Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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Evaluating Public Perception and Awareness of Internet Fraud among Residents in Nigeria
Get PDFAs Nigeria deepens its engagement with the digital economy, internet fraud has emerged as a pervasive and socially complex challenge. What began in the 1990s with rudimentary email scams known as “419 fraud” has evolved into highly sophisticated schemes involving phishing, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud, and Business Email Compromise (BEC). Despite extensive interventions by state agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Unit, and collaborations with international bodies like INTERPOL and the FBI, internet fraud continues to thrive, particularly among Nigerian youths. This study evaluates public perception and awareness of internet fraud within Nigeria, focusing on how socio-economic hardship, youth unemployment, cultural narratives, and media portrayals shape societal attitudes towards cybercrime. Using a mixed-method approach anchored in survey data and qualitative content analysis, the study explores the paradox of widespread condemnation of cybercrime alongside pockets of social acceptance and even glorification, especially among disenfranchised youths. Prominent cases, such as the arrests of Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi), Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi), and the rise of “Yahoo Academies,” underscore the extent to which cybercrime is embedded in socio-cultural and economic systems. Public figures convicted of internet fraud are often simultaneously vilified and idolised, reflecting complex perceptions of success, justice, and opportunity in a society plagued by poverty and systemic corruption. Findings such as a 2019 NOIPolls survey indicating that 32% of youths knew someone involved in cybercrime further reveal normalisation tendencies among vulnerable demographics. The research identified several critical drivers behind the public perception of internet fraud, including structural unemployment, poor digital literacy, ineffective law enforcement, peer pressure, and media glamourisation. Furthermore, it highlighted key demographic variations in public opinion, based on age, education, gender, and region. The paper argues that existing legal and punitive responses must be supplemented by culturally informed public education, youth empowerment initiatives, ethical media regulation, and rehabilitative strategies. Only through a holistic understanding of the socio-economic and psychological dimensions of internet fraud can Nigeria develop effective policies that shift public perception and fortify digital integrity in its emerging economy
Cultural Entrepreneurs and the Dynamics of Cultural Exchange in Transnational Spaces: A Study of the Adire Guilds of Abeokuta, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the activities of cultural entrepreneurs in the craft textile industry and their impact on transnational cultural exchange, using the case of the Adire guilds in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Through a mini-ethnographic approach (12 in-depth interviews, participant observation, and the review of extant literature), the research investigates how Adire guild members translate their cultural heritage and craft skills into entrepreneurial capital, utilising flows of ideas, materials, and markets despite structural constraints found in the globalised cultural-economic arenas. The theoretical bedrock adopted is Bourdieu’s (1986) concept of cultural capital and Schumpeterian entrepreneurship theory (Schumpeter, 1934), both of which emphasise that cultural entrepreneurs not only produce goods but also craft narratives, identities and networks that enhance their value. The findings reveal: (i) craft heritage is actively commodified and repackaged for transnational markets; (ii) transnational exchange is bidirectional- raw-material imports, design inspirations from diasporas, as well as exports of finished textiles and brand narratives; (iii) institutional and market constraints in the forms of competition from low-cost imports, weak intellectual-property regimes, and fragmented value chains impact how cultural entrepreneurship plays out. This paper contributes to existing research works on transnational and development studies by shedding more light on micro-level actors’ engagement in global cultural flows and offers policy implications for enhancing the craft-industry nexus in development strategies
Assessment of the Communication Strategies in Reducing Gender-Based Violence among Selected Interventions in Makurdi Area, Benue State
Get PDFGender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a pervasive social and public health challenge in Nigeria, with patriarchal norms, cultural practices, and systemic inequalities perpetuating abuse across communities. This study examined the role of communication strategies in addressing GBV, focusing on the context of Makurdi, Nigeria. The rationale for the research stemmed from the recognition that effective communication is central not only to raising awareness but also to challenging entrenched gender norms and influencing behavioural intentions, evidence on context-specific interventions remained fragmented. Employing a conceptual, descriptive, and analytical design, the study relied exclusively on hypothetical secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, government policy documents, NGO and donor agency reports, media campaigns, and theoretical texts. The analysis employed thematic interpretation, logical reasoning, and comparative assessment to evaluate the effectiveness, limitations, and applicability of various communication approaches. Findings revealed that mass media campaigns, interpersonal communication, participatory dialogue, community mobilisation, and digital platforms significantly contributed to awareness creation and normative change. However, deeply embedded patriarchal attitudes, cultural resistance, literacy gaps, and inconsistent media reach constrained the full impact of these interventions. The study highlighted that communication strategies must be culturally tailored, survivor-centred, and multi-channel, integrating both traditional and digital platforms to achieve sustainable behavioural change. Implications suggested that strategic messaging, community engagement, and participatory approaches with youths, men, and opinion leaders were essential for reducing GBV. Overall, the study demonstrated that communication, when theoretically informed and contextually grounded, could serve as a transformative tool in reshaping gender norms, empowering survivors, and complementing broader GBV prevention and policy reforms in Nigeria
