Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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Techno-economic optimization of a hybrid power system for Azari farm
No full textThe increasing demand for reliable and cost-effective electricity supply, particularly in regions with unstable grid infrastructure, has intensified the need for optimized hybrid energy systems. This study investigates the techno-economic performance and optimal configuration of a hybrid power system consisting of photovoltaic (PV), grid and diesel generator components. The system was modeled and simulated using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) Pro to determine the most economically viable and technically reliable energy configuration for the Azari Farm. Techno-economic analysis was carried out in Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) to evaluate multiple system configuration. The evaluation was based on key performance indicators such as Net Present Cost (NPC). Return on Investment (ROI), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and discounted payback period. The result indicate that the hybrid PV /Grid /Generator provided the most economically viable solution with a discounted payback period of 8.19 years, a Return on Investment of 11.5%, an Internal Rate of Return of 15% and NPC value of about ₦212.63 million while the Grid-only and Generator-only gave a zero discounted payback period, a zero Internal Rate of Return indicating that these systems are unable to recover their investment costs due to higher operational expenses and lack of renewable energy integration. This study therefore highlights the importance of integrating renewable energy resources into conventional power system for the Azari Farm and provides useful insights for energy planners, policymakers and investors seeking cost-effective and reliable energy solution
A Multi-Objective Optimisation Approach to Multi-Modality Radiology Scheduling Problem Using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm
No full textCongestion and long waiting times are significant problems for patients attempting to access radiology services in public tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. This paper develops a multi-objective optimisation model for the Multimodality Radiology Scheduling Problem (MRSP). The MRSP was formulated to minimize patient waiting time, average delay beyond deadlines, and total operational cost, based on the stated constraints. A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm was developed for the MRSP and tested for four radiology modalities: ultrasound, CT, MRI, and X-ray. The Pareto solutions were analysed and further partitioned by k-means clustering. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine the effect of changes in the waiting time and duration. The model generated a Gantt–Pareto chart that shows the schedules for each scanner. The schedules reduce patient waiting times and minimize scanner idle periods. Patient waiting times were dispersed, with a mean ± standard deviation of 76.8 ± 56.75. The K-means clustering revealed clusters with [short, medium, and long] waiting times [0, 9, 23, and 42; 58, 77, 86, 89, 98, 102, and 110; 120, 127, 132, 137, 153, and 173] minutes. Sensitivity analysis results confirm that the waiting times were most affected by early jobs in each modality’s sequence. The multi-objective optimisation model was developed and effectively used to solve multimodal radiology scheduling problems. This model can be of immense benefit in planning and scheduling radiology examination problems in hospitals to reduce waiting times and average delay beyond deadlines
EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND SELF-ESTEEM AS DETERMINANTS OF SCHOOL REFUSAL BEHAVIOUR
No full textThe menace of out of-school children in Nigeria is a scary development that continues get worse every day. While focus has been placed on children denied access to education as a result of socio-economic hinderances, there are young individuals that can afford school but are psychologically handicapped from attending school because of inexplicable state of fear, panic and anxiety. This correlation study was conceived to ascertain the socio-emotional determinants of school refusal behaviour (SRB) among in-school adolescents in Aguata Education Zone, Anambra State. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide this study. The population comprised all 8351 SS1 students enrolled in the 2023/2024 academic session in the 52 public secondary schools in the 6 LGAs in Aguata Education Zone. The Multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 600 students. Adapted versions of the Emotional Regulations Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale – Revised were used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analysed using PPMC and multiple regression. Findings revealed a significant association between emotional regulation, self-esteem and school refusal behaviour. it was recommended among others that evidence-based social-emotional learning programmes should be implemented in schools to help young learners acquire healthy coping strategies. 
