Wukari International Studies Journal
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DIGITAL FEMINISM AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN MOBILIZING GENDER-INCLUSIVE PEACE MOVEMENTS
Full text linkWithin the wave of online mobilization, a vibrant form of activism known as digital feminism has emerged, spearheaded largely by women who challenge patriarchal norms, amplify marginalized voices, and demand structural change in society. While existing studies have explored women’s roles in peace processes, few have specifically interrogated how digital technologies are reshaping feminist engagement in peacebuilding across diverse sociopolitical landscapes. Drawing on comparative case studies from Nigeria, Sudan, and Colombia, this research contributes to scholarship by investigating how women strategically use digital platforms to challenge patriarchal structures, mobilize support, and advocate for inclusive peace and justice. Findings revealed that digital tools enabled women to amplify marginalized voices, mobilize support, and document abuses, thereby reshaping peace narratives and fostering inclusive participation. In Nigeria, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign highlighted the gendered nature of violence and demanded accountability. Sudanese women leveraged social media during the 2019 revolution to resist repression and advocate for gender quotas in governance. Colombian women used digital platforms for truth-telling and reconciliation, foregrounding issues of sexual violence and land rights. Despite these advancements, challenges such as online harassment, surveillance, and limited access to digital tools persisted, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. The study concluded that while digital feminism offers innovative pathways for peace advocacy, it cannot substitute for institutional reforms and intersectional policy change. Recommendations include integrating feminist perspectives into tech governance and peace frameworks, investing in digital training for women peacebuilders, and creating regional digital platforms for collaboration among women in conflict-affected areas. This research contributes to the understanding of digital feminism's unique role in peacebuilding, emphasizing the need for inclusive and participatory approaches to conflict transformation
DIVIDEND POLICY AND CORPORATE PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIAN FIRMS
Full text linkManaging corporate dividend had forever being a fragile task that requires understanding and consideration of the managerial and business growth variables that are attached to it. This study examined the relationship between corporate dividend policy and the corporate performance of Nigerian manufacturing firms, via three of the literature posited corporate performance indicators: Firm’s Profitability, Investments, and Earnings-per-Share, which existing related studies had ignored. The study was built on Ross and Mitnick’s 1973 and 1975 Agency theory of corporate behaviour. It is a quantitative research design that x-rays a sectoral population of about 173 NSE’s listed Nigerian manufacturing companies, from which twenty-five (25) stratifiedly selected manufacturing samples were tested, covering a period of 10 years (i.e., 2014 to 2024). Two of the dividend theories (Irrelevance and Flow-of-funds) were empirically verified in quest to ascertain their relevance and position. Data gathered were empirically analyzed using, Econometric and Multiple-regression technique, coupled with the t-test reliability mechanisms. The study in its contribution to the wealth of knowledge, established in contrast to most existing related studies that significant positive relationship exists among a firm’s dividend policy, its corporate investments, profitability, and earnings-per-share: the tested indicators of firm’ corporate performance. And it is on the basis of these revelations that the study recommends to the managers of manufacturing companies in Nigeria, to adopt much flexible dividend policy pattern that is educative and communicative enough, to assist them, motivate and convince corporate investors towards prioritizing the need for re-investment of their dividend yields over immediate cash-out in their contribution towards aiding improved corporate performances and desired growth
THE ALLIANCE OF SAHEL STATES (ALLIANCE DES ÉTATS DU SAHEL, AES) AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR ECOWAS PROTOCOL ON FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS
Full text linkThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Free Movement Protocol, established to enhance regional integration by facilitating the unrestricted movement of people across member states, is one of the organisation’s hallmark achievements. However, the recent political realignments within the Sahel, particularly the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS and their subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), presents a significant challenge to the protocol’s effectiveness. The AES, emerging as a breakaway political entity in response to ECOWAS sanctions following military coups in these countries, poses critical questions regarding the future of regional mobility and integration in West Africa. This paper aims to explore the implications of the AES on the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, focusing on the legal, political, and institutional contradictions arising from the divergence of these states from ECOWAS norms. The paper is anchored on the proposition of Structural Realism as a theoretical framework of analysis. Through a qualitative, document-based discourse analysis, the paper identifies how the formation of AES threatens the operational continuity of the protocol, suggesting potential reversals in decades of regional integration gains. The findings indicate that the AES alliance, with its divergent policies and legal stances, undermines the core principles of free movement and presents significant challenges to the broader ECOWAS agenda of regional unity. Given these, the study echoes the need for ECOWAS to strengthen regional dialogue and adaptive security cooperation with AES members, and as well develop transitional frameworks and joint infrastructure for mobility and security to enable AES countries to participate in critical aspects of regional mobility and trade, even outside formal ECOWAS structures
THE MENACE OF BANDITRY AND KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF SHEIKH GUMI'S MEDIATORY ROLE IN THE RELEASE OF GREENFIELD UNIVERSITY KIDNAPPED STUDENTS
