GLOBAL JOURNAL OF MODERN RESEARCH AND EMERGING TRENDS
Global Journal of Modern Research and Emerging Trends (GJMRET) is a quarterly publication by Word Astra Publishers. It is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing scholarly research across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Peer Counselling and the Prevention of Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students: A Review of Theoretical and Empirical Evidence
Drug abuse among secondary school students remains a persistent global and Nigerian public health and educational concern, with adolescents rendered particularly vulnerable by the developmental salience of peer influence during this life stage. Peer counselling, in which trained students provide guidance and support to fellow students, has been widely adopted by schools as a preventive strategy that harnesses positive peer influence rather than treating it solely as a risk factor. This paper undertakes an integrative review of the theoretical and empirical literature on the role of peer counselling in preventing drug abuse among secondary school students. The review is anchored in Bandura's social learning theory and Rosenstock's health belief model, which together explain how peer-modelled behaviour and risk perception shape adolescents' decisions about substance use. Empirical evidence is drawn from intervention and correlational studies conducted in Nigeria and internationally, including systematic reviews of school-based prevention programmes, to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led approaches relative to adult-led alternatives. The review finds consistent, though not unqualified, support for the effectiveness of peer counselling and peer-led education in improving drug-related knowledge, strengthening resistance to peer pressure, and reducing risk behaviour, while also identifying structural constraints, including inadequate training of peer counsellors, weak supervision, and inconsistent institutional support, that limit programme effectiveness in many school settings. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening the design, training, supervision and institutionalisation of peer counselling programmes as a component of a comprehensive school-based drug abuse prevention strategy.
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Innovation in Infrastructure and Industrialization: Issues and Challenges in Nigeria’s Economic Growth
Nigeria's economic growth has been constrained by persistent infrastructure deficits, weak industrial performance, limited innovation, and institutional inefficiencies. This study examines the extent to which infrastructure development, industrialization, innovation, access to finance, institutional capacity, and corruption influence economic growth in Nigeria. Guided by Schumpeter's Innovation Theory and Endogenous Growth Theory, the study adopted an ex post facto research design using annual time-series data from the World Development Indicators and the National Bureau of Statistics. Descriptive statistics, unit root tests, cointegration analysis, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model were employed to estimate both short- and long-run relationships. The findings indicate that investment in infrastructure, manufacturing value added, and ICT adoption significantly promote economic growth, highlighting the complementary roles of infrastructure, innovation, and industrialization in driving sustainable development. In contrast, infrastructure development, access to finance, institutional capacity, and corruption exhibited negative but statistically insignificant effects, suggesting that structural and governance weaknesses undermine their growth-enhancing potential. The study concludes that achieving sustained economic transformation requires not only increased investment in infrastructure and industrialization but also stronger institutions, improved financial access, effective anti-corruption measures, and policies that foster technological innovation and productive investment. These findings provide empirical evidence to support integrated policy reforms aimed at accelerating Nigeria's long-term economic growth.
The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Information Services
The convergence of artificial intelligence with academic library practice represents one of the most consequential technological intersections in the history of information services. Globally, AI tools, including chatbots, machine learning cataloguing systems, recommendation engines, natural language processing (NLP) interfaces, intelligent search systems, and generative AI platforms, are progressively reshaping how academic libraries acquire, organise, preserve, and deliver information to scholars, students, and researchers. Yet the pace and equity of this transformation are deeply uneven: while leading institutions in North America, Europe, and parts of the Asia-Pacific are rapidly integrating sophisticated AI capabilities into their core service workflows, academic libraries in developing regions and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, face structural barriers that limit meaningful AI adoption and risk deepening the information access divide. This study examines the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in academic libraries, with specific attention to the challenges and prospects for achieving sustainable information services. Grounded in four theoretical frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovations Theory, Socio Technical Systems Theory, and Responsible AI Theory, and drawing on a systematic review of peer-reviewed scholarship, policy frameworks, and institutional assessments published between 2020 and 2025, the study identifies and analyses the major strengths and weaknesses of AI in academic library settings, evaluates the policy frameworks governing AI deployment, and assesses the implications of AI adoption for information service sustainability. Findings reveal that while AI offers transformative prospects, including enhanced information retrieval, personalised user services, automated cataloguing, improved accessibility, and operational efficiency, its adoption is constrained by significant challenges including inadequate digital infrastructure, funding deficits, acute AI literacy gaps among library professionals, algorithmic bias and ethical risks, data privacy concerns, workforce displacement anxieties, and the absence of institution-specific AI governance policies. The study advances eight evidence-based policy recommendations for enabling sustainable, equitable, and ethically governed AI adoption in academic libraries.