Performance Evaluation of Self-Organizing Feature Maps and Support Vector Machines in Predicting Stock Prices: A Comparative Study
Get PDFStock market forecasting plays a critical role in guiding investors and policymakers in dynamic financial environments. Despite advancements in predictive modeling, the comparative evaluation of machine learning techniques, such as Self-Organizing Feature Maps (SOFM) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), within the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) context has been limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the performance of SOFM and SVM in predicting stock prices for five NGX-listed companies: United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBNH), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Nestlé (NESTLE), and Dangote Cement (DANGCEM), spanning financial, consumer goods, and industrial sectors. The dataset consisted of approximately 2,665 daily stock price observations (about 533 per company), covering the period 2011–2019. Following data cleaning and quality checks, preprocessing included Min-Max normalization and transformation into time-series matrices to ensure robustness and consistency. The dataset was divided into training (2011–2016, about 70%) and testing (2017–2019, about 30%) periods. SOFM was utilized for clustering and pattern recognition, while SVM incorporated technical indicators such as moving averages and price fluctuations. Implementation was conducted in MATLAB R2018a with a custom graphical user interface (GUI) for result visualization. Results revealed that SVM consistently outperformed SOFM across all datasets. For the UBA dataset, SVM achieved superior metrics, including an accuracy of 90.63%, specificity of 88.89%, and F1-score of 92.82%, with a computation time of 33.10 seconds. In comparison, SOFM demonstrated slightly lower performance with an accuracy of 88.13%, specificity of 85.19%, and an F1-score of 90.91%, and a computation time of 47.02 seconds. These findings establish SVM as a reliable and efficient model for stock price prediction on the NGX. Future research could explore hybrid models and broader datasets to enhance predictive accuracy and applicability in real-time investment strategies and risk management
Development of a Small-Scale Downdraft Waste Gasification Power Generation Plant for Electrification of Households in Okada Environs
Get PDFThe rising energy demand and the environmental challenges associated with improper waste disposal underscore the need for sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This project outlines the development of an improved 6 kW biomass gasification plant for syngas production. The syngas was deployed for power generation to provide reliable and sustainable electricity for a highly agro-rich settlement in the Okada environs which currently lacks access to the national electricity grid. The components of the gasification plant including the air supply channel, reactor, grate, the hopper etc were designed. Performance analysis was carried out using food waste pellet and wood waste as fuel to test the lower heating value and cold gas efficiencies of the produced syngas. Results showed that the lower heating values and cold gas efficiency using fuel wood were 4.3417 MJ/kg and 59.0316% respectively, while for food waste pellet were 5.5995 MJ/kg and 76.2463% respectively. A total cost of three hundred and fifty thousand naira was utilized in the fabrication of the gasification plant
Hydrogen Separation and Purification Techniques in Pyrolysis-Based Processes
Get PDFThe production of hydrogen via pyrolysis process has gained a significant attention due to its capacity to offer reliable and sustainable as well as efficient techniques for hydrogen energy generation. Despite these benefits, there are challenges with its purification and separation which represent a major procedure during its production. This study focused on the current methods deployed in hydrogen production with emphasis on its separation and purification during pyrolysis-based process. These methods include pressure swing adsorption, membrane filtration and cryogenic separation techniques. Each of the methods, principles of operation as well as it relates to the pyrolysis gas composition were discussed. Their advantages, limitations and the desired purity of hydrogen produced were inclusive during the discussion. Findings showed that despite the significance of these technologies, research is still needed to achieve a more cost effective, scalable and energy efficient methods for the production of hydrogen especially in the areas of purification and separation
Eco-Friendly Tile Production: Transforming Waste Glass into Economic Environmental Value
