Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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LEGAL CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A CREATOR IN PATENT AND COPYRIGHT
No full textArtificial Intelligence has transcended its role as a mere tool to become an independent creator ofliterary, artistic, and inventive works. This evolution challenges traditional intellectual propertylaws, particularly in the domains of patents and copyright, where human authorship and inventorshiphave long been foundational principles. This article critically examines the legal challenges AI-generated works pose to conventional patent and copyright frameworks, with a focus on originality,authorship, and ownership under existing laws. In copyright law, the requirement for humanauthorship raises significant issues regarding the eligibility of AI-generated works for protection.The jurisprudence from jurisdictions such as the United States, the European Union, and Nigeriaunderscores the reluctance of legal systems to recognize AI as an author, often resulting in the denialof copyright protection. Similarly, in patent law, the concept of inventorship remains tethered tohuman ingenuity, as demonstrated by global judicial and administrative rejections of AI-inventedpatents, such as in the DABUS case. This article adopts the doctrinal method of legal research,relying on statutes, case law, and scholarly literature to analyze these doctrinal and policychallenges. It further evaluates whether traditional IP laws can be adapted to accommodate AI as acreator or whether entirely new legal regimes are necessary. In light of these challenges, the articlerecommends a hybrid legal framework that recognizes AI-assisted creations while maintaining a degree of human oversight. It also proposes legislative reforms to redefine authorship and inventorship in a way that accommodates technological advancements
VALUE ADDED TAX ON DIGITAL SERVICES: AN ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA’S APPROACH TOWARDS GLOBAL STANDARDS
No full textThe emergence of digital services has presented significant challenges for tax authorities worldwide,particularly in implementing Value-Added Tax (VAT) on cross-border digital transactions. Nigeriaimplemented VAT on digital services by amending its Finance Act to align with global trends.Compliance and enforcement remain challenging, especially for digital service companies basedoutside the country. This study compares best practices from various global industries, including theEuropean Union, South Africa, India, and Kenya, with Nigeria\u27s VAT policy regarding digitalcommerce. This study employs a doctrinal method and comparative legal analysis to examine theresearch and evaluate the effectiveness of Nigeria\u27s legal system, highlighting areas forimprovement. The findings indicate that while Nigeria\u27s strategy has enhanced revenue from digitaltransactions, inefficiencies arise from shortcomings in enforcement policies, noncompliance bymultinational technology firms, and issues related to double taxation. The paper concludes withpolicy recommendations for the immediate implementation of a stricter enforcement regime andenhanced global cooperation to improve digital tax compliance
IGBO APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM AND THE RIGHT OF THE CHILD TO BASIC EDUCATION: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
No full textInternational, as well as local legal instruments uphold education as a human right. Education ismeant to be free and compulsory at the elementary and fundamental stages and it is the duty of thegovernment to provide it. For Nigeria, according to the Child Rights Act, the fundamental stagesinclude junior secondary education. It is obvious that the form of education meant by these provisionsis the formal and western version. The aim of education has been stated to include, among othergoals, lifting people out of poverty and the provision of a better life. The Igbo Apprenticeship system,which though not formal, has proven to be not only a sure way of lifting people out of poverty, but arecognized means of wealth creation, requires the child to be absorbed at an early stage in order toacquire the full benefit of the model. Should the pursuit of this model be viewed as an infringementof the right of the child to education or can it be categorized as an educational package on its own.The methodology used in this work is doctrinal and the result is a finding that this model does moreto accomplish one of the stated goals of education, especially in a developing country like Nigeria.The government should take steps to formally recognize this model, amend the law to accommodateit and set up an agency to oversee the operations
JUDICIAL ACTIVISM IN NIGERIA: A CATALYST FOR LEGAL DEVELOPMENT OR AN OVERREACH OF POWER?
