Wukari International Studies Journal
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THE ROLE OF URBANISATION IN DRIVING FINTECH ADOPTION: EVIDENCE FROM THE GLOBAL FINDEX DATASET
Get PDFResearch Problem: While FinTech adoption has been widely studied through factors such as income, education, and gender, the influence of urbanisation remains underexplored. Given the growing role of digital financial services in global inclusion strategies, there is a need to understand how spatial location shapes adoption patterns.
Methods/Theory: This study draws on data from the World Bank Global Findex Database (2014, 2017, 2021). Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation theory, and Financial Inclusion frameworks, it employs descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. Country–demographic groups serve as the unit of analysis, enabling a comparison between urban and rural populations across regions and income levels.
Results: Findings show that urban residents consistently exhibit higher adoption rates than rural populations, with an average global gap of 9.8 percentage points. The relationship is statistically significant (t = 3.59, p < 0.001, d = 0.64). The gap is most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, though ANOVA results on income-level differences did not reach statistical significance due to limited sample size. Younger and higher-income groups in urban settings also display stronger adoption rates.
Conclusion: Urbanisation is a structural driver of FinTech adoption, with infrastructural advantages concentrated in cities.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study extends behavioural models of FinTech adoption by integrating spatial and infrastructural dimensions, demonstrating that geography is as critical as individual demographics.
Recommendation: Policy interventions must target rural infrastructure, digital literacy, and inclusive regulation to narrow spatial divides in FinTech adoption
EMPOWERING EDUCATORS: THE ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY IN ICT UTILIZATION AMONG LECTURERS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN KADUNA STATE
Get PDFResearch Problem: Despite national efforts to promote digital integration, the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Nigerian Colleges of Education remains limited. Many lecturers recognize ICT’s potential for improving teaching and learning, yet low self-efficacy continues to hinder its consistent use. This study investigates how lecturers’ self-efficacy influences ICT utilization in Colleges of Education in Kaduna State.
Methods/Theory: Anchored on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the study employed a quantitative survey design. Data were collected from 274 lecturers selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire measured self-efficacy and ICT utilization with strong reliability (α = 0.91 and α = 0.87, respectively). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression with SPSS version 23, at a 0.05 significance level.
Results: Findings showed that lecturers had moderately high self-efficacy (M = 3.89) but only moderate ICT utilization (M = 3.25). Self-efficacy was positively and significantly related to ICT utilization (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and explained 50% of the variance in utilization. Lecturers with higher qualifications demonstrated greater self-efficacy and more frequent ICT use.
Conclusion: Self-efficacy serves as both a catalyst and a barrier to ICT utilization, as confidence does not always translate into consistent practice without institutional support.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study extends Social Cognitive Theory by confirming self-efficacy as a key psychological driver of ICT integration in teacher education.
Recommendation: Colleges of Education should implement continuous, practice-oriented ICT training and provide supportive infrastructure and incentives to strengthen lecturers’ self-efficacy and promote sustainable ICT utilization
FROM CONFLICT TO COOPERATION: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Get PDFCivil Society Organizations (CSOs) have emerged as critical actors in peacebuilding, particularly in conflict-prone regions such as the Niger Delta of Nigeria. This study examines the roles, functions, and impacts of CSOs in fostering peace, resolving conflicts, and promoting sustainable development in Niger Delta Local Government Area. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of peace, conflict, displacement, violence, and hostilities, the research highlights how CSOs serve as intermediaries between communities, government, and development actors. Their interventions, including conflict mediation, advocacy, social cohesion programs, service delivery, and peace education, address underlying causes of conflict, promote reconciliation, and mitigate displacement. Despite challenges such as limited resources, weak institutional support, and occasional resistance from stakeholders, CSOs remain indispensable in cultivating positive peace and community resilience. The study concludes that sustained engagement and capacity-building of CSOs are essential for effective peacebuilding and recommends enhancing their technical, financial, and institutional capabilities, promoting community participation, establishing early-warning mechanisms, fostering collaboration, advocating policy support, and monitoring the impact of peace initiatives. These findings underscore the transformative potential of civil society in achieving inclusive, long-term peace in conflict-affected regions
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A MORAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
Get PDFResearch Problem:
This study investigates the emerging intersection between ethical leadership and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern organizations, with special emphasis on Africa’s developmental landscape. As AI reshapes governance, management, and decision-making, it introduces significant moral questions concerning justice, accountability, and human dignity.
