Wukari International Studies Journal
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TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS A PANACEA FOR CURBING BANDITRY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA
Full text linkBanditry is among the major security trepidations stifling development in the Northwest and Nigeria at large. This has heighted insecurity and internal displacements in the region with humanitarian issues as farmers have limited access to their farms. Despite government’s attempts to end insecurity in the region it has been proven abortive. This paper therefore examined leadership challenge in inculcating technical education in the context of unending banditry in Northwest Nigeria. Relying on secondary sources, the paper drew extensively from the state fragility theory and posited that the lackadaisical attitudes of Nigerian government to introduce technical and vocational education has caused a lot of challenges to the ever-growing population that relies on farming and pastoralism for survival. The paper submitted that governments of the Northwest Nigeria have not invested in technical education which has made the youth vulnerable to banditry. The paper concluded that until the government invest in formal education that is technically inclined to get the youth engaged, banditry will continue to be the order of the day. To do this government has to direct the budgetary allocation to education with sincerity of releasing the budgeted funds for the implementation of technical oriented educational programmes for the youths. Also, the stake holders have to engage the youth in meaningful projects to make them self-sustaining. This can start with abolishing the Almajiri system in the region so that parents will be held responsible for the upbringing of their children
FEMINISM AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA: A REVIEW
Full text linkIt is a universal fact that women, unlike men gender used to be marginalized, oppressed, abused, and deprived their socio-economic, educational, political and legal rights. This necessitated a broader global feminist movement to advocate for equal rights and opportunities of all genders. This paper titled "Feminism and Gender Discrimination in Northeast Nigeria: A Theoretical Perspective on Northeastern Nigeria" presents an attempt to examine the existing discrimination of women with regards to their socio-economic, political, educational and legal rights in Northeastern Nigeria. The paper uses secondary source of data collection through major instruments such as textbooks, journals, online publications, among others, while content method of data analysis was explored in the analysis of the data collated. The research also employs Legal feminist theories as its theoretical framework. Some of the findings of the paper reveals that, religion, culture, societal division of labour, among other things, contribute a lot in promoting gender discrimination in Northeastern Nigeria. The paper recommends for a designed policy that is "northeastern-centric" in nature that would address a notion of "men gender naturally ahead"; strengthen the activities of nongovernmental organizations for their advocacy against gender discrimination, and so forth
DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATION AND MEDIATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT APPROACH TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Full text linkDiplomatic negotiation and mediation emerged as critical instruments in conflict resolution; these processes not only aim to halt hostilities but also lay the groundwork for conflict resolution and sustainable peace. The study examined various approaches to diplomatic negotiation and mediation, highlighting their roles in resolving intrastate and interstate conflicts. It specifically focuses on the conflict resolution strategies employed in the Nigerian-Cameroonian Bakassi Peninsula and the Niger Delta conflicts. The study methodology is historical and premised on the use of secondary data. Thus, the study contends that both conflicts involved extensive diplomatic negotiations and mediation efforts, emphasising peaceful resolution over military confrontation. The Bakassi Peninsula dispute was primarily an interstate conflict resolved through legal frameworks and international mediation. At the same time, the Niger Delta crisis was an intrastate conflict resolved through socio-economic solutions and local mediation efforts. The Bakassi dispute relied heavily on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and the involvement of the United Nations. In contrast, the Niger Delta crisis relied on the Nigerian government's developmental commissions in the region and the Amnesty program. The study concludes that diplomatic negotiation and mediation, when effectively implemented, can lead to lasting peace and stability in any society
DIGITAL MICROFINANCE PLATFORMS ON FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN POST-CONFLICT REGIONS WITHIN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Full text linkThis study investigates the transformative potential of digital microfinance platforms in advancing financial inclusion across conflict-affected communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where conventional banking infrastructure remains largely inaccessible. Focusing on Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon as representative cases, the research employs quantitative analysis of survey data collected from 300 adult respondents to evaluate how technological accessibility, digital literacy levels, socioeconomic barriers, and gender dynamics influence adoption patterns. The analysis reveals that intuitive platform interfaces combined with targeted financial education initiatives significantly enhance service uptake, while persistent affordability constraints and culturally embedded gender disparities continue to impede equitable access. Notably, the study identifies a critical need for localized adaptation of digital financial solutions to address the unique challenges of populations grappling with displacement and fragmented institutional support systems. These findings contribute to ongoing policy discussions about leveraging financial technology for economic recovery in post-conflict scenarios. As a primary recommendation, the study advocates for integrated intervention models that combine low-cost mobile banking platforms with community-based financial capability programs, particularly those designed to empower female entrepreneurs and displaced persons. The research underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration between fintech developers, humanitarian agencies, and local governance structures to create sustainable financial ecosystems in fragile contexts. 
