Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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    992 research outputs found

    Renewable Energy and Economic Stability: A Study of How Solar Power is Transforming Local Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa

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    This study examines how solar energy is transforming local economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on how it can reduce energy poverty and foster economic stability. Solar power, an abundant and renewable resource, is increasingly being used to address the region's energy issues. However, despite the potential benefits, barriers to widespread solar adoption include inadequate infrastructure, financing challenges, and regulatory constraints. The study illustrates how solar energy is enhancing energy access, generating employment, and promoting entrepreneurship. The study is done using case studies from Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Africa. Critical challenges to solar expansion are also identified in the study, such as high upfront costs, a lack of technical know-how, and a lack of policy support. It recommends a comprehensive strategy to hasten the adoption of solar energy that includes technical capacity building, private sector involvement, and government interventions. If these barriers are removed, solar energy has the potential to significantly contribute to Sub-Saharan Africa's inclusive economic growth, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development

    Addressing the Obstacles to the Use of Social Media in Promoting Entrepreneurship in Lafia Metropolis: Challenges and Remedies

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    This paper explored the challenges associated with using social media for entrepreneurship promotion in Lafia metropolis and identified potential remedies to overcome these obstacles. Employing a mixed-method research design, the study surveyed 340 randomly selected entrepreneurs and conducted in-depth interviews with five entrepreneurs to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings reveal that high data costs and a lack of adequate knowledge and skills in social media usage are significant barriers to the effective deployment of social media in entrepreneurial strategies. The study further suggests that targeted interventions, including affordable data plans and comprehensive training programmes, are crucial to mitigating these challenges. By addressing these issues, entrepreneurs in Lafia metropolis can better utilise social media to enhance their business activities and contribute to the region's economic growth

    Adopting Kendall’s Tau B Correlation Model to Assess Organisational Conflict and Job Commitment of Olam Flour Mill, Ilorin

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    The existence of every organisation is a result of the peace and harmonious working relationship enjoyed by both the staff and management of such companies. Olam Flour Mills Limited is no exception, though the company records some differences emanating from internal wranglings and staff commitment issues. The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of job commitment on organisational conflict in Olam Flour Mills, Ilorin. The study, making use of a finite population of 232 staff members of the company, adopts a survey research design that is cross-sectional in nature. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s table (1970), the study’s sample size was determined to be 148. The study employed a simple random sampling technique because the staff share similar characteristics. The findings were analysed using multiple regression analysis to test the hypothesis. The results indicate that job commitment has a significant impact on organisational conflict, with a value of 0.423 and a significance level of 0.000. The study concludes that job commitment significantly affects organisational conflict. Therefore, management of conflict in Olam Flour Mills Ilorin among staff greatly affects the organisation. The study recommends that organisations should place emphasis on managing conflicts effectively because poor conflict management can have devastating effects on an organisation

    Impact of Security Challenges on Economic Stability and Development in Nigeria: Analysing the Relationship between Insecurity and Socioeconomic Growth

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    The study examined the impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s economic stability and development, highlighting the extent to which security challenges undermined key economic indicators. It addressed the persistent issue of rising insecurity, which has led to declining investments, business closures, inflation, and widespread unemployment. Despite various government interventions, the problem remained unresolved, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing security policies. The research aimed to assess how insecurity affected economic stability and national development, investigate the link between security threats and investment trends, and evaluate policy responses. It sought to answer questions regarding the extent of insecurity’s impact on business growth, employment, inflation, and critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. A qualitative research design was adopted, relying on secondary data sources such as government records, reports from security agencies, journal articles, and policy documents. Findings revealed that insecurity severely weakened investors’ confidence, led to capital flight, and increased inflation due to disruptions in agricultural production and trade. Infrastructure development, education; and healthcare also suffered setbacks, further aggravating economic instability. Despite multiple security interventions, policy responses remained ineffective due to poor coordination, insufficient funding, and systemic corruption. The study underscored the need for comprehensive security reforms and economic resilience strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of insecurity on Nigeria’s development trajectory