No full textThe judiciary, as the guardian of justice, wields significant power in interpreting and shaping thelaw. In Nigeria, judicial activism emerged as a transformative force, influencing legal developmentthrough progressive rulings. Proponents viewed it as essential for bridging legislative gaps,safeguarding rights, and fostering socio-legal progress. However, critics argued that it disrupted theseparation of powers, potentially encroaching on legislative and executive functions. This researchcritically examined judicial activism in Nigeria, assessing whether it drove legal advancement orconstituted judicial overreach. Employing a doctrinal methodology with an analytical approach, thestudy relied on primary legal sources such as the 1999 Constitution, judicial precedents, andinternational legal frameworks, alongside secondary sources like scholarly texts and law journals.Findings indicated that judicial activism significantly shaped Nigeria’s legal landscape, expandedconstitutional rights, and addressed legislative deficiencies. Nonetheless, concerns persistedregarding its consistency with the separation of powers. The study recommended institutionalisingof judicial independence, strengthening legal education and continuous judicial training,encouraging public interest litigation among others, to ensure that activism remained withinconstitutional boundaries while fostering legal evolution. Additionally, establishing judicial reviewmechanisms were recommended to provide checks on activist judicial decisions where needed inorder maintain the delicate balance between judicial intervention and democratic governance
JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION, CONFLICTING RULINGS, AND THE INTEGRITY OF PRE-ELECTION DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA
No full textThe Nigerian judiciary plays a pivotal role in resolving pre-election disputes, ensuring that conflicts between individuals, especially those related to political conflicts, are resolved amicably. However, inconsistent rulings, overreliance on technicalities, and political manipulation have eroded public confidence in the electoral process. Against this background, this article critically examines the role of the judiciary in the democratic process, particularly in relation to inter-party conflicts. This work considered the extant legislations on the subject to identify the prospects of the existing legal structure, the challenges inherent in the legal structure, and also infused a comparative analysis of the interpretative role of the judiciary in Nigeria with that of other countries. In carrying out this research, the doctrinal method of data collection was adopted. This method placed reliance on primary and secondary sources of law. The researcher found that the extant legal structure in Nigeria presented significant tensions between substantive justice and procedural justice, including insufficient regulatory frameworks and the various claw-backs in the law. It was recommended that there should be a rethink of judicial interpretation to enhance coherence, predictability, and the integrity of pre-election dispute resolution. Implementing the recommendations in this work would significantly boost the standing of the Nigerian judiciary and solidify its role as a just arbiter of conflicts.
DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMER HOTEL SELECTION IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThis study examined the determinants of consumer hotel selection in Enugu state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study aimed at exploring the effects of hotel attributes including hotel location, service quality, hotel facilities, price of hotel services, and guest security on consumer hotel selection in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study was quantitative in nature and correlational design. The population size was unknown while the sample size was 384. The study used a quota sampling technique in reaching the respondents. The instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was tested using expert opinion while the reliability of the research instrument was tested using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Multiple regression statistical analysis method was used to test the formulated hypotheses at 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that hotel location, service quality, hotel facilities, price of hotel services, and guest security have significant effect on consumer hotel selection in Enugu state, Nigeria.The study recommended that hotel managers in Enugu state Nigeria should considers building hotels in convenient locations, offering quality hotel services, utilizing quality hotel facilities, offering services at competitive prices and ensuring provision of adequate security infrastructure in order to improve consumer’s selection of their hotels.The implication of this is that management of hotels in Enugu state, Nigeria should effectively coordinate all hotel attributes especially those understudy for effective customer services delivery to ensure consumer selection of their hotels. 
BRAND REJUVENATION STRATEGIES: AN ANTIDOTE OF AGEING BRAND OF OMO DETERGENT SOAP
No full textUnder the correct conditions, revitalizing a dormant brand can be a very successful tactic. It is widely accepted that growing older is the most welcome change in life. Many businesses have watched their brands loss their relevance over time, and this has dwindled their market share and ultimately, sales revenue. The study examined the effect of brand rejuvenation strategies on marketing performance of Omo detergent soap in Nigeria, using a cross- sectional survey design. The sample population of the study is two hundred (200) respondents from Unilever Nigeria, producer (Omo) detergent. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse, data collected, while stated hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The findings revealed that celebrity endorsement, brand innovativeness/creativity and logo have significant influence on marketing performance of Omo. Thus, the authors conclude that for the product to regain its market share, it is imperative that Unilever embarks on aggressive revitalisation of the products quality and strategically re-position the brand in the minds and hearts of the final consumers. The conclusion stated that companies should be more aggressive because it is necessary to change the product attribute and introduce newer products with more uses in order to make the products more marketable. The recommendation of the study suggests that businesses should employ more brandrejuvenating tactics that try to alter consumers\u27 perceptions
Time Series Analysis of Wind Speed Variability over parts of the United Kingdom from Satellite Altimetry and Implications for Engineering Infrastructure