Methods:
The study employs a descriptive and analytical research approach to examine how the core virtues of ethical leadership, integrity, transparency, empathy, and accountability can guide the responsible use of AI for human welfare.
Results:
Findings reveal that while AI offers substantial opportunities for organizational efficiency and development, it also poses ethical challenges such as algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, opacity in decision-making, and job displacement. The research establishes that ethical leadership functions as the necessary moral compass that ensures AI becomes a tool for human flourishing rather than an instrument of inequality or control.
Conclusion:
Drawing from biblical principles of stewardship and justice, the study concludes that leaders must regard AI not merely as technological advancement but as a sacred trust requiring wisdom, compassion, and moral discernment. Within the African context, meaningful progress depends on harmonizing AI with indigenous values and Christian ethical principles to ensure sustainable and equitable development.
Key Contribution to Knowledge:
The study offers a contextual framework demonstrating how ethical leadership grounded in moral and spiritual values can foster responsible AI deployment in Africa. It highlights the integration of technological innovation with righteousness, justice, and communal well-being.
Recommendations:
The research recommends strengthening ethical leadership formation, promoting AI governance policies rooted in justice and transparency, integrating indigenous and Christian ethical values into AI adoption, and encouraging leaders to uphold moral responsibility in shaping an inclusive and spiritually conscious technological society
CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSES TO THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR ON FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA
Get PDFRussia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sparked a highly international violent conflict, which has been global in impact. The conflict’s global impact has manifested in severe disruption to global agricultural systems and activities, resulting in food insecurity. As shown in food inflation, Nigeria has borne the brunt of this impact, resulting in heightened food insecurity. However, how civil society has responded has remained a knowledge gap amidst the developing corpus of literature. This paper fills this gap by interrogating civil society's responses to the conflict. Using a qualitative approach and drawing on the Human Security Theory (HST) as its theoretical framework, the paper finds that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly disrupted global supply chains, with Nigeria experiencing severe impacts due to its reliance on imports of fertilisers and agricultural commodities. The war halted fertiliser deliveries from Russia, a key supplier, due to logistical challenges and sanctions, leading to months-long delays and reduced agricultural productivity. This strain on farming inputs has further deepened food insecurity in Nigeria, particularly for small-scale farmers who struggled to afford increasingly scarce and expensive fertilisers. The findings reveal that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly disrupted global supply chains, with Nigeria experiencing severe impacts due to its reliance on imports of fertilisers and agricultural commodities. The war halted fertiliser deliveries from Russia, a key supplier, due to logistical challenges and sanctions, leading to months-long delays and reduced agricultural productivity. This strain on farming inputs has further deepened food insecurity in Nigeria, particularly for small-scale farmers who struggled to afford increasingly scarce and expensive fertilisers
FACILITATORS' PERCEIVED INSTRUCTIONAL CHALLENGES OF ONLINE FACILITATION IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL) INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA
Get PDFOnline facilitation creates an online learning platform that establishes a new learning environment and provides multidimensional learning possibilities. This study focuses on the facilitators and perceived instructional challenges of online facilitation in open and distance learning (ODL) institutions in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The population for the study consists of the open and distance learning facilitators in approved ODL universities in Nigeria. Three out of the six geopolitical zones were randomly selected, and one distance learning university was also randomly selected from each zone to make three ODL universities used for the study. The same simple random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of facilitators in the three universities. Two hundred and two facilitators (202) participated in the study. One research question and three hypotheses were raised. One instrument was developed, which is the Facilitators Perceived Instructional Challenges Inventory Scale (FPICIS), and a reliability coefficient value of 0.76 was obtained using Cronbach's Alpha. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding reveals that the mean difference in the level of significance (p > 0.05) shows that the facilitators’ age, and discipline had no significant effect on the perceived instructional challenges confronting online facilitation as a medium of instructional delivery but facilitators’ academic cadre had significant effect on perceived instructional challenges confronting online facilitation. It was therefore recommended that, in implementing online facilitation in Nigerian institutions, university management should consider the age, academic cadre, and discipline of facilitators for them to become active participants in implementing online facilitation
PRIMARY EDUCATION IN LAGOS STATE: IDENTIFYING THE GAPS IN SERVICE DELIVERY
