Afe Babalola University Based Journals
Not a member yet
992 research outputs found
Sort by
Optimising Logistics Operations using Geospatial Algorithms with Adaptive Route Evolution
Get PDFRapid urbanisation in cities like Lagos, Nigeria has impaired traffic congestion and route-planning, causing delivery delays stemming from logistic inefficiencies leading to operational costs; to overcome these challenges, an Adaptive Route Evolution (ARE) model that integrates A* for initial shortest-path generation, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) for offline route refinement, and Reinforcement Learning (RL) for real-time adjustments based on live traffic data is proposed. In simulations of two vehicles traversing standard delivery corridors with geospatial road-network data and real-time traffic APIs, Vehicle 1’s delivery time decreased from 78 min to 70 min after A* (–10.3%), 65 min after GA (–17%), and 61 min after RL (–21.8%), while Vehicle 2’s time fell from 120 min to 90 min after A* (–25%), 83 min after GA (–30.8%), and 79 min after RL (–34.2%), yielding an average 27.5% reduction in delivery time and an estimated 22% drop in fuel and driver costs. ARE provided a complete end-to-end optimisation framework by combining RL’s adaptability with A*’s shortest-path planning and GA’s sequence optimisation. It demonstrated scalability and effectiveness in dynamically optimising urban logistics, reducing both transit delays and carbon emissions, and enabling a more sustainable and cost-efficient transportation system in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 11, and 13
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Chatbot and Social Media Community for a Mental Health Monitoring Web-Application
Get PDFMental health is a major challenge for modern society affecting people of working age and their families, jobs, and communities. To provide continuous emotional support, personalized assistance, and remote mental health tracking, chatbots and social media platforms are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI). There is little or no previous literature that has documented a fully functional mental health monitoring web-app that uses AI to provide all these features: chatbot, e-community, video conferencing, and email automation. Chatbots are software systems that offer various interactive online services, including people with mental health needs and have been successfully integrated into the field of mental healthcare. Similarly, social media can help monitor the mental health situation by extracting information from posts for sentiment analysis as people often post their feelings on social media, so analysing these posts can reveal their mood, emotion, cognition, or mental state. This paper solves the problem sentiment by using the MERN stack to develop an interactive mental health monitoring application which features: social media community, chatbot named ‘Dave the HappyBot’, Email automation and video conferencing. The results showed that among the 13 users of the web-app from a performance indices class of A, B, C, D, and E, majority indicated that they felt ‘happier’ and ‘somewhat mentally relieved’ after interacting with the Chatbot. The A class recorded 18% responses, B class obtained 31%, the C class got 19%, the D class achieved 26%, and the E class gained 6%. The users were open to recommending the App to their peer and meeting their psychologist for constant mental health monitoring sessions. This paper can be further improved documenting the developments of web-app with more users who possess higher knowledge of software development and have a history of mental health struggle. Higher utility of the MERN stack would also be an improvement
The Status of Women: Social and Religious Roles of Women in the Pre-Colonial Igbo Society
Get PDFIgbo women at every historical juncture have played crucial roles, especially in the social and religious aspects of their various families, localities or communities. While they may not have held formal political titles in pre-colonial times, their influence reached far beyond the family space. They were caregivers, healers, matchmakers, and custodians of spiritual order. Indeed, they stood at the centre of rituals, ceremonies, and the moral life of the community. Karin Barber’s studies on African women, especially her work on Yoruba cultural practices, show how women often carry artistic and religious traditions. This study draws inspiration from her insights. However, it moves the discussion into the Igbo world, focusing on how artistic, social, and religious practices in Igbo society rested heavily on women both before and after colonial contact. Nevertheless, many practices survived, adapted, or merged with new realities. This study examines those changes. It explores how women maintained influence through religious duties, social alliances, and communal leadership even when formal authority structures changed. The goal is to highlight how their skills, traditions, and networks shaped Igbo society across different periods. The paper adopts qualitative historical methodology in conducting in-depth oral interviews, Focus Group Discussions, as well as content analysis based on data extracted from relevant literature. The findings demonstrate that revisiting women’s historical roles is crucial for shaping contemporary policies on gender, rights, and social development in Nigeria
Current Research and Future Trends in Solar Energy Technology Integration with Smart Grids
