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Divinities as Reservoiurs of Supernatural Resources: African Perspective
No full textThis paper focuses on divinities as reserviour of Supernatural resources African perspective. In African religious thoughts the divinities are believed to be imbued with inherent supernatural benefits often described as supernatural resources such s rain, bountiful harvest, fertility of soil and reproduction, wealth, etc. This, however, for the Africans described the divinities as reservoirs of supernatural resources. Therefore, for the Africans, these supernatural l benefits are often sought for in every aspect of life (before planting, for fruit of womb and success in commercial activities). For the Africans, not everybody is qualified to approach the divinities to tap these benefits rather there are specialists (priests, diviners, medicine men) who are professionally trained or set aside to approach the divinities with rituals, sacrifices, offerings, prayers to access these resources in such places as shrines, grooves, caves often believed to be sacred. The study adopted methodology adopted was phenomenological approach to interpret and describe the roles of divinities as reserviours of supernatural resources.
Keywords: Divinities, Supernatural Resources and Reserviours
Effectiveness of Modelling Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy on Aggression among In-School Adolescents who gamble in Lagos Metropolis
No full textGambling among in-school adolescents has become a major psychological and social concern, affecting academic performance, mental health, and peer relationships. This study examined the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Modelling Therapy (MT) on aggression among gambling adolescents in secondary schools within Education District II of Lagos State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with a sample of 250 students selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Gambling Related Cognition Scale (GRCS) and Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (VAS). Three hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 significance level using mean, standard deviation, and ANCOVA. Findings revealed that gambling significantly influenced aggression, while age had no significant effect. Both CBT and MT were effective in reducing aggression compared to the control group. It was recommended that teachers and school administrators be trained in basic CBT and modelling techniques to identify and manage aggression early. Strict enforcement of age restrictions on physical and online gambling was also advised.
Keywords: Aggression, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Modelling Therapy, Gambling, In-school Adolescent
Leadership Succession Planning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review
No full textThe sustainability of higher education institutions is critically contingent upon effective and continuous leadership, particularly within a challenging landscape of global competition and resource constraints. This study aimed to systematically review existing approaches, models, challenges, and future directions of leadership succession planning in higher education, with a focus on identifying best practices that support institutional sustainability and leadership readiness. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure transparency and methodological rigor. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2025 were sourced from leading academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Out of 830 initially retrieved records, 54 studies met the inclusion criteria and were critically analyzed. The review identified four dominant leadership succession models in higher education: the talent management model, leadership pipeline model, mentoring and coaching models, and hybrid/ad hoc models. These frameworks collectively enhance leadership continuity, improve institutional governance, and sustain organizational performance. However, the study also revealed persistent challenges, including the absence of formalized succession frameworks, limited leadership development opportunities, resource constraints, and inadequate administrative commitment. Emerging practices emphasize embedding leadership development into academic career pathways, fostering diversity and inclusion in leadership pipelines, and utilizing data-driven technologies for talent management and informed decision-making. This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of leadership succession planning within higher education, presenting a holistic understanding of leadership succession dynamics. Furthermore, it proposes a roadmap for policy and practice aimed at strengthening institutional resilience and sustainability through strategic leadership development. The findings hold significant implications for policymakers, higher education administrators, and human resource professionals. By institutionalizing succession planning as a strategic priority, HEIs can ensure smooth leadership transitions, preserve institutional memory, and enhance long-term sustainability. Such initiatives can also promote inclusive leadership cultures that reflect equity, innovation, and adaptability within academic governance.
Keywords: Leadership succession planning, Higher education, Institutional sustainability, Leadership continuity, PRISMA, Talent management, Governance
Family Factors and Academic Outcomes among Secondary School Students in Benue State, Nigeria: A Multivariate Analysis of Structural and Dynamic Configurations
No full textThis study, drawing from Bowen Family Systems Theory, investigated the predictive powers of both structural and dynamic family configurations on academic outcomes among secondary school students in Benue State, Nigeria. The study sought to address gaps in prior univariate studies as a result of which a multivariate approach was adopted to assess configurational effects on English Language, Mathematics and General Knowledge. Materials and methods involved survey-based multivariate design deployed to target a population of 16,076 Senior Secondary School III students in 772 public schools. The study relied upon a multi-stage sampling procedure for the selection 1,608 respondents (802 males, 806 females) across 23 Local Government Areas of Benue State. For data collection, two validated instruments were used: the Family Factors Questionnaire, a 30-item Likert-scale tool measuring structural and dynamic composites (reliability coefficient r=0.81), and the Educational Achievement Test, comprising 120 multiple-choice items (40 per subject). Reported reliability coefficients were r = 0.81 (for the FFQ instrument) and Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) = 0.87 for the achievement test. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 25 was utilised for multivariate regression analyses of null hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that both configurations significantly predicted outcomes (p<0.001). Family structure explained 49.5% to 66.4% of variance in academic outcomes across the three subjects while variance of 28.0% to 50.4% of variance was accounted for by family dynamics. Recommendations include: (1) implementing parental education programs to enhance household stability and resource management; (2) establishing school counselling for improving family communication and emotional support; (3) integrating family-oriented policies in education ministries; (4) conducting ongoing assessments of family influences; (5) creating home-school collaboration platforms like workshops; and (6) providing targeted aid, such as mentoring and scholarships, for students from unstable families.