    Bread, Circuses, and the Politics of State-Sponsored Experiences: The Duality of Role

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    This paper examines state-sponsored experiences through the case study of the Roman Colosseum, interrogating its dual role as both a political instrument and a site of civic engagement. Built to awe, to distract, and to reaffirm imperial control, it was a spectacle that kept the masses fed, thrilled, and, most importantly, obedient. But was it truly one-sided? This paper explores the paradox of state-sponsored experiences, questioning whether the Colosseum was merely a tool of control or if audiences, in their cheers and jeers, found subtle ways to assert agency. Drawing parallels with modern mega-experiences like the Olympics, Super Bowls, national celebrations, the study examines how governments continue to wield experiences as instruments of influence. Yet, no experience remains fully in the hands of its creators. Whether in ancient Rome or today, audiences reshape meaning, proving that even the most calculated performances of power can produce something far less predictable like citizen’s authentic engagement or social cohesion

    The Political and Military Dimensions of Countering Extremism in West Africa: A Study of Nigeria

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    This article examines Nigeria's military and political strategies in countering Boko Haram, a significant threat to national and regional security. The rise of Boko Haram has posed complex challenges, necessitating a multifaceted response that encompasses both military operations and political reforms. The military strategies employed include counterinsurgency operations, the establishment of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for regional cooperation, and intelligence gathering through community engagement. While these efforts have led to territorial recovery and operational gains against Boko Haram, persistent violence and the group's resilience highlight critical shortcomings, including intelligence failures and troop morale issues. On the political front, the Nigerian government has recognised the importance of governance reforms and humanitarian assistance in addressing the root causes of extremism. However, challenges such as corruption, inadequate humanitarian responses, and limited reintegration programmes for former combatants hinder effective implementation. This article argues that a holistic approach combining military action with meaningful political reforms is essential for sustainable counter-extremism efforts. Strengthening intelligence capabilities, improving military logistics, and fostering community trust are crucial steps toward enhancing operational effectiveness. Ultimately, achieving lasting peace and stability in Nigeria requires addressing both immediate security concerns and the socio-economic grievances that fuel radicalisation. This study contributes to the discourse on counter-terrorism in West Africa by providing insights into Nigeria's unique challenges and opportunities in combating violent extremism

    The United Nations at 80 Years of Existence: The Achievements and Challenges in Global Peace and Security in the 21st Century

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      Lecture Delivered by Ambassador Usman Sarki, Former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York.   At the 8th Edition of the Diplomatic Dialogue Series organised by the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria     &nbsp

    The Impact of Restorative Justice Programmes on Reducing Recidivism Rates in Multi-Agency Anti-Corruption Efforts

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    This study examines the effectiveness of restorative justice as an alternative approach to traditional punitive measures in handling corruption cases. While punitive approaches emphasise deterrence through imprisonment and fines, restorative justice focuses on accountability, reparation, and reintegration. The study is grounded in Restorative Justice Theory, which emphasises repairing harm and fostering offenders’ accountability. Using a qualitative research methodology, the study analyses case studies, policy evaluations, and expert interviews to assess the implementation and impact of restorative justice in corruption cases. Thematic analysis is applied to identify patterns in asset recovery, voluntary disclosures, and public trust in anti-corruption institutions. Findings indicate that restorative justice can enhance transparency, increase asset recovery rates, and encourage whistleblowing. However, challenges such as political interference, legal constraints, and public perceptions of leniency hinder its effectiveness. The study concludes that while restorative justice is not a standalone solution, it serves as a valuable complement to punitive measures. Strengthening legal frameworks and institutional safeguards can enhance its role in anti-corruption efforts, making justice systems more inclusive and effective

    The Role of Online Platforms in Addressing Gender Based Violence in Wagige Kiambu County, Kenya