Full text linkThe increase in banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria has created significant security challenges in recent years, particularly with attacks on educational institutions where students are abducted for ransom. Military and non-military strategies have been employed to address these problems but have not yielded the desired result, highlighting the potential of a mediation strategy. Studies on the menace of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria are largely focused on their causes and sustenance, typology and military solution with less attention on mediation as a solution strategy. This study, therefore, examines the mediatory strategy employed by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi during the kidnapping of Greenfield University students. Utilising a qualitative research design, including case study and ex post facto methodologies, the findings indicate that Sheikh Gumi's mediation efforts played a crucial role in securing the release of the abducted students. The study also reveals that Gumi's informal mediation approach demonstrated elements of established mediation techniques including co-mediation, shuttle, and evaluative mediation. Consequently, the findings suggest that mediation can serve as an effective alternative strategy to address this security issue in Nigeria, and it recommended that the government promote such methods to combat banditry and foster peace and security in the nation
TECHNOLOGICAL SELF-EFFICACY AND ONLINE DATABASE ACCESS AS PREDICTORS OF AI USABILITY FOR RESEARCH AMONG SOCIAL SCIENCES LECTURERS IN OYO STATE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
Full text linkThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic research has transformed knowledge production, yet its adoption among social sciences lecturers in colleges of education remains underexplored. While existing studies on AI usability in academia predominantly focus on science and technology disciplines, limited attention has been given to social sciences educators, who play a crucial role in shaping pedagogical and policy frameworks. Moreover, prior research has examined technological self-efficacy and access to online research databases as independent factors influencing digital engagement, but few studies have investigated their combined impact on AI usability for research. This study bridges these gaps by analysing how technological self-efficacy and access to online research databases jointly predict AI usability among social sciences lecturers in colleges of education in Oyo State, Nigeria. Using a correlational research design, data were collected from 110 lecturers through a structured questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed that both technological self-efficacy and access to online research databases significantly influence AI usability, jointly explaining 65% of its variance. The study provides empirical evidence that institutional access to digital resources moderates the effect of individual technological self-efficacy on AI adoption in research. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on digital literacy training, this study highlights the necessity of addressing infrastructural constraints alongside individual competency development. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and institutional administrators seeking to enhance AI adoption in research, ensuring equitable access to digital resources, and fostering a technologically competent academic workforce
MILITARY INTERVENTION AND ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA’S POLITICAL EVOLUTION, 1966-1979
Full text linkBeginning from the sixties of the twentieth century, military ascendancy was a major feature that exerted masculinity on Nigeria’s political evolution. This accounted for the different experiences of military intervention and administration almost throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Essentially, the long-term impact of military governance in Nigeria’s socio-political and economic development trajectory warrants more critical analysis. In light of this, the paper explores the military in the Nigerian political landscape from 1966, when the first military coup took place, to 1979, which marks the end of its first phase, which was succeeded by the second Nigerian republic. The paper adopts the conventional historical method, relying on secondary sources for its exploration. The paper found out that beyond the usual alibi of civilian incompetence, socioeconomic underdevelopment, corruption as well as electoral crisis; insurgent tendencies arising from ethnic nationalities as well as secessionist agitation were central to military intervention and administration in Nigeria during the period under evaluation. The paper concludes with reflections on the vestiges of military intervention and administration on Nigeria’s civilian political culture and thereby recommends that attempts to address Nigeria’s contemporary political acrimonies must necessarily appreciate the historical context and experiences of the nation’s military governance, particularly between 1966 and 1979
E-COMMERCE LOGISTICS EFFICIENCY, DELIVERY COSTS, AND ONLINE PURCHASE FREQUENCY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkRising delivery costs and inconsistent logistics performance pose significant challenges to sustaining consumer engagement in South Africa’s digital commerce environment. This study investigated the influence of e-commerce logistics efficiency and average delivery cost per order on online purchase frequency. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model and Last-Mile Delivery Theory, the study employed a quantitative, explanatory design using secondary data from reputable sources, including Statista, UNCTAD, and the South African E-commerce Insights Report. The target population comprised South African online shoppers, with a sample drawn through purposive selection of datasets covering 36 monthly observations between 2020 and 2024. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the direct effects of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Findings revealed that higher logistics efficiency significantly increased purchase frequency, while elevated delivery costs harmed repeat buying behavior. The study concluded that enhancing delivery operations and offering cost-sensitive shipping strategies are essential to deepening consumer loyalty. It recommends the adoption of tracking technologies and loyalty-based delivery discounts.