Get PDFThe growing challenges of solar intermittency and grid instability threaten the reliability and scalability of renewable energy integration worldwide. This study addresses these critical issues by evaluating recent advances in photovoltaic (PV) systems, concentrated solar power (CSP), energy storage, and adaptive grid controls. Through analysis of global case studies, such as Vietnam’s solar farms and South Africa’s AI-enabled microgrids, it demonstrates how smart inverters, AI algorithms, and hybrid systems effectively reduce variability and enhance overall efficiency. Reviewed literature highlights AI solar forecasting technologies achieving up to 95% accuracy, while hybrid PV-CSP-storage systems deliver 25% higher efficiency. Building on these insights, the study proposes a scalable roadmap for renewable energy adoption that prioritises technological synergy and policy innovation, thereby accelerating the global transition toward sustainable, resilient energy systems
Gender Dynamics in Entrepreneurship Among Women and Men Grocery Sellers: A Case Study of OAU Campus Central Market, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Get PDFThe study examines the gender aspects of entrepreneurship among the small-scale grocery sellers at the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus Central Market, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. In-depth interviews were held using qualitative methods, where ten entrepreneurs (five men and five women) were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using Atlas.Ti. The study examines motivations, barriers, and coping mechanisms, and specifically the differences in the experiences of men and women. The findings of the study show that men and women are attracted to grocery entrepreneurship by facilitating factors like family support, ease of entry, and the likelihood of immediate profit. However, women experience different obstacles, such as greater obstacles to formal credit, socio-cultural pressures, and gender biases, which complicate their preparation to merge business and household life. Men, however, tend to have broader access to financial and social resources but must face regulatory issues and some discrimination in the shape of slight acts of consumer bias. In both categories, Informal savings plans, cooperativelending, and community networks were also used as survival strategies. The study highlights how entrepreneurship in the Nigerian informal sector has been influenced by not only the economic factors but also cultural and institutional pressures. It concludes that to facilitate equity and enhance the sustainability of local enterprise, inclusive financial efforts, supportive policies, and institutional reforms are needed
Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThis study evaluates the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality of boreholes within Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Southwestern Nigeria. Seven groundwater samples were collected randomly and analyzed to determine key physicochemical parameters. Field measurements included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, and salinity, while laboratory analysis of major ions and trace metals was performed using ICP-OES. Results showed that groundwater in the area was slightly acidic, with pH values ranging from 6.2 to 6.9. EC (239.5–524.9 µS/cm) and TDS (142.7–323.1 mg/L) fall within World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, indicating low mineralization and freshwater. Major cations occurred in order of Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Mg²⁺, while the anions were in order of Cl⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > HCO₃⁻,. Piper diagram classification revealed the dominance of calcium–chloride water type, suggesting significant rock–water interaction and mineral dissolution processes. Although most major ion concentrations were within the WHO standards, the trace elements—including Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Ni—exceeded the recommended limits of WHO at some locations, indicating localized anthropogenic contamination. These elevated concentrations pose potential health risks and reduce suitability of the groundwater for domestic purpose. Generally, the groundwater within ABUAD fell within freshwater and suitable for domestic use; however, evidence of trace elements enrichment highlights the need for continuous water quality monitoring and the implementation of environmental management strategies to prevent further contamination
High prevalence of vaginal trichomoniasis and genotype characterisation (T. Vaginalis G3) in Pregnant Women in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Get PDFTrichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, remains the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infection globally and is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes, particularly during pregnancy. Despite its public health significance, diagnostic gaps, asymptomatic carriage, and limited molecular epidemiological data continue to impede effective control in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and genotype characteristics of T. vaginalis among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Ekiti State. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 consenting pregnant women attending the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. Demographic and obstetric information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Participants were aged 21–40 years, predominantly married, educated, and in the third trimester. High vaginal swab samples were examined using wet mount microscopy and Giemsa stained preparations. Molecular analysis was performed using PCR targeting the T. vaginalis-specific TVSK gene, followed by sequencing, BLAST alignment, and phylogenetic analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis gestational infection by microscopy was 33.3%, indicating a high infection burden. A significant association was recorded between age and infection status (p = 0.047), with the highest prevalence observed in second-trimester women. No