Keywords: Structural Configuration; Dynamic Configuration; Family Structure; Family Dynamics and Academic Outcome
From Mission Schools to Private Universities: The Historical Trajectory of Christian Education in Nigeria
No full textThe history of Christian education in Nigeria reveals a complex trajectory that spans from the pioneering mission schools of the nineteenth century to the proliferation of faith-based private universities in the twenty-first century. Early mission schools established by the Church Missionary Society, the Wesleyan Methodist Mission, and the Roman Catholic Mission functioned as centers of literacy, evangelization, and social transformation, producing the first generation of Nigerian elites who later shaped politics, church leadership, and nationalist movements. However, the post-independence government takeover of mission schools in the 1970s, justified on grounds of standardization and secularization, eroded much of the moral and religious ethos embedded in Christian education, resulting in widespread concerns over declining standards and weakened character formation. The liberalization of the higher education sector in 1999 marked a new phase, leading to the establishment of private Christian universities such as Covenant, Babcock, Bowen, and Madonna Universities. These institutions sought to revive the integration of faith and learning while offering alternatives to overstretched public universities. Yet, tensions persist: questions of elitism, commercialization, and the extent to which private universities continue the legacy of holistic Christian education remain unresolved. This study critically examines the historical shifts, continuities, and contradictions within this educational trajectory, with particular attention to its philosophical, theological, and socio-political underpinnings.
Keywords: Christian Education, Mission Schools, Private Universities, Secularization, Evangelization, Neoliberalism, Nation-building
Employee Capital and Customer Satisfaction in Selected Nigerian Deposit Money Banks
No full textThe relevance of employee capital in promoting customer satisfaction has been highlighted in some extant studies. In this research we explored employee capital and its effects on customer satisfaction in the banking sector. Our objectives were to examine how components of employee capital such as employee knowledge, employee skills and employee capabilities influenced customer satisfaction. Corresponding research questions and hypotheses were developed and tested. The study employed a cross-sectional research design executed through a survey. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses from employees of five deposit money banks in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. The banks were chosen from the deposit money banks approved for operations by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Three predictor variables - employee knowledge, employee skills and employee capabilities combined with customer satisfaction as a predicted variable - were examined. The instrument was a modified 28 item structured questionnaire made up of Likert type scale statements. The validity of the instrument was assured using face and content validation techniques. The reliability was ascertained using Cronbach alpha test which yielded values well above the acceptable threshold for both the dependent and independent variables. The study population were employees across the different branches of the deposit money banks. A sample size of 600 was adopted for this study. Of the 600 copies of the instrument administered, a total of 444 were properly filled and usable, indicating a 72% response rate. The test of hypotheses was done using regression analysis. The findings show that all the components of employee capital influenced customer satisfaction. Specifically, the findings show that employee skills (t = 6.432, p =.000, beta = 0.430); employee capabilities (t = 5.224, p =.001, beta = 0.383); and employee knowledge (t = 3.344, p =.001, beta = 0.321) were all statistically significant predictors with employee skills demonstrating the largest effect on customer satisfaction. The paper recommends that bank management should increase their efforts in developing their employee capital to enhance customer satisfaction.
Keywords: employee capital, employee knowledge, employee skills, employee capabilities, customer satisfaction
Press Freedom and National Security: The Place of Human Rights in Nigeria’s Cybercrime Laws
Get PDFThe study addresses the nexus of press, national security and human rights as found in Cybercrime (Mediation, Prevention, etc.) Law 2015, Nigeria. It delves into the experiences of Nigerian law against cybercrimes like cyberstalking, identity theft and online terrorism on freedom of expression and work of journalists. Even though the government justified the Act as a vital way to fight cyber terrorism and protect national security, critics have suggested its broad and vague provisions have been weaponized as one mechanism for the press freedoms and democracy rights. The research avertedly points out some provisions of the law, foremost among which one is section 24 of the Cybercrime (Mediation, Prevention, etc.) Law 2015, which talks about cyberstalking which can be used most by journalists/bloggers/activists who dare criticize government policy or expose corruption. It further examines the duty of courts, activists and international human rights norms in securing press freedom as well a reasonable response to genuine security concerns. Through a comparative study of Nigerian practices with other countries on the continent, including South Africa and Kenya, the research finds best practice in reconciling national security with press freedom. The study concludes by suggesting legislative reforms; judicial review of the discretion of police officers and an active civil society to ensure that cybercrime laws of Nigeria heed international human rights obligations whilst balancing press freedom in the digital age.