POLITICAL EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR STRONG DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE EXTERNAL WORLD
Full text linkThis article examines the role of political education in fostering sustainable democracy in Nigeria and its significant impact on diplomatic relations with the external world. The link between political education and democracy is a matter of great concern for researchers because of the growing need for the realization of sustainable democracy in developing nations. The role that political education could play in the development of citizens in different democratic societies cannot be over emphasised, because education influences people's understanding of democracy and thus contributes greatly to the stability of democratic regimes and diplomatic relations. This paper argues that political education can deepen and strengthen knowledge and awareness on democracy among citizens in Nigeria. The paper further argues that political education is a foundational instrument for cultivating civic awareness, reducing anti-democratic behaviour, and enhancing Nigeria’s credibility in global affairs. The research adopts a qualitative approach and relied on secondary source of information from scholarly literature and policy documents. Policy recommendations are offered to integrate political education more deeply into Nigeria’s formal and informal educational structures
PAN-AFRICANISM, SOVEREIGNTY, AND THE AFRICAN UNION’S DILEMMA
Full text linkResearch Problem: Pan-Africanism has long served as the ideological foundation for Africa’s pursuit of unity, self-determination, and collective development. The establishment of the African Union (AU) in 2002 was intended to advance this vision beyond the sovereignty-centered limitations of the Organisation of African Unity. However, the enduring tension between Pan-African ideals and the strict defense of state sovereignty continues to undermine the African Union’s capacity to deliver on its integration agenda. The central problem lies in the reluctance of member states to cede authority to supranational institutions, thereby constraining the Union’s ability to act decisively in matters of peace, security, and economic cooperation.
Methods/Theory: The study adopts a qualitative, analytical methodology. Content analysis is employed to evaluate the AU's sovereignty–integration dilemma. Similarly, the research employs intergovernmentalism and neo-functionalism as theoretical frameworks.
Results: Results from the research study reveals that while sovereignty protection remains dominant, incremental integration in functional areas such as trade shows potential for positive spillovers.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Pan-Africanism is hindered by sovereignty but not obsolete.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: This research contributes to debates on African integration by bridging theory and practice, highlighting how sovereignty paradoxes both constrain and create opportunities for gradual functional integration within the AU framework.
Recommendation: The study It recommends reconceptualising sovereignty for collective action, strengthening AU institutions, deepening economic integration, amplifying Africa’s global voice, reinvigorating Pan-African identity through citizen participation, inclusive governance, visionary leadership, and enhanced regional solidarity to address contemporary challenges and harness Africa’s collective potential for sustainable development
NAVIGATING SOCIO-TECHNICAL AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS: A MIXED-METHODS ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA’S TRANSITION LANDSCAPE
Full text linkResearch Problem: Although global attention on energy transition is increasing, limited research has examined how institutional, socio-technical, and relational factors shape renewable energy access and equity in Nigeria. Within the wider African natural resource context, challenges such as political–institutional fragmentation, low public awareness, and governance weaknesses continue to threaten the realisation of a just and inclusive energy transition. These dynamics remain underexplored, particularly in decentralised and community-level settings where energy needs and socio-technical interactions are most pronounced.
Methods/Theory: The study adopts a mixed-methods approach grounded in socio-technical transition theory and institutional analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to examine how institutional fragmentation, governance quality, local awareness, and actor–technology relationships influence renewable energy access. Statistical analysis was complemented by interpretive assessment of community-level dynamics to uncover both structural and behavioural factors shaping energy equity.
Results: Findings reveal that political–institutional fragmentation and governance misalignments significantly impede the effective implementation of national energy transition strategies. Conversely, strong governance practices and higher levels of local awareness enhance renewable energy adoption. Although interactions between actor participation and technology type were not statistically significant, the evidence emphasises the central role of decentralised, community-driven initiatives in promoting equitable and context-appropriate energy outcomes.
