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Historical Outlook of the Hamas-Israeli War: Lessons for Nigeria
Get PDFThe existence of conflict within or between nations is as old as time. Conflicts sometimes take the form of disagreements that lead to boycotts or confrontations, such as declared wars. The Israeli War with Palestine is one notorious situation that has remained adamant and unrelenting. In contemporary times, the Palestinian Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah (Hamas)–Israeli war has continued to attract international attention from both individual nations and committees of nations. The history of wars between Israel and its neighbours has remained an interesting study that is neither a tribal nor ethnic-based conflict, but that of legitimate survival and territorial occupation. The interventions by the United Nations (UN) have led to several suggested solutions, such as the creation of two separate states joined economically or the formation of a single binational state. The acceptance of these solutions has remained a mirage that has lingered to date. The Palestinian Hamas–Israeli war leaves a lot of lessons for Nigeria, whose boundaries are shared with four francophone nations. Supposing a similar conventional war erupts between Nigeria and one or an alliance of these francophone nations, would Nigeria be able to contain the aggression just as is the case with the Palestinian Hamas–Israeli experience? It is viewed, therefore, that there is a need for Nigeria to revamp her intelligence network system, rejig her foreign policy content, enlighten the civil society on the need to be vigilant, begin to robustly equip her armed forces as necessary, and heighten her border security with her Francophone neighbours
Oil price, exchange rate fluctuations, and poverty rate in Nigeria
Get PDFThe necessity to determine who benefits from growth and to determine the populace’s perception of their quality of life underscores the urgency of moving beyond GDP metrics. The overarching objective is to comprehensively evaluate the impact of oil price and exchange rate fluctuations on the pursuit of decreasing the poverty rate in an oil-exporting country, focusing on Nigeria from 1987 to 2023. Time-series data are sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin. Philips-Perron unit root tests indicate that the variables are integrated in a different order. The results of the co-integration test show that there is no long-run connection between pump prices for gasoline, oil rents, exchange rates, inflation rates, and the poverty gap in Nigeria. The results revealed that the official exchange rate and oil rents exert an insignificant positive effect on the poverty gap in the short run. Also, the inflation rate had a negative and significant impact on the poverty gap. Furthermore, the pump price for gasoline exerts an insignificant adverse effect on the poverty gap. Based on these findings, this study recommends that policymakers should prioritize stability in economic variables, diversify the economy, and implement targeted poverty alleviation measures. These actions can reduce poverty and foster economic resilience in Nigeria. Also, policies should focus on diversifying the economy away from oil dependence while ensuring oil revenues are effectively invested in poverty-alleviation programs, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. As gasoline prices have an insignificant adverse effect on the poverty gap, subsidy reforms should be carefully designed to redirect resources toward social safety nets that more directly benefit people experiencing poverty
EVALUATING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR ICT INTEGRATION IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS: A SURVEY-BASED ANALYSIS OF POLICY, LEADERSHIP, AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION
No full textWith a focus on three main areas, this study examined the level of administrative support for information and communication technology (ICT) integration in Nigerian schools. Even though ICT infrastructure is becoming more prevalent in educational institutions, integration initiatives frequently fail because of inadequate administrative frameworks. Teachers and administrators in selected schools were given a standardised seven-item questionnaire as part of a descriptive survey design. The findings showed a mixed degree of support. Although the majority of respondents agreed that there are ICT policies and leadership commitment, there are still significant shortfalls in areas like professional development, finance, incentives for ICT use, and ICT coordinator visibility. The absence of strategic motivation methods, restricted training access, and budgetary restrictions were found to be the main obstacles. The results highlight the need for better leadership skills, focused resource planning, and greater policy communication. To ensure fair access and to optimise the educational benefits of ICT, especially in rural and under-resourced areas, it is imperative to strengthen these administrative aspects
INNOVATIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF AND INSTITUTIONAL AGILITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, NIGERIA