Keywords: Cybercrime, cyberstalking, online terrorism, press fredo
Innovations in Electricity Infrastructure and Small Enterprises Sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFIn Lagos State, Nigeria, Small enterprises faced challenges such as frequent power outages, elevated electricity costs, reliance on generators, and inadequate government support. This study investigated the effects of innovations in electricity infrastructure on the sustainability of small enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. Specifically, it evaluated the impacts of backup power systems, smart grid integration, and renewable energy solutions on small enterprise sustainability. A survey design was adopted, utilizing both primary and secondary data. The population comprised 42,067 small enterprises, with a sample size of 331 determined using the Taro Yamane (1967) formula. Data were collected through a researcher-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested with a pilot study conducted in Abuja involving 33 participants, yielding a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.84, indicating high reliability. Validity was ensured through expert review by two supervisors and a university lecturer. Data collection was carried out through face-to-face administration. The study employed analytical methods, including mean scores, standard deviations, and regression analysis, with hypotheses tested using Pearson’s correlation. The findings revealed positive and significant relationships between electricity infrastructure dimensions and the sustainability of small enterprises. Results showed that backup power systems (β = 0.433, p < 0.05), smart grid integration (β = 0.503, p < 0.05), and renewable energy solutions (β = 0.508, p < 0.05) significantly contributed to the sustainability of small enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. The overall model (Adjusted R² = 0.946; F(7,280) = 956.225, p < 0.05) indicated that these variables accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in small enterprise sustainability. The study concluded that electricity infrastructure played a critical role in sustaining small enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. Recommendations included adopting smart grid technologies to improve reliability and efficiency and conducting further research to explore the role of energy storage systems in stabilizing electricity supply and supporting the integration of renewables into Nigeria's energy portfolio.
Keywords: Innovations, Electricity Infrastructure, Small Enterprises Sustainabilit
Predicting Career Paths: An Exploration of the Determinants of Career Choice of Women in Nursing, Banking and Teaching Professions in Nigeria Using Logistic Regression
Get PDFWomen are a significant sociological group whose behaviours, motivations and values are sometimes incomprehensible in many contexts including workplace setting. This study examines the factors influencing career choices among women in nursing, banking and teaching professions in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research considers parental influence, financial benefits, job security, leisure time, and personal interest as key determinants of career choice. A descriptive research design was employed, with a sample size of 329 participants selected from a population of 2,310. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which were analysed using frequency tables, simple percentages, and logistic regression. The findings reveal that parents significantly influence their daughter’s career paths through counseling, role modeling, and financial support. Financial benefits were a major consideration for women in banking, with most expressing satisfaction with their current financial incentives. Job security was found to be higher in teaching and nursing compared to banking. The study recommends that parents foster open discussion, encouraging daughters to pursue careers based on their personal aspirations rather than parental expectations. Employers in nursing and teaching professions should enhance financial benefits to prevent women from gravitating towards banking. Additionally, organizations should implement flexible working arrangements to support women’s career advancement and work-life balance.
Keywords: Career Choice, Determinants, Women, Comparison, Nigeria
Editorial
Get PDFThis edition of NIU Journal of Social Sciences focuses on Development Administration, Social Psychology as well as Business and Entrepreneurship Education.
The first part of the Journal addresses issues in Development Administration such as Foreign Direct Investment, Election Management, Waste Management, Public Accountability, Local Governance and other Public Welfare Services. It is emphasized in one of the papers that there is need for comprehensive electoral reforms, including enhanced voter education, improved transparency, and stricter enforcement of electoral laws to address the problem of lack of confidence in the legitimacy of elected officials and the integrity of election results. This is because it is beliebed that this will foster a more transparent, accountable, and legitimate electoral system, thereby strengthening public trust in the democratic process.
Papers in the second part are on Social Psychology. It is revealed in one of the papers in this section that most of the lifestyles of the students were tailored in line with their favourite celebrities and role models. Also, imitating friends’ dressing styles has become a norm among students due to the confidence it creates and sometimes alters the student’s lifestyle. Hence, the study recommends that universities and related tertiary institutions should regulate the dressing behaviour of students to reflect the ideal standard behaviour after schooling.
In the last section on Business and Entrepreneurship Education, one of the papers reveals that regulatory barrier, such as complex compliance requirements and high costs, present significant obstacles to fintech adoption among SMEs. Furthermore, insufficient technological infrastructure, particularly in terms of reliable internet connectivity and stable electricity supply, limits access to fintech services. The paper therefore recommends future research is recommended to explore fintech adoption patterns across specific industries and investigate the impact of socio-cultural factors on digital financial engagement among SMEs