significant association was found with age, marital status, education, parity, or clinical symptoms. Molecular testing confirmed T. vaginalis in four of five microscopy-positive samples and additionally detected one microscopy-negative infection, demonstrating the increased diagnostic power of PCR. Sequencing and phylogenetic comparison revealed that the isolates aligned with T. vaginalis genotype G3 but exhibited distinct nucleotide variations, suggesting localised genetic diversification. The documented high prevalence of trichomoniasis among pregnant women demonstrates a continuing public health challenge in the study area, with potential implications for adverse maternal-neonatal outcomes. The findings support the need for routine antenatal screening, the integration of nucleic acid amplification tests, effective partner management strategies, and enhanced health education. Continued molecular surveillance is recommended to monitor genotype evolution and its possible relationship to virulence or treatment response
Examining the Nature and Causes of Youth Restiveness in New Nyanya, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the nature and causes of youth restiveness in New Nyanya, a peri-urban settlement within Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The research forms part of a broader investigation into the effectiveness of community participation in addressing youth restiveness, with this seminar paper focusing specifically on one key objective. Adopting a qualitative research design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with selected youths, community elders, and key informants, including security and youth development officers. The study found that youth restiveness in New Nyanya manifests in cult-related violence, political thuggery, drug abuse, vandalism, and social disorder. These behaviours are driven by a combination of factors, including unemployment, exclusion from governance, family breakdown, peer influence, drug accessibility, and political manipulation. The findings further reveal that the proximity of New Nyanya to Abuja exacerbates feelings of relative deprivation, as youths compare their socio-economic circumstances, unfavourably, with those in the Federal Capital Territory. The study concludes that youth restiveness in the area reflects broader systemic and structural failures rather than mere deviance. It recommends multi-layered responses, including targeted economic empowerment, inclusive youth engagement structures, family and community mentorship, and stronger local governance. The paper contributes to the understanding of youth restiveness as both a social and developmental issue requiring coordinated, context-specific solution
Corruption and Governance in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Buhari Administration, 2015-2023
Get PDFNigeria gained independence in 1960 and the global expectation was that the country would experience rapid development, given its human and mineral resources. Over six decades later, the country is yet to break free from the shackles of underdevelopment. A review of the literature on Nigeria shows that corruption and bad governance are mainly responsible for its developmental challenges. The success of Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential polls was seen as a watershed in the political and developmental annals of the country, given the credibility of the election and the trust reposed in Buhari to make good his electioneering campaign of ridding Nigeria of corruption and to govern according to the dictates of the law. At the end of his second term in office in 2023, Nigeria seemed to be more steeped in corruption with good governance remaining a mirage. Employing the historical approach and with a review of secondary data on the country, the study examined the Buhari Administration (2015-2023) and assessed it poorly in terms of its anti-corruption crusade and adherence to the principles of the rule of law. It found that the administration was more autocratic than preceding administrations and was not sincere in adhering to its promise to curb corruption in the country. The study urged the Nigerian government to develop the will to tackle corruption and govern democratically
Linking Past and Present: A Critical Analysis of the US-Libya Intervention in Relation to Proposed US Military Support for Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigates how the legacy of the United States intervention in Libya continues to shape current debates about proposed US military support for Nigeria’s security problems. It looks at the political, security and regional consequences of the Libya crisis and shows how the collapse of state institutions in 2011, along with the spread of armed groups across the Sahel, reshaped West Africa’s security environment. The study uses a qualitative design that draws on policy documents, scholarly work and interviews with experts to trace how lessons from Libya influence the thinking of Nigerian policymakers, civil society actors and security analysts as they weigh the risks and possible gains of deeper US involvement. The analysis brings forward the concerns that often guide these discussions, including fears over sovereignty, long-term stability and the unintended effects that external military actions can trigger. At the same time, it considers the view that carefully structured US support could strengthen Nigeria’s counter-banditry and counter-terrorism efforts if managed within clear political and operational boundaries. By connecting a past intervention to a present policy dilemma, the study shows how historical experience shapes security choices in Nigeria today. The findings help clarify the conditions under which external assistance can support, or undermine, national security goals in fragile and conflict-prone settings