Cybersecurity and Information Management in Digital Libraries: Emerging Challenges for Nigerian Academic Institutions
The progressive digitisation of library services in Nigerian academic institutions has created unprecedented opportunities for knowledge access while simultaneously exposing institutional information systems to an expanding and increasingly sophisticated landscape of cybersecurity threats. This study examines cybersecurity and information management in digital libraries of Nigerian universities, with a specific focus on the emerging challenges, policy frameworks, institutional responses, and prospects for sustainable security governance. Drawing on a systematic review of peer-reviewed scholarship, policy documents, and institutional assessments published between 2019 and 2025, the study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of current cybersecurity practices and information management strategies in Nigerian academic libraries; assesses the adequacy of the national policy environment, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 (as amended in 2024), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) of 2023, and relevant NITDA guidelines; and identifies the structural, institutional, and human capital factors that shape cybersecurity outcomes. Findings indicate that Nigerian academic libraries face a complex threat matrix encompassing computer viruses, hacking, and unauthorised access to information resources, phishing, ransomware, insider threats, and social engineering attacks. These threats are compounded by structural vulnerabilities such as inadequate funding, erratic electricity supply, insufficient ICT infrastructure, an acute shortage of trained cybersecurity personnel, and the absence of institution-specific cybersecurity policies in most universities. While the national policy framework has been progressively strengthened, culminating in the comprehensive NDPA of 2023 and the amendment of the Cybercrimes Act in February 2024, its translation into effective institutional practice in academic library settings has been slow and uneven. The study is anchored in four theoretical frameworks; the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) Triad Model, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) theory, Routine Activity theory, and the Socio Technical Systems Theory. Seven substantive policy recommendations are advanced for strengthening cybersecurity governance and information management in Nigerian academic digital libraries.
Oil Spillage and Fishing Decline in Ibeno, 1998–2010
This study examines how persistent oil spillage led to fishing decline in Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, between 1998 and 2010. The problem it addressed was the destruction of artisanal fishing livelihoods in one of Nigeria's most productive coastal fishing communities. The study adopted an analytical historical methodology and made use of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework as developed by Chambers and Conway and later systematised by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development. Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, newspaper accounts, and the documented testimonies of affected individuals, including fishermen. The study found that oil spillage eroded all five livelihood capitals identified by the SLF. Natural capital was depleted through the destruction of fish populations and estuarine habitats. Physical capital was damaged through the contamination and accelerated deterioration of fishing equipment. Human capital declined through health deterioration and the forced migration of skilled fishing labour. Financial capital was progressively exhausted as income collapsed, and no compensation was paid. Social capital was undermined by displacement, community disaggregation, and the total failure of regulatory institutions to enforce accountability. The study concludes that the fishing decline documented in Ibeno was not just a series of discrete environmental accidents but the structural dispossession of a community whose livelihood assets were comprehensively dismantled by environmental contamination in the absence of institutional protection. The study suggests that multinational oil oil companies, state and federal governments should be accountable by taking responsibility in preventing the spill from further happening or take immediate steps to clean up whenever it happens.
