Nexus International University NIU Journals
Not a member yet
2050 research outputs found
Sort by
Traditional Rulers and Statutory Institutions: Dynamics of Cooperation and Competition in Land Conflict Management in Osun State, Nigeria
No full textThe study explored traditional rulers and statutory institutions as dynamics of cooperation and competition in land conflict management in Osun state, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the facts that the frequency of land disputes in Osun State is caused by a number of reasons. The study was anchored on Conflict Transformation Theory and Collaborative Governance Theory, respectively. The study employed exploratory ethnographic research design, while purposive and snowballing sampling procedures were employed. Both Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used to obtain information of the sampled participants. The obtained data were content analysed. The results indicated that the major historical role of traditional rulers to include land custodianship and land allocation, mediators in conflicts among others. Greed of individuals, including the traditional rulers, ambiguity in land boundaries, increase in the value of land, among others contributed to the causes of land conflicts among the respondents in the study location. The study recommended that the traditional rulers should institutionalize community-based land governance councils that include youth, women, family heads, and elders. These councils should oversee land allocation, documentation, and conflict resolution to ensure transparency and inclusive participation in decision-making processes.
Keywords: Traditional rulers, statutory institutions, land conflict management in Osun State, Nigeria
Yoruba Women in Clothing: Textiles as a Bridge to Memories and Identity
No full textYoruba women’s clothing and fashion are not only artistic expressions but also living records of cultural heritage, communal identity, and social values passed from one generation to another. A theoretical approach was adopted for the study. This paper investigates the pivotal role of Yoruba women in Southwestern Nigeria in the cultural utilization of textiles as fashion items, emphasizing their significance as a medium for collective memory and cultural identity for future generations. Through a critical analysis of the continuous use of textile materials such as adire (resist-dyed fabrics including Adire Eleko, Oniko, and Alabere) and Aso Oke (handwoven cloths such as Etu, Sanyan, Alaari, and Shanishani) among Yoruba women in Southwestern Nigeria, these textiles have become enduring cultural hallmarks. The paper also highlights their symbolic functions in fashion and ceremonies such as: funerals, naming ceremonies, traditional festivals, chieftaincy installations, and other social celebrations, where they signify status, spirituality, and communal values. Drawing from historical, ethnographic, and anthropological frameworks, the study explores the evolution of textile use in Southwestern Nigeria by tracing the intersection of textiles, fashion, memory, and identity. The study concludes that textiles are indispensable elements of material culture and symbolic cultural heritage, appreciated beyond local boundaries.
Keywords: Yoruba women, textiles, cultural identity, fashion, memory, material culture, heritage
Influence of Point of Sale (POS) on the Nigerian Economy, 2003-2023
No full textPoint of Sale (POS) has significantly impacted the banking sector of the Nigerian economy. The study is retracted to Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The POS operation in Benin City generated employment for the operators and made banking services available to all parts of the society, thereby reducing the stress of going to the bank for their customers except in some serious transactions. The study adopted the Innovation Diffusion Theory and Humphrey, Pulley, & Vesala's Cashless Economy Theory to explain the rationale for e-banking in Nigeria. The study was exploratory and purely qualitative; it made use of the in-depth interview guide in eliciting the required responses, adopting purposive and convenience sampling techniques. It made use of 20 participants who are POS operators in Benin City. The study revealed that even though the POS system improves banking operational efficiency in Benin City by ensuring the availability of banking services to members of the public, it also faces some challenges like poor network connectivity and security risks to both the operators and the customers. The study concludes that the POS operation in Benin City needs support and a more secure environment for the operators to fully utilize the system. In this regard, the study suggested financial assistance to the operators by the government and the banks, improving network stability by the network providers, and improved security for the operators.