No full textWind speed is a potential source of wind energy of immense socio-economic benefits on one hand, and on the other hand, one of the climate change variables that has the capacity of causing disasters in open regions of the world, when not well understood, classified and mitigated. This study aims at the time series analysis of wind speed modulus (WSM) over selected cities in the United Kingdom and implications for engineering infrastructure. The ten (10) randomly selected locations include, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Norwich, Canterbury, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Edinburgh. The global merged near real time satellite altimetry datasets of year 2013-2019 over the United Kingdom were used to examine the variability of the wind speed, and determine if its values are at the scale of storm or hurricane, or if poses critical risk and threat to specific engineering infrastructure in the selected locations across the UK. The months of April-June (parts of spring and summer seasons) showed a period of minimum WSM, while late November-February (winter season) showed a period of maximum wind speed values in the study area. The estimated minimum, average and maximum wind speed values for each location ranged between light breeze (scale 1) and fresh gale wind (scale 8) (i.e., between 0.5m/s and 20m/s). The average wind speed ranged from 6.93-7.8m/s; hence classified as moderate breeze (i.e., between 5.5 and 8 m/s). On the other hand, the maximum wind speed ranged from 16.9m/s -18.9m/s; hence classified as fresh gale wind, which can make walking against the wind direction very difficult during the wind event. The study revealed that, the WSM values were not at the scale of storm and hurricane (i.e., WSM of 28m/s – over 32m/s); hence considered not of critical risk and threat to average high-rise engineering buildings and infrastructure in the study area. The highest range of the dynamic force of wind load was about 2149N (2.15kN) recorded in Edinburgh, while the minimum force was about 6.13N (0.006kN) recorded in Canterbury. The computed dynamic force of wind load on hypothetical surface area of features and space in the selected locations is a relevant advisory information for resilience infrastructure designs, and in particular for wind farm feasibility planning and development in the study area. The linear regressions of the WSM in London against those of Edinburgh and Manchester showed excellent spatial correlations with R2 values of 92.14 % and 97.69% respectively, but with a better fit between London and Manchester than London and Edinburgh due to spatial contiguity. The study recommends the inclusion of analysed WSM metrics in the design, construction and management of critical engineering infrastructure in order to mitigate climate change-induced failures and enhanced life-span and safety of the infrastructure. The inherent potential of wind energy from wind speed should be exploited for sustainable renewable energy ecosystem in the UK
Urban Telecommunication Infrastructure: A Spatial Analysis of Mobile Mast Deployment in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
No full textThe demand for effective telecommunication services, particularly mobile phone usage, has grown significantly due to the increasing need for communication and social connection. The socioeconomic development of a nation heavily relies on communication infrastructure aligned with its developmental goals. However, while telecommunication masts play a vital role in enhancing connectivity, their proliferation has raised environmental concerns. The clustering of masts near residential areas has posed challenges related to land use and urban planning. Additionally, the absence of geospatial data on telecom masts necessitated this study, which focused on determining their geospatial distribution in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Garmin 78csx GPS receiver was employed to geolocate existing telecom masts within the study area, and a comprehensive database of these masts was developed. The acquired coordinates were visualized using QGIS software with OpenStreetMap (OSM) to confirm that the positions aligned within the study area boundaries. Technical guidelines stipulate a minimum spacing of 1 km between telecommunication masts. However, the study revealed that many masts in the area do not adhere to this standard. The spatial distribution patterns of the masts were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, employing various charts to illustrate their spread across selected communities. Furthermore, proximity and spatial distribution maps of the telecom masts were generated using QGIS software. The findings indicated a total of 290 telecom masts in the study area, with 103 located within Port Harcourt Metropolis and 187 in Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. Among the service providers, MTN accounted for the highest number of masts (125), followed by GLO (80), AIRTEL (71), and 9MOBILE (14). The study also detailed the proportional percentages of masts for each service provider. Based on these insights, the study recommended strict adherence to regulatory standards and the implementation of measures to mitigate the adverse effects of telecommunication masts on the environment and urban areas
Investigating the Altitude-Dependent Accuracy of Depths Derived by Colour Ratio from Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-Multispectral Imageries
No full textBathymetry is an essential requirement in marine applications such as sea navigation, coastal monitoring, forecast of coastal phenomena and engineering constructions. Bathymetry is traditionally acquired via shipboard echo sounding which is usually very expensive, labor-intensive added with inability to access remote or unnavigable areas. But, nowadays, remote sensing methods, such as space-borne or air-borne imaging or lidar have been employed in determining water depth, hence offsetting the setbacks associated with the conventional approaches. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-photogrammetry offers a good opportunity for mapping waterbody bottom relief because of its higher image resolution. The study, targeted at determining the various accuracies of bathymetries achievable at two different flight altitudes focuses on: determining the bathymetry of a portion of Otamiri River (25 Ha) using standard echo sounding procedure; conducting UAS imaging flights on two altitudes over the same portion of Otamiri River in Owerri Imo State; retrieving the bathymetry of the riverbed from the images of the two flights by applying Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) algorithm based on optimal band ratio analysis (OBRA). Ground controls and check points were established with Static and RTK GNSS observations. The images were acquired with 1-Inch CMOS effective 20 megapixels sensor at flight altitudes of 90 m and 150 m with 50% as forward and lateral overlap respectively. The images were processed and georectified with ground control points (GCPs) using Agisoft Photo Scan software. MLR model was calibrated with a fraction of echo sounder depths and the corresponding log-band ratios. The UAS-derived depths were validated statistically by comparing with echo sounder results to determine mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The MAE and RMSE (0.27 m and 0.31 m; 0.40 m and 0.48 m) were obtained at 90 m and 150 m flights respectively. The MAE and RMSE increase as the flight height was increased from 90 m to 150 m. Admit other factors, the difference is mainly due to changing flight height. Hence, drone data acquisition should be conducted at lowest possible altitude to achieve finer results.