Conclusion: Nigeria’s energy transition is shaped by interconnected institutional and socio-technical factors that influence both access and equity. Addressing institutional fragmentation while empowering communities is essential for achieving a just and sustainable transition.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study advances understanding of the institutional and socio-technical determinants of energy equity in sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights how governance quality, awareness, and decentralised engagement intersect to shape renewable energy outcomes.
Recommendation: The study recommends comprehensive institutional reforms, enhanced governance capacity, and participatory, community-centred frameworks to strengthen the equity and effectiveness of energy transitions. Further research should integrate cross-country comparisons and deepen inquiry into local socio-technical innovation
THE ROLE OF CRUDE OIL ON NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Full text linkThe paper examined the role of crude oil on Nigeria’s foreign policy. The paper is qualitative in approach, historical and exploratory methods were used to analyze the data. The paper revealed that crude oil not only contribute in the economy of Nigerian state but also influences its foreign policy objective at the international system. The study found out that Crude oil sustains Nigeria’s economy the over years 80% of revenue in Nigeria is derived from oil. This crude oil in Nigeria but ironically, the huge amount realized from the oil does not really translate to development and improvement of its foreign policy achievement. The paper concludes that foreign policy not only shapes Nigeria’s identity at large but also determines its place and its future in the world. Without exception, the foreign of states in today’s world consider issues of production, exchange, technology, market alliance, economic development, political stability and predictability, quality of governance, and prevailing leadership and its qualities
HOW NIGERIANS’ PRO- AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOURS (MEGAPHONING) AND COMPLIANCE VARIED DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN BASED ON GENDER, AGE, EMPLOYMENT SECTOR, AND POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCE
Full text linkResearch Problem: Risk communication literature on the COVID-19 pandemic often describes government communication to persons at risk but seldom describes citizens’ communication about the government, which is equally important. Therefore, this study investigated Nigerians’ pro-government and anti-government communication behaviours during the pandemic, focusing on how they varied with gender, age, sector of work and political party preference.
Methods: This study adopted a quantitative design, using the survey method. It used a convenience sampling technique to recruit 401 adult Nigerians, among whom 141 (35.2%) were females and 260 (64.8%) were males. The research instrument was an online questionnaire, and the data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.
Results: The T-test analysis showed that the males and workers in the private sector spoke and argued more against the government COVID-19 lockdown policy than the females and workers in the public sector, respectively. Also, the adults spoke and argued more in favour of the lockdown policy and complied more with the regulations than the youths. Participants who did not prefer the political party in government spoke more against the policy and complied less with regulations than participants who preferred the government in power.
Conclusion: The study concluded that variation existed in the communication behaviours of Nigerians and their compliance with lockdown regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on gender, age, employment sector and political party preference
Key Contribution to Knowledge: Nigerians’ demographic and political characteristics accounted for variation in their communication behaviours for and against the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommendation: This study recommends that the variation in Nigerians’ demographic and political characteristics should be considered while designing and implementing government risk communication strategies in tackling pandemics in the future
ELECTRICITY ACCESS AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN WEST AFRICA: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE AND POLICY PATHWAYS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Full text linkElectricity access remains a central challenge and opportunity for sustainable development in West Africa. This study investigates the relationship between electricity access and economic development using panel data from 15 West African countries between 2000 and 2022. Employing fixed-effects, random-effects, and dynamic panel estimators, alongside robustness checks, the analysis examines the impacts of grid-based and off-grid electrification on economic performance. The results indicate that improved electricity access may contribute to higher GDP per capita, enhanced industrial activity, and improved human development outcomes. However, these effects are significantly influenced by the reliability, affordability, and quality of supply. The study further reveals heterogeneity in the impacts across urban and rural areas, with off-grid renewable solutions showing greater inclusivity in rural contexts. Policy implications underscore the need for integrated energy planning that combines technological diversification, targeted subsidy reforms, and institutional capacity strengthening. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable energy transitions in sub-Saharan Africa and highlight avenues for future research that address microeconomic, distributional, and technological dimensions of energy access