Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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Divine Algorithms? Artificial Intelligence and the Reconfiguration of Organized Religion in the Digital Age
Get PDFThis article argues that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a threat to organised religion, but a transformative partner capable of reshaping religious practice, theology, and organisational structure. Drawing from interdisciplinary and African humanistic scholarship, the study, asks how can AI improve church administration, facilitate evangelisation, help with theological reflection, foster inter-religious dialogue, and how does it pose ethical and doctrinal challenges? The main point is that the ethical use of AI could be a technology and God. That is, the technology and God together enhance religion’s ability to interpret, communicate and humanise in the digital age. The study is conceptual and interpretive in its methodology and is based on critically synthesising literature across theology, media studies, and ethics. Drawing primarily from African perspectives, we present a decolonised framework for the ethics of AI based on communitarian responsibility and spiritual integrity. The analysis shows how AI can be viewed as a medium for the negotiation of moral, cultural, and theological meaning through the contribution to a technological theology. It sees divine agency and digital systems as mutually formed, not at odds with each other. Accordingly, this research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by formulating an ethical-theological framework that positions faith institutions to leverage AI within a construct of pastoral care, inclusive dialogue, and global solidarity, thereby transmuting technological innovation into a moral-spiritual enterprise
The Compounding Pain of Familial Betrayal and Institutional Failure in Nigerian Rape Narratives
Get PDFThis article examines the representation of rape in Nigerian literature, a topic often shrouded in cultural silence and stigma. It argues that selected Nigerian novels provide a crucial platform for exposing the compounded pain of sexual violence, a pain intensified by familial betrayal and institutional failure. Drawing on transactional reader-response theory, this qualitative study analyses Yejide Kilanko’s Daughters Who Walk This Path and Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death to explore how cultural norms perpetuate the suffering of rape victims. Using close reading as an analytical tool, the study examines how characterisation, plot, and literary devices depict the psychological aftermath of rape. The transactional reader-response theory is applied to understand the dynamic interaction between the text and the reader's interpretation of these traumatic experiences. The findings reveal that victims often endure self-blame, isolation, and a lack of institutional, with priorities like family honour aggravating their trauma. This research emphasises literature’s critical role in challenging harmful norms and fostering empathy, recommending awareness campaigns, policy reforms and community based initiatives to protect survivors and prevent further harm
Ifá, Polygyny and Gender Politics: Interpreting Ambivalence in Yorùbá Marriage Culture
Get PDFThis paper offers a critical reframing of polygyny in Yorùbá society by examining Ifá not as a doctrinal authority but as a philosophical archive that illuminates the coexistence of moral ambiguity, gendered power, and cultural hybridity. Rather than treating polygyny as a fixed “tradition,” this paper positions it as a site where religious syncretism, patriarchal politics, and modern identity-making intersect. Through analysis of Odù Ifá, literary texts, oral histories, and popular music, we demonstrate how competing interpretations of culture emerge from selective invocation of Yorùbá epistemologies. Ifá’s ambivalence, we argue, is methodologically generative as it invites an understanding of polygyny inherent in orí, circumstance, and shifting social imaginaries rather than as a uniform cultural mandate. By juxtaposing Ifá’s nuanced portrayals with the distortions reproduced in popular culture, this paper reveals how musicians, novelists, and public discourse often mobilize “culture” to legitimize male privilege, commodify women, and elevate hierarchical domestic arrangements. However, the same cultural field contains women’s counter-narratives from literary critiques to feminist resignifications that unsettle patriarchal readings and articulate alternative moral frameworks. Thus, this paper advances the scholarly conversation by neither romanticising nor pathologising Yorùbá heritage. Instead, it traces polygyny as a dynamic institution shaped by religious hybridity, gendered negotiations, and the enduring Yorùbá philosophical principle of Ọmọlúwàbí (Motadegbe & Ibiyemi, 2025), which holds that virtues and vices coexist. This repositions Ifá as a critical lens for interpreting contemporary gender debates, while offering culturally grounded framework for understanding how Africans themselves grapple with entanglements of tradition, modernity, and justice
Community-Based Policing Strategies for Promoting Development and Stability in Kogi State