Keywords: Benin City, Challenges, POS Operators and Significant Impact
Integrating Artificial Intelligence as an Academic Learning Tool for University Students: Sociological Implications
No full textThis study assessed the generality of the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an academic learning tool for university students by analyzing the key themes including enhanced student engagement, improved academic performance and potential shifts in knowledge dynamics. It specifically, discussed trends in the development of artificial intelligence, AI impact on university students’ academic performance, the sociological implications of artificial intelligence, and some of its challenges and suggestion for AI usage advancement among the students and students-teachers during teaching and learning were also discussed. The study concluded that, despite the fact that these technologies are becoming more prominent in higher education, not all students enjoy equal access to them. Differences in technological infrastructure, institutional readiness, and digital literacy continue to influence how effectively students can benefit from AI. Although AI's promise to enhance learning outcomes is well acknowledged in theory, practical research on its real-world impact on academic performance, particularly in the context of developing nations remains limited.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Sociological Implication
Editorial
No full textThis edition of NIU Journal of Social Sciences focuses on Godfatherism, Ethnographic Study, Human Security, Entrepreneurship Mentoring Education, Psychological Distress as well as Effective Mental Health Service Utilization.
One of the papers, in this issue, reveals that godsons’ preference for political survival above administration has a detrimental effect on public services and infrastructure. It also disclosed that political parties' financial limitations encourage corruption, erode internal democracy. It suggests therefore that electioneering campaigning funds should come directly from consolidated funds established by federal government; political parties in Edo State should implement transparent and democratic systems in candidate selection to eliminate the power of godfathers and the state government and relevant stake holders should develop long-term strategies for sustainable infrastructure development.
Another paper also reveals that interventions addressing depression and hopelessness, alongside programmes promoting resilience, social connectedness, and self-worth, are crucial for alleviating distress among unemployed graduates. It therefore, recommends multi-level approaches involving counselling, institutional support, and policy-driven initiatives to enhance psychological well-being and reduce the adverse mental health outcomes associated with graduate unemployment.
Readers are advised to make proper use of the ideas presented by the various authors in this issue of NIU Journal of Social Sciences. Some of these papers are empirical in nature while others have theoretical base. Each of them focuses on one specific social and management problem or the other; trying to proffer solutions to them
Tertiary Education and Strike Actions in Nigerian Universities: Quest for Development and Quality Education
No full textAdvancement of human society is tied to scientific knowledge derivable through quality education that encompasses the transformation of the human mind and translate into socioeconomic development. Any action therefore that inhibits the functional capacity and operational efficiency of the educational system is inimical. This paper elucidates the functionality of education system in Nigeria and how strike has impacted severely the propensity of tertiary education to deliver on its mandate. It argues that education in Nigeria has been faced with myriad of challenges, the consequences of which have consistently result in strike actions, disruption of the academic calendar, extended graduation time for students and underdevelopment. Using a historical perspective and secondary data, the paper content analyses on one hand, the controversies associated with strikes and work-life of employees in Nigerian universities and on the other hand, traces strikes to the ills associated with government lackadaisical attitude towards education. It highlights the problems suffered by the Nigeria Universities, its plausible causes and effects and point that Nigeria government and the academic community are at a critical cross-road. Marx labour-conflict theory bears the burden of explanation and suggests the importance of synergy between gown and town and the adoption of a lasting solution to the incessant feuding.
Keywords: Academic/academia, Education/educational system, University/strikes, Development/growt
Assessing Adolescents’ Perception of Sources and Barriers to Sexual Reproductive Health Information and Services in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria
No full textThis study examines adolescents' perceptions of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria, addressing gaps in access influenced by cultural, educational, and systemic barriers. A survey of 228 adolescents (83.8% female; 82% aged 18–19 years) revealed significant challenges: 38.2% reported no maternal communication on SRH, and over 50% cited insufficient school-based SRH education. Privacy concerns, fear of judgment, financial constraints, and healthcare provider stigma emerged as critical barriers, with 54.8% highlighting confidentiality fears. Gender analysis showed no significant differences in perceptions of SRH sources or barriers, though females demonstrated greater awareness of available services. Post-secondary educated adolescents perceived higher systemic barriers than their secondary-educated peers. The study underscores the impact of cultural taboos, inadequate parental engagement, and poorly implemented SRH curricula. Recommendations include integrating comprehensive SRH education into school programs, establishing youth-friendly health services prioritizing confidentiality and affordability, leveraging media for awareness campaigns, and enhancing parental communication. Community outreach and technology-based interventions are proposed to bridge gaps for out-of-school adolescents. Addressing these barriers is vital to improving SRH outcomes, reducing unintended pregnancies, and empowering adolescents to make informed health decisions, necessitating collaborative efforts among policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and families.