An Empirical Analysis of the Influence of Budgetary Allocation on Rural Development in Rivers State
Abstract This study examined the influence of budgetary allocations on rural development in Rivers State, Nigeria, from 1990 to 2025. It specifically analysed the influence of fiscal spending on agriculture, education, and infrastructure regarding rural development. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was utilized to assess both long-term and short-term correlations among the variables. The results demonstrated that financial investments in agriculture, education, and infrastructure had positive and statistically significant effects on rural poverty in both the short and long term. Augmented agricultural expenditure facilitated poverty alleviation by enhancing farm output, rural incomes, and employment prospects, while educational financing advanced human capital development and income-generating potential in rural regions. Infrastructure allocation diminished rural poverty by enhancing access to markets, healthcare, and economic prospects. Furthermore, the expansion of deposit money banks was determined to alleviate rural poverty by enhancing financial accessibility and bolstering small-scale rural firms. The research demonstrates that persistent and strategically targeted financial investments are essential for alleviating rural poverty and promoting rural development in Rivers State. The paper recommends synchronized planning of sectoral investments, augmented support for agricultural and educational advancement, and continuous infrastructure investment to enhance livelihoods in rural communities. The study improves comprehension by providing empirical evidence on the dynamic interactions between sectoral public expenditure and rural poverty, offering insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL)
Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Broadcast Efficiency of Selected Radio Stations in Akwa Ibom State
Abstract This study examined the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on broadcast efficiency in select radio stations in Akwa Ibom State, focusing on AKBC, Atlantic FM, and Comfort FM. The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed media operations globally, making AI an important tool for improving broadcasting processes. However, the extent of AI adoption and utilisation in radio broadcasting in Nigeria remains uncertain. The study specifically investigated the level of AI adoption in the selected stations and the impact of content automation, audience analytics, and AI-driven interactions on broadcast efficiency as well as the challenges associated with AI adoption. The study adopted a survey research design. The population consisted of 210 staff members drawn from six directorates in the three radio stations, including marketing, administration, programmes, news and current affairs, planning, research and statistics, and technical departments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Simple percentages and weighted mean scores were used for data analysis, while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed to test the hypotheses and determine the relationship between AI variables and broadcast efficiency. Findings revealed that the level of AI adoption in the selected radio stations was low. The study also identified inadequate funding, poor technological infrastructure, lack of technical expertise, and resistance to technological change as major challenges hindering AI adoption. The study concluded that AI has the potential to improve broadcast efficiency significantly if properly integrated into broadcasting operations. Therefore, the study recommended increased investment in modern technologies, staff training, and improved technological infrastructure.
Readiness Assessment of Construction Firms for Fourth Industrial Revolution Implementation in Nigeria
The construction industry remains one of the least digitalised major economic sectors despite the global diffusion of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies such as building information modelling, the Internet of Things, big data analytics, robotics, drones and cyber-physical systems. This paper examines the readiness of construction firms in Nigeria for 4IR implementation through a structured narrative-systematic review and synthesis of literature on technology readiness, the diffusion of innovation, and Construction 4.0. Based on established readiness models in developed and developing economies, the study develops a sixteen-variable readiness framework across technological, organisational and environmental dimensions. The findings indicate that the readiness of Nigerian construction firms is generally low to moderate, mainly constrained by inadequate ICT infrastructure, limited financial capacity for technology investment, scarcity of digitally skilled personnel, weak government policy support, and cautious organisational culture towards innovation. Emerging enablers include increased awareness among younger professionals and greater exposure to building information modelling in polytechnic and university curricula. The paper argues that the readiness assessment must be conducted before the large-scale 4IR rollout; otherwise misallocation of resources and failure of implementation are likely to occur, especially among small and medium-sized contracting firms that dominate the Nigerian market. It recommends a staged, stakeholder-led adoption pathway based on capacity building, infrastructure investment and supportive policy. The sixteen-variable framework presented is a pragmatic diagnostic tool that construction firms, policymakers and researchers