Get PDFKogi State, like many regions in Nigeria, grapples with persistent insecurity, community mistrust, and underdevelopment. Armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, and political violence continue to undermine grassroots peace efforts and economic progress. In response to these challenges, community-based policing has emerged as an alternative approach aimed at improving security outcomes by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local stakeholders. This study explores the role of community policing in promoting development and stability across selected communities in Kogi State. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study utilised data from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and official reports from community policing units and civil society organisations. The analysis focused on local perspectives, policing strategies, and collaborative frameworks involving vigilantes, neighbourhood watch groups, and traditional authorities. Findings reveal that effective community policing has led to increased public trust in security agencies, improved information flow, and more proactive responses to crime. The involvement of local actors, particularly through neighbourhood security groups and multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms, has enhanced social cohesion and contributed to a decline in petty crimes and communal disputes. However, persistent challenges such as inadequate funding, poor training, and political interference continue to limit the impact. The study concludes that community-based policing, when properly structured and supported, can significantly contribute to grassroots stability, promote participatory governance, and foster long-term local development. It recommends strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing community-police relations, and ensuring inclusive security planning at the local government level
Abduction Dynamics in Oyo State, Nigeria: Patterns, Trends and Security Implications
No full textAbduction and kidnapping have become major security challenges in Nigeria, posing serious threats to public safety, economic activities, and social stability. This study examines the dynamics of abduction in Oyo State, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on its patterns, trends, and security implications. A mixed-method research design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to 340 respondents across three selected local government areas. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted with 60 participants, including security personnel, vigilante members, community leaders, and residents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and mean scores, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that abduction incidents have increased in recent years and are more prevalent in rural and semi-rural communities, particularly along poorly monitored highways and forest corridors. Ransom demands were identified as the primary motive for most abduction cases, with victims often selected based on perceived economic status. The study also finds that local information gathering by community actors plays a critical role in detecting suspicious activities and supporting security operations. However, challenges such as fear of retaliation, weak coordination between communities and security agencies, and limited surveillance infrastructure reduce the effectiveness of intelligence sharing. The study recommends strengthening community-based intelligence networks, improving inter-agency collaboration, and enhancing security presence in high-risk areas
Nigeria Police Medical Services since 1975
No full textScholars have analysed various aspects of the history of the Nigeria Police Force. Yet, the health aspect has remained under-researched in the mainstream literature on policing in Nigeria. The article represents a departure from existing traditions and forms the first attempt to analyse the nature and patterns of the Nigeria Police Medical Services (NPMS) from a historical perspective. The study has utilised oral testimonies, archival documents and extant literature to analyse the impact of the Nigeria Police Medical Services on the health status of officers. It found that before the establishment of the NPMS in 1975, government-funded general hospitals and army hospitals provided medical care for officers. However, the institutionalisation of medical care by the Nigeria Police through the establishment of NPMS opened a new vista for improved health of police personnel and their dependents. The article concludes that the NPMS, through its activities, have contributed to the good health of the officers. However, the benefits from its establishment have not been fully maximised due to a lack of health manpower, inadequate infrastructure and equipment and insufficient funding, among others
Workplace Disputes and Employee Performance in Private Universities in Nigeria: Evidence from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
No full textWorkplace disputes are an inevitable aspect of organisational life, particularly in knowledge-driven institutions such as universities, where diverse professional roles, expectations, and interests coexist. In Nigerian private universities, unresolved workplace disputes have increasingly raised concerns regarding employee morale, productivity, and institutional effectiveness. This study examines the influence of workplace disputes on employee performance at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from academic and non-academic staff with the use of a structured questionnaire. Workplace disputes were assessed in terms of interpersonal conflict, role-related disputes, and management-employee disagreements, while employee performance was measured through indicators such as job satisfaction, commitment, productivity, and service delivery. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques. The findings reveal that workplace disputes have a significant negative effect on employee performance, particularly in areas of job satisfaction and organisational commitment. However, evidence also suggests that when effectively managed, certain task-related disputes can contribute positively to problem-solving and innovation. The study concludes that effective dispute management mechanisms are essential for enhancing employee performance in private universities. It recommends the strengthening of institutional conflict resolution frameworks, improved communication channels, and continuous training in conflict management for university administrators