Production of Alkyd Resin from Selected Drying / Non-Drying Oil Blend: Correlative Study of Physicochemical Properties and Modelling
No full textThis study examines the production of alkyd resins from blends of drying oil (rubber seed oil, RSO) and chemically modified non-drying oil (palm kernel oil, PKO) to reduce after-yellowing associated with saturated lauric oils. Crude PKO, with an initial iodine value of 50.9 gI₂/100 g, was modified through epoxidation, hydroxylation, and hydration, achieving about 80% conversion of double bonds and reducing the iodine value to 15.8 gI₂/100 g. This modification improved colour stability and compatibility with RSO-rich alkyd systems. Oil blends (100% RSO, 100% modified PKO, 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties were determined prior to polyesterification. Alkyd resins were synthesized via alcoholysis–polyesterification under controlled temperature and catalyst concentration, and the resulting resins were characterized for viscosity, acid value, iodine value, free fatty acid content, and colour. Higher RSO content increased iodine value and improved drying behaviour. Process modelling using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was carried out for 30DPKO:70RSO and 50DPKO:50RSO blends to evaluate percent yield, drying index, and viscosity. Strong correlations between experimental and predicted results were obtained for the 30DPKO:70RSO blend, while moderate to strong correlations were observed for the 50DPKO:50RSO blend. Overall, the results confirm that desaturated PKO blended with RSO is suitable for alkyd resin production, yielding resins with improved drying performance, stability, and reduced after-yellowing
CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE
No full textThis study examined the influence of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) practices on the performance of mobile telecommunication firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study was driven by persistent performance challenges in the sector, including network inconsistency, weak customer engagement, inadequate complaint resolution, and declining customer trust, all of which continue to undermine organizational performance despite heightened competition among operators. Customer knowledge as a dimension of CRM was evaluated to determine its effect on firm performance, with customer retention serving as a key performance indicator. Anchored on the Commitment–Trust Theory of Relationship Marketing, the study emphasizes that sustained organizational performance is a product of trust, commitment, and value-driven interactions between firms and customers. Evidence from contemporary empirical literature shows that effective CRM practices significantly enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty, retention, and overall firm performance. Customer knowledge strengthens personalization and predictive decision-making; customer interaction improves communication and responsiveness; service quality drives reliability and customer satisfaction. The study concludes that mobile telecommunication firms in Anambra State can improve performance and gain competitive advantage by adopting integrated, technology-supported, and customer-centric CRM practices. The findings offer practical implications for telecom managers, regulators, and policymakers, and provide scholarly insight for future research on CRM, performance, and customer behavior in emerging markets
ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION AND THE SUCCESS OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE
No full textThis study examined the influence of entrepreneurial innovation on the success of manufacturing SMEs in Anambra State. Two specific objectives, research questions, and hypotheses were formulated with the decomposed variables of the study. The study was anchored on Schumpeter’s creative destruction theory. This study used a descriptive survey design. The study population was 2654, while the sample size was 336, arrived at using Krejcie and Morgan\u27s (1970) formula. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from the random sample of workers at the selected manufacturing SMEs in Anambra State. The simple random and stratified sampling techniques were used for the study. Descriptive statistics (frequency tables and percentages) were adopted for data presentation; however, the Pearson correlation coefficient was applied for hypothesis testing. The study found that entrepreneurial innovation has a significant and positive relationship with a firm’s success. This study concluded that to remain competitive as well as become profitable, manufacturing SMEs operating in Anambra State must embrace innovation and continuously seek ways to be innovate. Hence, manufacturing SMEs can leverage their success by continuously implementing product innovation and process innovation. The study recommended that manufacturing firms need to constantly endeavor to invest in different new product designs and improve on the existing products so as to attain a competitive advantage against competitors. 
CAPACITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
No full textIn developing countries like Nigeria the construction industry continues to record chronic under-performance, limited access to modern equipment, weak management practices, frequent project delays and cost overruns, which impede the performance of construction firms. This study examined the relationship between capacity needs assessment and performance of construction firms in Anambra State. The specific objectives of the study were to investigate how various aspects of capacity needs such as technical expertise and financial capacity, affect performance of construction firms in Anambra State in terms of efficiency and project execution, To achieve these objectives, two research questions and corresponding hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study was anchored on Resource-Based View (RBV) theory primarily credited to Jay Barney (1991). It utilized descriptive survey research design. The population of study consist of 10 construction firms in Anambra state. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources with the questionnaire serving as the major instrument of data collection. The data obtained from primary sources were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics, including tables, simple percentages, and mean scores, were employed to present and summarize the data. For hypotheses testing, inferential statistical techniques, specifically the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) technique was employed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that technical expertise and financial capacity have significant positive effect on performance of construction firms in Anambra State in terms of efficiency and project execution. Based on these findings, the study concluded that capacity needs assessment is a critical determinant of construction firm performance in Anambra State. It recommends that construction firms should invest in recruiting qualified technical professionals and engage them in continuous capacity building on modern construction technologies, standards, and methodologies in order to improve operational efficiency
JOB BURNOUT AND EMPLOYEE’S PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS
No full textThis study examined the influence of job burnout on employee’s performance in selected manufacturing firms in Enugu Metropolis. The main objective of this study is to examine how job burnout affects employee performance in manufacturing firms in Enugu Metropolis, specifically to find out the effect of emotional exhaustion of employees on organizational profitability, to ascertain the effect of decrease in personal accomplishment of employees on organizational productivity, and to find out the effect of depersonalization of employees on organizational creativity.
The research methodology adopted was survey research design. The study population comprised of one thousand, one hundred and forty two (1,142) staff with a sample size of two hundred and ninety-six (296) determined using Taro Yamane formula and Bowley’s population allocation model. The data was sourced basically through primary and secondary sources by distributing questionnaires to affected respondents to elicit the necessary facts. The chi-square (χ²) statistics was used to test the formulated hypotheses.
The study revealed that emotional exhaustion affects employee’s organizational profitability; decrease in personal accomplishment affects employee’s organizational productivity; and depersonalization affects employee’s organizational creativity. Based on the findings, the study recommended that managers of manufacturing firms in Enugu Metropolis should provide vital information about burnout and how employees can prevent it, and should frequently hold seminars to educate employees on the concept of burnout. Managers should also help employees to increase their ability to handle and prevent stress by hiring professionals to teach coping skills and relaxation techniques
YOUTH EMIGRATION AND THE IGBO APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA
No full textThis study examined the relationship between youth emigration and the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) in South East Nigeria, focusing on the association between get-rich-quick orientation and IAS-based wealth creation, as well as between formal education and skill development. Anchored on Everett Lee’s push-pull theory (1966), the study adopted a survey research design. The population comprised 6,108 respondents drawn from 10 major markets across South East Nigeria. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 375 was selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, while hypotheses were tested with the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC). Findings indicated a strong significant negative correlation between get-rich-quick syndrome and IAS wealth creation (r = −0.683, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher preference for rapid wealth acquisition is associated with lower engagement in the slow, structured and traditional IAS wealth-creation pathway. Formal education showed a significant positive correlation with skill development (r = 0.511, p < 0.001). The study concludes that both internal and external factors are exerting push-pull pressures threatening the participation of youths in the IAS. It recommends a value-driven orientation campaign by key stakeholders and strategic adjustments within the IAS to strengthen confidence in the system
GLOBALIZATION IN AN EMERGING ECONOMY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
No full textThis study examined the Nigerian experience of globalization in an emerging economy between 1981 and 2025. The specific objective is to analyze the impact of trade openness on Nigeria\u27s economic expansion; analyze the impact of currency rates on Nigeria\u27s economic expansion; assessed the effect of foreign direct investment on Nigeria\u27s economic expansion. Ordinary least square method was adopted because of its Best Linear Unbiased Estimators (BLUE) properties The variables used were sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. The variables used were exchange rate, foreign direct investment and trade openness. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin 2024 VOL 24 was the source of the information gathered. The unit root test and multiple regressions were used in the analysis. The research showed that Nigeria\u27s economic growth is not significantly impacted by trade liberalization. Nigeria\u27s economic growth is not significantly impacted by exchange rates. Nigeria\u27s economic growth is significantly impacted by foreign direct investment. The study concludes that foreign direct investment has a greater impact on Nigeria\u27s economic growth than trade openness or fluctuations in exchange rates. This study therefore recommends that the government should implement measures that encourage stable currency rates by managing money well and reducing reliance on imports. The naira\u27s value will rise as a result, boosting investor confidence. Nigeria should facilitate investment by developing infrastructure, offering tax breaks, and streamlining corporate laws. FDI inflows will be further attracted and sustained by bolstering property rights and lowering administrative obstacles.