Get PDFEducation is a valuable social asset that generates a plethora of externalities that permeate all aspects of society. Consequently, governments must ensure the efficient and effective provision of education as a public service. To achieve this, appropriate structures and management processes must be put in place to meet the educational needs of citizens. This study examines the delivery of primary education in Lagos before and after 1999, utilizing a historical approach to trace the evolution of structures and processes established for primary education delivery. Additionally, quantitative secondary data is employed to evaluate primary education outcomes in the state. While the state has made significant progress, the insufficient collaboration with local government councils and inequitable distribution of primary education facilities have impeded intended outcomes, as evidenced by overcrowded classrooms and a high number of out-of-school children. Delegating some responsibilities to local government councils would promote better collaboration between the state and local governments, and reallocating resources to areas with inadequate educational facilities would enhance educational outcomes
SOCIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF VOTE BUYING IN NORTH-WEST ZONE OF NIGERIA: THE STUDY OF THE 2015 AND 2019 ELECTIONS
Get PDFVote buying is a widespread phenomenon in Nigeria. It involves an exchange in which the voters sell their votes to the buyer for money during election. This phenomenon has impacted negatively in the Nigeria’s free and fair election processes. The ill competent ones occupied elective political positions because they used money to secured votes, while the qualified ones were left behind hence, they were unable to use money during primary and secondary elections. The objective of the study was to find out the impact of vote buying on electing people to various political positions in North West Zone of Nigeria. The theory of Collective Action was used in explaining the study findings. Two different but complementary methods of data collections (questionnaire and in-depth interview) were used to obtained the needed information. The findings revealed among others that; sometimes credible candidates were denied opportunity to even contest, that many of those that were able to buy their ways were not been able to perform to expectations, etc. The study recommended among others; that more political awareness against vote buying should be put in place, that laws prohibiting votes buying should be implemented accordingly etc
THE NUREMBERG TRIAL AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: AN APPRAISAL
Get PDFPrior to the Nuremberg trial, war crimes of international magnitude were tried on the state actors. The Versailles Treaty of 1919 which would have brought nation-states to order failed as the result of retribution from the great powers. Closely, the Lieber code of 1863, customary international law, and Briand Kellog pact of 1928 provided a very good playground for international peace and order and it was on this basis that the Nuremberg trial took its shape fostered by Henry Dunant’s book; A Memory of Solferino in 1864. The book codifies international humanitarian law and is a reference for the codes of the military tribunal at Nuremberg for the trial of the Nazi leaders for war crimes against humanity after the Second World War. The paper delves into the study of the Nuremberg trial and its contribution to the development of international humanitarian law at the Geneva Convention. An analytical approach was used as methodology and written sources were consulted. The findings reveal that the trial enhanced the codification of international humanitarian law by holding responsible individual’s crime under the law in the 1949 Geneva Convention article, the formation of the International Criminal Court, and the Right to Protect. However, the trial was criticized for ethnic cleansing and partiality against the German race. The post-Nuremberg trials of individuals under international humanitarian law provided a new order not only for the law of war but also for medical experimentation and Human Rights which will contribute to the burgeoning literature on International Humanitarian Law and the law of war
ÒRÌSÀ-OKO: THE SPIRITUAL OINTMENT FOR FARMER’S BREAKTHROUGH IN IGBETI, OYO, NIGERIA
No full textÒrìsà-Oko is a divinity connected to farming in Igbeti area of Oyo State. It is a festival celebrated once a year by farmers so they will not be plunged into primeval darkness of infertility during harvest. By implication, Òrìsà-Oko is a deity of fertility. The priests of the deity, during the festival are carefully functioning as religious leaders and are consciously precept to every rule as everything becomes invalid if one rule is obliterated. During the festival, the priests put up a sterling and stellar performance not only to religionize the process but to humorously entertain thecguests. That is why traders are allowed to sell bear, gin and all manner of local foods and traditional dancers are allowed to entertain those in attendance. Òrìsà-Oko, being the Yoruba deity of harvests, fertility, farmers is very important in the theoratic setting of the people and the deity deserves scholarly attention with a view to investigating its socio-cultural importance and its religious indispensability among farmers in the study area. Despite various studies on the deity, scholars have not discussed how important the deity is, to the farmers in Igbeti Primary and Secondary sources were used to elicit information. Òrìsà-Oko is very important among farmers in Igbeti, so much so that, if bad harvest is experienced, the farmers attribute it to the anger of the deity and the latter is immediately appeased to avoid future occurrence. The tradition of celebrating the deity must not be carpeted to ensure constant food security