 
A PERCEPTION OF EUPHEMISTIC-COINAGE AND CREATIVITY OF YOUTHS IN AKOKOLAND
Full text linkResearch Problem: Although euphemism has received scholarly attention in other contexts, little research has examined its communicative and social functions among Nigerian youths. In Akokoland, Ondo State, euphemistic expressions are central to daily interaction and identity formation, yet their linguistic creativity and cultural roles remain underexplored, particularly in rural–urban multilingual settings influenced by migration.
Methods/Theory: This study applies the ethnography of communication framework (Hymes, 1964) and politeness theory (Brown and Levinson, 1987). Data were obtained from 200 participants between the ages of 20 and 25 across seven Akoko towns through participant observation, unstructured interviews, and audio recordings of natural conversations. Transcriptions were analyzed ethnographically to identify the cultural and pragmatic roles of euphemistic coinages.
Results: The findings show that euphemisms are not simply substitutes for forbidden expressions but function as creative linguistic tools that promote politeness, reinforce cultural norms, and maintain social balance. Youths skillfully combine indigenous languages, Nigerian Pidgin, and English to produce innovative expressions. These coinages demonstrate linguistic competence and stylistic originality while reflecting the interplay between cultural tradition and modern identity.
Conclusion: Euphemism is a marker of cultural identity and an important means of ensuring social harmony. It enables youths to negotiate meaning, avoid conflict, and foster peaceful group cohesion.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study enriches sociolinguistic scholarship by demonstrating how Nigerian youths construct identity and preserve culture through euphemistic creativity.
Recommendation: Further studies should consider broader comparative investigations in other diverse Nigerian regions nationwide and integrate findings into language education and cultural preservation initiatives
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS IN THE TIV-JUKUN LAND DISPUTE IN TARABA STATE
Full text linkResearch Problem: This article examines the enduring land conflict between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Taraba State, Nigeria. The conflict centers on land as a resource essential to survival, identity, and political relevance. Despite multiple peace initiatives, the dispute recurs, highlighting the limitations of existing interventions and the neglect of deeper structural issues.
Methods/Theory: The article employs a qualitative approach, using documentary analysis and interpretive methods to explore the causes and peacebuilding responses. It is grounded in Realistic Conflict Theory, which links intergroup conflict to competition over scarce resources, and uses the conflict tree model to analyze immediate, underlying, and structural causes.
Results: Findings reveal that land represents more than a resource; it symbolizes power, belonging, and recognition. The conflict follows a cyclical pattern, re-emerging with heightened intensity despite efforts at resolution. Traditional mechanisms and state-led peacebuilding have proven inadequate, often failing to address the root causes or provide long-term stability.
Conclusion: The Tiv-Jukun conflict illustrates the failure of superficial interventions to resolve deeply embedded disputes. Structural inequalities and historical grievances must be addressed to achieve lasting peace.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: By applying Realistic Conflict Theory and the conflict tree, the article offers a fresh perspective on the persistence of ethnic land conflicts in Nigeria, emphasizing the roles of resource competition and identity.
Recommendation: The article advocates for inclusive, community-driven peacebuilding, and mobilization of social and intellectual resources to tackle structural causes and build trust
THE HISTORICAL APPLICATION OF ISLAMIC INHERITANCE LAW IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA
Full text linkResearch Problem: Islamic inheritance law is a divinely ordained legal framework crucial to Muslim societies, yet its administration in South-West Nigeria has faced historical and socio-legal challenges. The research problem addressed in this study is the marginalisation of Islamic inheritance law under colonial and postcolonial legal frameworks, and how Yoruba Muslims have sustained its practice despite constitutional and procedural constraints.
Methodology/Theory: The study employed a historical-analytical methodology grounded in legal pluralism theory. It drew on primary Islamic legal texts, archival materials, colonial records and secondary scholarly literature to trace the trajectory of Islamic inheritance law from pre-colonial times to the present.
Results: Findings revealed that although the colonial and postcolonial governments in South-West Nigeria systematically excluded Sharīʿah from the official legal system, Yoruba Muslims maintained the administration of inheritance law through resilient and adaptive mechanisms. Institutions such as mosque-based mediation councils, fatwa houses, Muslim organisations and Sharīʿah Arbitration Panels (SAP) have provided platforms for dispute resolution. These institutions now operate under Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and provisions for alternative dispute resolution.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the resilience of Yoruba Muslim communities has enabled the continuity of Islamic inheritance law despite systemic marginalisation. Their efforts illustrate the adaptability of Sharīʿah principles within plural legal systems.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study demonstrates how Yoruba Muslim communities have sustained Islamic inheritance law through informal yet legitimate institutions, thereby enriching debates on legal pluralism, resilience, and the accommodation of Islamic law in postcolonial African societies.
Recommendation: The study recommends that policymakers in South-West Nigeria should formally recognise Sharīʿah law, strengthen the training of Muslim jurists, and foster collaboration between customary, Islamic and statutory legal practitioners to ensure equitable inheritance distribution among Muslim families