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    Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical global issue, disproportionately affecting women, men, and marginalised communities. As digital technologies evolve, online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, forums, and specialised support websites have emerged as key tools in addressing GBV. This study examines the role of these platforms in raising awareness, providing resources, facilitating reporting, and mobilising communities to combat GBV in Wagige, Kiambu County, Kenya. The research explores three main questions: (i) How effective are online platforms in raising awareness and providing resources compared to traditional support systems? (ii) What mechanisms do online platforms use to facilitate reporting and support for victims, and how do these impact victims’ willingness to seek help? (iii) How do online platforms contribute to the mobilisation of communities and advocacy groups, and what role does user engagement play? Data were collected through a questionnaire from 20 respondents, to capture their experiences with online platforms addressing GBV. Findings suggest that 85% of respondents were aware of online platforms dedicated to GBV, with 60% having accessed resources. While 90% of respondents found these platforms somewhat or very effective compared to traditional systems, challenges such as difficulty navigating reporting mechanisms and limited trust were also noted. Additionally, 50% of the respondents participated in online discussions on GBV, demonstrating the potential for community mobilisation on these platforms. However, user engagement was seen as key, with respondents stating that advocacy efforts are more successful when users actively participate in campaigns and discussions. The study observes that even as online platforms enhance awareness and support for GBV manifold, barriers persist in access, usability, and community mobilisation. The report also includes recommendations on how the mechanisms of reporting, preserving anonymity, and encouraging users to more actively use the platforms can be improved to increase their impact on GBV

    Exploring the Biases in the Decision to Download mHealth Apps: A Discrete Choice Experimental Analysis of Nigerian Healthcare App Users

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    Globally, mobile health (mHealth) tools are becoming more widely available. This provides great benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. However, mHealth adoption is still comparatively low. Furthermore, few studies have examined people's intentions to download mHealth apps. The purpose of this study is to investigate people's propensity to use mobile health apps. The discrete choice experiment method was employed to investigate healthcare application users in Nigeria. Two main features (attributes) of the mHealth applications, subscription cost and data protection, were presented to the 1600 participants in the study. Each feature had two levels: ‘free subscription’ and ‘20subscriptionforcost,anddataprotectionandnodataprotectionfordataprivacy.Thepricingfordataprotectionis20 subscription’ for cost, and ‘data protection’ and ‘no data protection’ for data privacy. The pricing for data protection is 20, equivalent to N39, 058.76 (at the rate of 1=N1,502.26),whilethefreesubscriptionoptiondoesnotincludedataprotection.Atotalof1,600participantswererandomlyselectedthroughawebbasedsurveyemployingaproportionatestratifiedsamplingtechnique.DatawereanalyzedusingaconditionallogisticregressionmodelinR(Clogit),yielding43,200observations(1600participants×18availablechoices×3alternatives).TheresultsrevealedthatcostanddataprotectionsignificantlyinfluenceduserswillingnesstodownloadmHealthapps.Specifically,theoddsratio(OR)forpaidapps(1 = N1, 502.26), while the free subscription option does not include data protection. A total of 1,600 participants were randomly selected through a web-based survey employing a proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data were analyzed using a conditional logistic regression model in R (Clogit), yielding 43,200 observations (1600 participants’× 18 available choices× 3 alternatives). The results revealed that cost and data protection significantly influenced users’ willingness to download mHealth apps. Specifically, the odds ratio (OR) for paid apps (20) was 0.498 (95% CI: 0.468–0.530), indicating a reduced likelihood of download compared to free apps, while the OR for data protection was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.232–0.270), suggesting that participants strongly preferred apps that ensured privacy of health data. The model yielded a log-likelihood of –23,165.48 and an R² of 0.113, confirming a good model fit. The findings imply that users are significantly more inclined to adopt mHealth apps that are free and guarantee data protection. Reducing cost barriers and strengthening privacy measures are, therefore, essential strategies for enhancing mHealth adoption in Nigeria and similar contexts

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