No full textThe increased use of digital technology has raised concerns about the academic staff’s innovative teaching strategies and institutional agility in the university system. The study investigated the relationship between academic staff’s innovative teaching strategies and institutional agility at the University of Lagos. Three objectives were stated; three research questions as well as three research hypotheses were answered and tested in the course of the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all 1473 academic staff in the 12 Faculties in the University of Lagos. A sample size of 356 was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Stratified sampling; proportionate sampling and simple random sampling techniques were applied at different stages to select the participants. Data were collected using the Academic Staff Innovative Teaching Strategies and Institutional Agility Questionnaire (ASDCIAQ). The structured questionnaire was a 30-item, 4-point modified Likert-type. The instrument was face and content validated, and a split-half was used to determine the reliability test of the instrument. Online and physical administrations of the questionnaire were employed for data collection. The finding showed a significant relationship between the academic staff's frequency of using blended, hybrid, and flipped classroom teaching strategies and that the academic staff frequency in the use of blended teaching strategy, hybrid teaching strategy and flipped classroom teaching strategy in teaching have significant relationship with institutional agility in the University of Lagos. It was recommended among others that the University should organise constant training for academic staff on the use of digital tools
The Semantics of Kọ́-Negative Constructions in Yoruba
No full textThe presumption in relevant literature is that kọ́ is a nominal constituent negation marker in Yoruba. This position is problematic in two ways: first, it runs contrary to the generally known concept of negation as a denial of a proposition; and second, insights from the semantic and syntactic structure of kọ́-negation constructions show that the scope of kọ́ in that particular context is not just the focused constituent that linearly precedes it, but the totality of the focus construction that serves as its subcategorized complement. This paper investigates the semantics of kọ́-negation constructions in Yoruba via their entailments and presuppositions to examine what they teach about the overall logical interpretations of such constructions. Findings show that kọ́-constructions in the language embed, entail, and presuppose not just the focused item but the simple proposition from which the focused item is extracted. The paper concludes that what is negated in Yoruba kọ́-negative constructions are not just the focused items but the entire proposition from which the focused items are extracted
Assessment of Level of Team Integration among Property Development Stakeholders in Lagos State
No full textAs well established as the concept of integration is in developed countries, it has yet to gain ground in developing nations like Nigeria. Within the context of property development, integration refers to the introduction of working practices, methods and behaviour that create a culture of efficient and effective collaboration between individuals and organisations, thus improving property development outcomes. This study, undertaken in a Nigerian context, addresses the lack of literature on integration and collaboration in property development. It assesses the level of integration among stakeholders in Lagos State, identifying ten parameters of integration and 18 challenges to achieving it. A quantitative survey was conducted with 139 stakeholders, including property investors, developers, building professionals and financiers. The purpose of the survey was to identify what parameters of integration these stakeholders considered most important for effective teamwork, as well as to measure the levels of occurrence of these parameters among property development stakeholders and to identify the most significant challenges and impact of poor integration. The study found that key integration parameters in property development stakeholders in Lagos include a ‘shared vision’, ‘team and process flexibility’, and ‘unrestricted sharing of information’. Despite the presence of a fairly high level of integration, the Lagos property market still falls short of expectations. Major challenges identified were project size, changing team composition, self-centeredness’ among professionals, and the absence of a system for measuring integration. Poor integration negatively impacts project performance, leads to delays and harms team relationships. To improve collaboration, the study recommends investing in collaborative technology, conducting workshops for team cohesion and establishing standard metrics for measuring integration
Digital Transformation in Estate Surveying and Valuation: An Explanatory Study of ICT Utilisation in Lagos Metropolis