can adapt for empirical readiness assessment in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Public-Private Partnerships and Housing Exclusion: Interrogating the Corollaries of Market-Driven Urban Housing Delivery in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Policy circles across sub-Saharan Africa widely celebrate the proliferation of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks in urban housing delivery as a transformative mechanism for closing the housing deficit. Yet the lived reality in many Nigerian cities tells a more troubling story, one in which market logic systematically marginalises the urban poor and perpetuates structural housing exclusion. This study interrogates the corollaries of market-driven PPP housing delivery in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria's oil-rich South-South territory, where rapid urbanisation and growing middle-class aspirations have catalysed significant private sector investment in residential real estate yet deepened affordability crises for low- and medium-income households. Using a cross-sectional survey design, quantitative data were collected from 385 purposively and systematically sampled respondents across three principal urban centres, Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene, drawn from household residents, real estate developers, government housing agency officials, and registered built-environment professionals. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Mean Item Score (MIS), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Ordinal Logistic Regression via the SPSS PLUM procedure. Findings reveal that over 73% of PPP housing output in the study area targets high- and upper-middle-income groups; that affordability ratios are critically misaligned with median household income levels; and that systemic barriers, including restrictive mortgage conditions, absence of inclusionary zoning policies, and weak regulatory oversight, create a self-reinforcing cycle of housing exclusion. The paper argues that without deliberate pro-poor design requirements embedded in PPP contractual frameworks, market-driven housing delivery will continue to reproduce socio-spatial inequality rather than ameliorate it. A contextual policy optimisation model is proposed to guide equitable PPP housing governance in Akwa Ibom and comparable South-South Nigerian urbanising contexts.
Artificial Intelligence Chabots Utilisation and Customer Patronage of Selected Banks in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
This study employed the survey research technique and the questionnaire as an instrument in gathering primary data from customers of Zenith, UBA, and Stanbic IBTC banks in Akwa Ibom State, to ascertain whether any significant relationship existed between their utilisation of the banks’ AI chatbots for self-service banking transactions and patronage of the banks. The population of this study comprised a cumulative population of 643,487 customers of the select banks, while data aimed at achieving the research objectives were collected from a sample of 400 customers of the select banks as determined using the Taro Yamane formula. To reach the respondents with the research instrument, the researcher adopted the Probability Proportionate to Size (P.P.S.) and availability sampling procedures. The primary data gathered were analysed using simple percentages and presented in frequency tables. The major findings of the study revealed that customers of the select banks patronised the banks as a result of the banks’ AI chatbots (248 [62%]). Among other relevant recommendations, the branch managers, corporate communications/public relations, and technical/ICT units of the select banks should mitigate the risk perception of AI chatbots among some sections of their clientele to ensure wider acceptance, adoption, and patronage of the self-service innovations.
The Influence of Job Autonomy and Corporate Ethics on the Psychological Well-Being of Health Workers in Makurdi
This study examined the influence of job autonomy and corporate ethics on the psychological well-being of health workers in Makurdi, Benue State. Psychological well-being is a critical factor in the effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare delivery, making it important to understand organizational factors that may enhance or hinder it. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from a total of 197 health workers, comprising 106 males and 91 females, aged between 26 and 60 years, with a mean age of 43 years. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Three standardized instruments were used for data collection: the Job Autonomy Scale, the Corporate Ethics Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings revealed that job autonomy did not have a significant independent influence on the psychological well-being of health workers, leading to the rejection of the first hypothesis. However, corporate ethics had a significant influence on psychological well-being, resulting in the acceptance of the second hypothesis. Additionally, the results indicated that job autonomy and corporate ethics jointly influenced the psychological well-being of health workers. This suggests that while job autonomy alone may not significantly predict psychological well-being, its interaction with strong corporate ethical practices can enhance employees’ mental and emotional health. Based on these findings, the study recommends that healthcare organizations prioritize ethical standards and supportive work environments to promote the psychological well-being of their workforce. Suggestions for further research were also provided.