Get PDFThe increasing accumulation of glass bottle waste (GBW) in Nigeria presents is a pressing environmental concern due to its non-biodegradable nature and minimal recycling initiatives. Its reuse in construction materials also offers a sustainable solution. This study evaluates the feasibility of using GBW in tile production. By incorporating finely ground waste glass as a primary constituent for fine aggregates in combination with Portland Limestone Cement, experimental tile samples were produced and tested to determine their suitability for construction use. Cement proportions were varied at 10%, 15%, and 20% to examine their influence on physical and mechanical properties such as water absorption, modulus of rupture, surface hardness, and thermal resistance. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate key physical and mechanical properties, including modulus of rupture, splitting tensile strength, water absorption, apparent relative density, bulk density, moisture expansion, linear thermal expansion, and hardness. The results revealed that tiles containing waste glass exhibited improved mechanical performance, particularly in terms of flexural and splitting tensile strength. This indicates that waste glass contributes positively to the structural integrity of the tiles. However, the tiles also showed increased water absorption, which may affect long-term durability, especially in moisture-prone environments. Despite this limitation, the findings suggest that waste glass can be effectively used as a material in tile production, promoting recycling and reducing reliance on natural raw materials
Investigating the Mechanical Characteristics of Coconut Fibre/Eggshell Powder/Alumina Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites
Get PDFThe development of hybrid polymer composites reinforced with renewable and waste-derived fillers has been prompted by the growing need for high-performance, sustainable materials. The mechanical behaviour of epoxy-based hybrid composites reinforced with alumina, eggshell powder, and coconut fibre is examined in this work. Tensile, impact, hardness, and wear tests were conducted in compliance with applicable ASTM standards after the materials were manufactured utilizing the hand lay-up method with different reinforcing ratios. With maximum values of 79.80 VHN and a specific wear rate of 0.000438 mm³/Nm, respectively, the results demonstrated that the addition of alumina and eggshell greatly increased hardness and wear resistance. Conversely, composites with higher fibre content exhibited better impact resistance due to improved energy absorption mechanisms, while intermediate formulations with 60% epoxy, 20% coir, 10% alumina, and 10% eggshell demonstrated a balanced combination of strength, toughness, and durability. The results show that appropriate fibre and filler loading optimization can provide lightweight, environmentally friendly composites appropriate for roofing and structural applications, supporting waste conversion and sustainable material development
“Una no kon sabi anything”: The Pragmatics of Discourtesy in Selected Nigerian GenZee Celebrities’ Social Media Posts
Get PDFGenZee celebrities, while trying to confront the unbridled criticisms of cyber hecklers, resort to discourteous lexical items to save their damaged faces. Although studies on GenZee’s language use and style on social media have been explored, significant scholarly effort has not been solely dedicated to the uncivil language choices of Nigerian GenZee celebrities (henceforth NGCs). This study investigates the discourteous patterns that characterise the social media posts of Nigerian GenZee celebrities in response to the verbal and non-verbal taunts of netizens and how the GenZees’ social identities are subtly unraveled. Jacob Mey’s (2001) pragmatic act theory serves as the theoretical basis for the analysis. Selected posts of Habeeb Hamzat (Peller) and Amadou Elizabeth (Jarvis), two popular Nigerian GenZee social media influencers/celebrities, were purposively selected and retrieved on Tiktok and Twitter (X). The descriptive design was adopted and data were subjected to pragmatic analysis. Findings reveal that the social media posts of the two NGCs are furnished with impoliteness strategies through grammatical subversion, spiritual invocation, blame-shifting/buck-passing, and pidginisation to show utmost discourtesy and displeasure to the intended recipients of their posts and to address the excesses of cyberbullies. These devices were activated through specific pragmatic acts: condescending, praying, cursing practs, questioning and asserting practs. Through specific linguistic and pragmatic features/techniques, NGCs suppressed face attacks from individuals or situations perceived as threats to protect their public self-image (faces).o contribute to the evolving body of knowledge on the discursive manifestations of impoliteness/discourtesy among GenZee speakers (precisely NGCs
Pop Culture, Commercialisation of Indigenous Music, and the Urhobo GEN-Z Audience in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the commercialization of indigenous music and the reaction of Urhobo Gen-Z audience in Nigeria. It assesses the role of Gen-Z in the commercialization of indigenous Urhobo music. In other words, the research argues that the Gen-Z generation has impacted tremendously on the landscape of indigenous music in Urhobo land in Delta State, Nigeria. Gen-Z is the short form for generation-Z. This group of young adults were born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. The study employs the qualitative methodology and uses interview as a tool to complement the qualitative method. The research is anchored on Adam Smith’s (1776) theory of commercialization. Findings in this study reveal that the reaction of Gen-Z participants to the commercialization of indigenous music genre is relatively positive. Also, their consumption of indigenous Urhobo music is moderate compared to other Afrobeat music genres highly rated by Gen-Z in Nigeria. Gen-z has impacted on indigenous music of Urhobo in Nigeria due to high rate of streaming of traditional music on multimedia platforms like Spotify. The research concludes that, there is a positive reaction towards commercialization of indigenous music by Urhobo Gen-Z audience in Nigeria. The study recommends that the Gen-Z generation of the Urhobo cultural landscape should increase the rate of patronage of the Urhobo music, especially tracks infused with traditional rhythms, folk elements and popular contemporary genres