No full textThe study assesses the significance of digital transformation in the built environment, focusing on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption among Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Lagos metropolis. The aim of the study is to examine the nexus between ICT adoption and sustainable land management practices. Despite the growing and increasing sophistication of ICT and its opportunities worldwide, Estate Surveyors and Valuers in developing countries including Nigeria are yet to fully embrace ICT in their operations. The purpose of the study is to contribute to academic discourse on digital transformation, and highlighting opportunities for innovative and sustainable land management. Online survey of 86 Estate Surveyors and Valuers was conducted. Descriptive statistics of Frequencies, Percentages and Mean scores were used for the analyses. The finding revealed widespread adoption of basic ICT tools like Microsoft Office Suite and email to enhance service delivery and competitiveness. However, specialized tools such as Geographic Information System are underutilized. Specific challenges were identified, and these include high costs of ICT, insufficient technical skills and inadequate infrastructure. The study concludes that targeted interventions are necessary to improve ICT adoption and promote sustainable land management. The study also recommends capacity building, infrastructure, enhancements and strategic ICT policy interventions to improve professional efficiency and competitiveness
Photovoltaic Integration for Zero Energy Buildings and Architectural Aesthetic Value: A Review
No full textPhotovoltaic (PV) integration in architectural design has become pivotal in achieving Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) while maintaining aesthetic appeal. This review explores the intersection of PV technology and architectural aesthetics, focusing on advancements, challenges and opportunities. The use of Photovoltaic components in building construction is crucial for achieving ZEB status, which is the onsite generation of a building’s annual energy need through a renewable source. PV technology has evolved significantly, moving beyond traditional rooftop installations to incorporate innovative solutions such as BuildingIntegrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). BIPV seamlessly integrates PV elements into building materials like windows, facades and roofs, thereby enhancing both energy efficiency and visual appeal. Design considerations encompass aspects such as colour, texture, transparency and pattern, which ensure that PV elements harmonize with overall building aesthetics. This study presents the outcome of the review of 28 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2024. Case studies and best practices from around the globe were also used to illustrate successful implementations of PV integration in architectural projects. These examples highlight diverse approaches to balancing energy performance with aesthetic values across different building types and climates. Looking forward, future research directions include enhancing the performance and lifespan of PV materials, integrating smart technologies for optimal energy management and developing standards and guidelines for PV-integrated architectural design. Such advancements will drive the mainstream adoption of ZEBs while enhancing their architectural appeal. In conclusion, PV integration for ZEBs represents a dynamic field where technological innovation intersects with architectural creativity in the development of sustainable buildings that embody both energy efficiency and aesthetic excellence
Localising 3D Construction Printing: A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Material Feasibility and Artisan Perceptions in Nigeria
No full textRapid urbanisation and a housing deficit in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja (the federal capital territory), have intensified the need for innovative and cost-effective solutions to deliver affordable housing. This study examines how three-dimensional construction printing (3DCP) could resolve the affordable housing construction in Nigeria, as its contribution towards the realisation of sustainable development. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, including interviews with brick masons and a review of case studies from Malawi and Kenya. The interviews provide insights into motivation, experiences, and perspectives, while the case studies highlight their feasibility for low-income earners, despite challenges like inflation and high construction costs. Findings from the study indicate that 3DCP homes can be produced at a fraction of conventional costs, with estimates suggesting savings of 30-50%, while significantly shortening project timelines. Case studies from experimental builds reveal that locally sourced materials, such as stabilised earth and recycled construction waste, can be adapted for 3D printing, further enhancing affordability and sustainability. Empirical evidence from the interviews of artisans and surveys indicates conditional acceptance of the technology. This is shaped by concerns about skills relevance, material performance, and access to training, reinforcing the value of combining technical analysis with practitioner perspectives. However, barriers such as limited technical expertise, regulatory hurdles, and initial capital investment remain critical challenges. This paper concludes that 3DCP can help address Nigeria’s housing problem by reducing costs, speeding up construction, and using eco-friendly materials. When aligned with existing housing frameworks, the technology offers a practical pathway to expand affordable housing delivery in Nigeria, providing scalable solutions that benefit low-income populations and contribute to the urban housing system