The Tale of Ibaka in the Face of the Blue Economy: Putting Akwa Ibom State at the Height of a Maritime Hub
This paper focuses on the significance of the blue economy in the growth of the Nigerian economy using the Ibaka (Ibom) deep seaport as the template for a sustainable blue economy program. The paper argues that, despite the blue economy's significant contributions to the economies of both developed and developing nations, particularly through deep seaports, efforts to realize the Ibom deep seaport for the growth of Nigeria's economy are hindered by a lack of political will, chauvinistic agendas, and insufficient collaboration with relevant stakeholders. This paper suggests that there must be a coherent regulatory landscape, with an urgent need for resolute governmental intervention, in view of the identified limitations associated with the realization of the Ibaka deep seaport. There should also be an interplay between international laws and treaties and national legislation, which must be directed at accentuating prudent resource allocation towards sustainable blue initiatives, steadfast research, and cutting-edge technology development.
Public Relations Alignment with Host Community Expectations in Employment: Evidence from Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus
Public relations (PR) strategies play a critical role in managing conflicts between universities and their host communities, particularly during employment-related crises. This study examined the extent to which the PR strategies of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obio Akpa Campus, align with the needs, interests, and expectations of the host community in conflicts arising from the nonemployment of community indigenes. Anchored in Excellence Theory and Stakeholder Theory, the study adopted a mixed-methods research design. A sample of 322 respondents was drawn from the Obio Akpa host community using Philip Meyer’s sampling formula. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal a marked misalignment between institutional PR strategies and host community expectations, particularly in areas of transparency, inclusiveness, and feedback Key challenges undermining effective PR implementation include poor communication, trust deficits, political interference, and limited stakeholder participation. The study concludes that without deliberate alignment of PR strategies with host community expectations, employment-related conflicts are likely to persist. It recommends participatory communication frameworks, enhanced policy transparency, and sustained dialogue as pathways to sustainable conflict resolution.
The Implication of Coronavirus on Human and National Security in Nigeria
The reconceptualization of security at the end of the Cold War in the 1980s, expanding it to encompass human security and, indeed, health security, emerged as a result of multiple interconnected factors. These factors challenged the state-centric notion of conventional security to enable a broader, comprehensive concept of security to emerge. This was because the challenges posed by pandemics such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), Lassa fever, tuberculosis, Ebola, and, recently, coronavirus globally have been conceptualized as threats to human and national securities. This paper aims to highlight the negative implications of the coronavirus on human and national security in Nigeria, as well as its growing effects on economic, social, and diplomatic relationships among countries globally. The emergence of the coronavirus in 2019 in China once again moved health from the periphery to core status in the nation's foreign policy. It argues that the menace has expanded the frontier and paradigm of security to include humanitarian, environmental, economic, gender, health, food securities, etc. It concludes that there is the need to rejig security architecture not only in Nigeria but globally to respond to the complexity and interrelatedness of both old and new security threats.
Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Library Personnel in Federal Universities, South-South Nigeria
This study investigates the impact of leadership style on library personnel in federal universities in South-South Nigeria. The research examines the prevalent leadership styles adopted by library administrators and their effects on job satisfaction, motivation, and performance of library staff. A survey of 204 library personnel from three federal universities in the region reveals that transformational leadership is the most prevalent style, followed by transactional and laissez-faire leadership. The findings indicate that transformational leadership has a significant positive impact on staff performance, while transactional leadership has a moderate impact. The study recommends leadership training and development programs to enhance library management effectiveness, promote staff motivation, and improve job satisfaction. The implications of these findings for library management and future research were discussed.