Factors Associated with Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Utilisation Among Female Students in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution
No full textThe utilisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among female undergraduates in higher institutions is essential for promoting well-being and addressing public health challenges. Though there is access to these services, the utilisation rate remains low due to structural and behavioural factors. The study aimed to investigate the factors influencing SRH service utilisation among female undergraduates in the university. A school-based cross-sectional research design was adopted to investigate factors influencing SRH service utilisation among female undergraduates in a Nigerian university. A sample of 383 female students aged 15-24 was selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS and STATA. Results showed that overall SRH service utilisation was low at 35%. Key determinants included living arrangements, employment status, service preference, discussing SRH issues, healthcare workers' attitudes, and waiting time. These findings highlight the need for improvements in healthcare system infrastructure, service delivery, and awareness campaigns to increase SRH service uptake among female students. The study concluded that low SRH service utilisation among female undergraduates is hindered by structural and behavioural factors. Policymakers and university administrators must collaborate to address these challenges and ensure that SRH services are accessible and responsive to students' needs
Relationship between Work Flexibility, Work-from-Home Practices, and Job Satisfaction among Freelancers in Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study explores the relationship between work flexibility, work-from-home practices, and job satisfaction among freelancers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 293 freelancers across various sectors, including graphic design, writing, programming, and consulting. A purposive sampling technique ensured the selection of participants with relevant experiences in flexible work arrangements. Three validated instruments were employed: the Flexible Work Options Questionnaire (FWOQ), the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), and the Work from Home Scale, which assessed attitudes toward flexible work practices, job satisfaction levels, and competencies in managing remote work. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients, were conducted using SPSS. The findings revealed significant positive correlations between work flexibility and job satisfaction (r = 0.789), as well as between work-from-home practices and job satisfaction (r = 0.831). These results emphasize the vital role of flexible work arrangements in enhancing job satisfaction among freelancers. The study offers original insights into the often-overlooked freelance workforce, indicating that increased flexibility and effective work from home practices can lead to higher job satisfaction and engagement
The Importance of Stakeholders' Engagement in the Implementation and Adoption of E-Procurement in Building Construction Projects in the Federal Capital Territory
Get PDFIncorporating stakeholders’ engagement is essential for the successful implementation and adoption of e-procurement in building construction projects across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As digital technologies revolutionise the construction industry, e-procurement offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, transparency, cost savings, and streamlined procurement processes. However, achieving these advantages depends on the active involvement of key stakeholders, such as government agencies, construction firms, suppliers, policymakers, and technology providers. This study aims to explore the impact of stakeholders’ engagement on e-procurement adoption in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The study adopts mixed-methods in data collection and analysis. The participants are stakeholders involved in the e-procurement implementation within FCT Administration. The findings from the study revealed high correlation between stakeholders’ engagement and e-procurement adoption. The key obstacles to e-procurement adoption include resistance to change, insufficient technological infrastructure, inadequate digital literacy, and concerns about cybersecurity. Additionally, the study found that the advantages of e-procurement include shorter procurement cycle times, reduced risks of corruption, improved contract administration, and enhanced project efficiency. The study recommends stakeholders’ education, policy alignment, structured communication systems, and leadership support as strategies to address e-procurement implementation challenges. Collaboration is also emphasised to build trust and facilitate the widespread acceptance of digital procurement solutions. The study serves as a guide to top management towards the adoption of e-procurement