Keywords: Adolescents, Perception, Barriers, Sexual reproductive health, Nigeri
Semantic Relativism in Terminological Expressions in French and Yoruba Languages: Idiomatic Expressions
No full textIdiomatic expression, which is the object of our focus in this study is a powerful educational tool in any foreign language learning. It serves as an additional instrument for learners in obtaining L2 competence, acquiring conversational fluency skills and understanding the culture of the target language. It is quite obvious that, idiomatic expressions could have similar meaning in different languages but the identification of the equivalence is the problem except one has come across it before. The objective of this paper is therefore, to find out whether the students were aware or not of their French equivalents with similar meanings. It is discovered that, semantically, this type of terminology can be used to describe similar realities in the two languages with different lexical or linguistic variations. The study is both qualitative and quantitative one, where fifty (50) students were asked to pick from the options provided, the French equivalents of their Yoruba counterparts. The idiomatic expressions concerned are fifteen in number, taken from authentic textbooks: Yoruba Idioms by M.A. Fabunmi and Asayan Akanlo Ede Yoruba by Ademola Olopade. The paper hinges on Conceptual Metaphor Theory be idiomatic expressions are metaphorically motivated. Findings revealed that there are potential problems encountered by students in their bid to get or guess the correct French equivalent of Yoruba idiomatic expressions. And these could be due to their background in the French language, their non-familiarity with the idiomatic expressions, poor knowledge of the French idiomatic expressions, the degree of the idiomacity, et
Divorce in Islam: Legal, Social, and Ethical Perspectives
No full textThis paper investigates divorce (talaq) in Islam by discussing legal aspects, social implications and ethical dimensions. Based on Classical Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh), modern legal theories and empirical research, this book examines the complexities of role-relations between the husband and wife in various Muslim environments and countries. The study finds marked differences in divorce process and gender-based guidelines and social consequences among the various religious-legal traditions of Islam and current Muslim-majority countries. From a comparative analysis of legal systems of various countries including Morocco, Egypt, Malaysia and Pakistan, this study depicts the transformation from classical jurisprudential principle to modern statutory law in divorce matters. The results suggest that although Islam allows divorce, it does so within a complex of ethical, procedural, and social restrictions intended to preserve the family while respecting individual rights. The project is situated within a wider academic debate on Islamic family law reform, gender equality and the relationship between religious authenticity and modern legal norms.
Keywords: Islamic Divorce, Talaq, Islamic Family Law, Gender Equality, Jurisprudence, Muslim Societie
Impact of Orphanage-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Benin City, Edo State. Nigeria.
No full textThe issue of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) remains a global humanitarian concern, prompting interventions to enhance their socioeconomic well-being. This study examined the influence of orphanage-based interventions on OVC in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to examine the effectiveness of orphanage-based interventions in improving the well-being of orphans and vulnerable children in Benin City, evaluate the impact of healthcare services provided to orphans and vulnerable children through orphanage-based interventions in Benin City, lastly to examine the effects of educational and vocational training support provided to orphans and vulnerable children by orphanages in Benin City. Ecological systems theory was used in explanation of the study. Mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 384 OVC and 10 informants using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide respectively. The instruments were content-validated, and reliability was determined by pre-test. Member-checking was used to verify the interview findings. Multi-stage sampling techniques including stratified, simple random and purposive sampling were employed. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, presented in percentages, tables, and charts, while qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed significant inadequacies in healthcare and educational opportunities for OVC in orphanages across Benin City. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with existing support services. The study recommends free enrolment of OVC into the Edo State or national health insurance scheme and policy to mandate school proprietors to provide scholarship for the as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Keywords: Orphans, orphanage-based intervention, orphans and vulnerable children, vulnerable, well-bein