Trade Liberalization and Unemployment in Nigeria
This study examines how trade liberalization affected Nigeria's unemployment rate from 1981 to 2024, utilizing exchange rates, trade openness, and foreign direct investment (FDI) as explanatory factors. The work uses a parsimonious error correction model (ECM) to capture both long-term and short-term dynamics. The findings show that while FDI has a little impact, trade openness considerably raises unemployment in the short term. Higher unemployment is positively correlated with exchange rate depreciation. With a negative and significant ECM term, deviations from long-run equilibrium appear to be adjusting at a pace of 19.7% each period. The results show that trade liberalization may make unemployment in Nigeria worse if it is not accompanied by conducive domestic labor and industrial policies. To optimize employment advantages from trade openness, the report suggests conducting targeted labor market measures, stabilizing the currency rate, encouraging labor-intensive FDI, bolstering local sectors, and enacting phased liberalization policies.
The Significant Roles of Libations as a Symbol of Harmony amongst Indigenous People of Akwa Ibom State
Libation remains one of the most enduring symbols of cultural harmony among the indigenous people of Akwa Ibom State. Despite the influences of modernisation, religion and globalisation, the practice continues to express the people's commitment to unity, truth and respect for ancestral values. This paper examines the significant roles of libation as it serves as a spiritual link between the living and the dead, promotes reconciliation and social order and ensures that community decisions are anchored on peace and moral responsibility. Libation is the ritual act of pouring liquid to honour ancestors and deities, reflecting the people's worldview of unity, respect and spiritual continuity. It also examines the vital role of libation in sustaining social cohesion, promoting peace, and reinforcing communal relationships across various ethnic groups, including the Ibibio, Annang, and Oron. This study highlights that libation is traditionally performed by elders, family heads, chiefs and priests who serve as custodians of culture and moral authority. Through its performance during meetings, festivals and conflict resolution, libation symbolises reconciliation, ancestral guidance and collective responsibility. The paper seeks to examine further the changing patterns of libation practices in different communities in Akwa Ibom State, noting a gradual shift from purely religious to symbolic cultural expression, influenced by modernisation and Christianity. The aim of the study is to highlight the significant role of libation that remains a potent medium for invoking ancestral blessings, expressing communal solidarity, and maintaining peace among community members. The paper adopted the empirical method of contacting texts and relevant journals for information. The study concludes that the continued practice and adaptation of libation affirm its enduring relevance as a cultural mechanism for promoting harmony, moral order, and social unity among the indigenous people of Akwa Ibom State.
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Skill-Biased Technological Change and Its Impacts on Labour Market Polarisation
Gender inequality continues to be a significant issue in the global labour market, with women frequently encountering wage disparities, occupational segregation, and restricted access to skills training, as well as informality and workplace discrimination. These challenges reduce women's participation in high-paying sectors and confine many to low-wage, insecure and informal employment. This paper underscores the importance of labour market interventions as essential instruments for tackling gender disparities and fostering inclusive economic growth. Key interventions encompass the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, the bridging of wage gaps, and the promotion of equal opportunities in hiring and promotion. The paper examines how expanding access to skills development particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) empowers women to compete in high demand sectors such as ICT and engineering. It also explores additional interventions that support work–life balance, including parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and childcare services, which enable women to reconcile family responsibilities with professional growth. Furthermore, the paper addresses the challenges of extending social protection to informal workers, with a focus on ensuring that women in vulnerable employment have access to healthcare, pensions, and maternity benefits. The paper explains policies that prevent workplace harassment and promote female entrepreneurship, which further strengthen women's labour market positions. The method applied is by contacting relevant texts and journals for information. The research concludes that addressing gender issues through comprehensive labour market policies is not only a matter of equality but also an economic necessity, as empowering women in the workplace contributes to productivity, innovation, and sustainable development.
Employer Non-Remittance and Corruption as Determinants of Ineffective Pension Administration in Nigeria
Pension administration remains central to the financial security and social welfare of retirees in Nigeria. Despite the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2004 and subsequent reforms in 2014, retirees continue to experience delayed benefits, financial instability, and declining trust in the pension system. This paper examines two critical challenges undermining effective pension administration in Nigeria: firstly, employers' nonremittance of mandatory counterpart pension contributions and secondly, corrupt practices among pension administrators. Drawing from empirical and theoretical literature as well as documented pension reforms, the study reveals that persistent non-remittances disrupt pension fund accumulation, deepen pension arrears, and erode pensioners' welfare. The study also finds that corruption manifests in embezzlement, falsification of records, diversion of funds, and administrative opacity, ultimately weakening governance and accountability within the pension system. The paper concludes that without stringent enforcement mechanisms, transparent administrative structures, and improved regulatory oversight, pension reforms may continue to fall short of guaranteeing retirees' long-term welfare.
