should enhance tax revenue collection through improved tax administration and tax evasion reduction, and provide efficient funds allocation for infrastructure. It was also recommended that policymakers should strengthen fiscal transparency and institutional quality by focusing on anti-corruption in procurement. Furthermore, government should create a favourable investment climate by reducing regulatory bottlenecks and promoting public-private partnerships to attract infrastructurefocused FDI and also prioritize prudent public debt management, and balance borrowing
with sustainable servicing to maintain fiscal stability. For sustainable economic growth, policymakers should adopt a comprehensive policy framework that combines fiscal discipline, institutional reforms and private sector engagement