Curriculum Implementation Fidelity and School Leadership Practices: An Empirical Study of Public Secondary Schools
This study examines the relationship between curriculum implementation fidelity and school leadership practices in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The correlational survey research design was adopted for the investigation. The study population comprised 6,475 principals and teachers across 228 public secondary schools, out of which a multi-stage sample of 376 respondents was selected. Two validated instruments, titled the Curriculum Implementation Fidelity Scale (CIFS) and the School Leadership Practices Questionnaire (SLPQ), were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, and simple linear regression at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that curriculum implementation fidelity in public secondary schools is moderately high, with teachers generally adhering to curriculum content and engaging students effectively, though full instructional coverage remains a challenge. Leadership practices received high ratings, especially in supervision, communication, and teacher motivation. However, the use of monitoring and evaluation to improve instruction was not high. Results further showed a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between school leadership practices and curriculum implementation fidelity (r = 0.612, p < .05). Regression analysis confirmed leadership practices as a significant predictor of fidelity. The study concludes that effective school leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring faithful curriculum delivery and improved instructional quality. It recommends strengthening instructional leadership capacity, enhancing feedback mechanisms, and improving teacher support systems to promote better curriculum outcomes in public secondary schools.
Arms Production and Proliferation as a Major Threat to Nigeria's National Security: A Comparative Regional Analysis
The production and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) constitute a major threat to Nigeria's national and human security architecture. While formal arms manufacturing remains limited, Nigeria is a conduit for illicit arms due to porous borders, weak regulation, local craft production, and transnational criminal networks. This research examines arms through a comparative regional analysis of Nigeria's major conflict zones, focusing on insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central region, separatist violence in the Southeast, and militancy in the Niger Delta. The findings reveal that arms proliferation in Nigeria is driven by a combination of economic deprivation, institutional failure, corruption, and regional insecurity dynamics. The paper highlights that arms proliferation is not merely a security problem but a governance and development crisis in all regions. The method involves contacting texts, relevant journals, and security and state fragility frameworks to explain how arms availability undermines the state monopoly of violence, escalates communal conflicts, weakens law enforcement, and sustains criminal economics in Nigeria. The paper concludes that without comprehensive arms control, regional cooperation, community-based disarmament, and institutional reform, Nigeria's security challenges will persist. The paper recommends a multidimensional approach integrating border management, arms regulation, livelihood alternatives, and strengthened accountability mechanisms.
Impact of Decentralization and E-Administration on Organizational Performance
The pre-reforms period of Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was marked by inefficiencies, including the lack of a reliable system for tracking company compliance. To address these challenges and enhance its performance, the CAC undertook reforms incorporating the Contemporary Public Management (CPM) model. This study examines the impac t of two k e y components of the s e re forms (decentralisation and the adoption of e-administration) on the organisational performance of the CAC. Using public choice theory as the theoretical framework, the study employs both descriptive and survey methods to analyse the reforms. A total of 388 questionnaires were distributed to staff of the CAC and registered business owners. The findings reveal that decentralisation and the introduction of e-administration have significantly improved CAC's performance, as evidenced by streamlined company registration processes and increased operational efficiency. The study recommends further strengthening of compliance and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of these improvements, thereby boosting investor confidence and public trust in the CAC.
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Hands-On and Virtual Learning Instructional Strategies on Biology Students' Academic Achievement on Respiration in Abak, Akwa Ibom State
The study investigated educational hands-on and virtual learning instructional strategies on biology students' academic achievement on respiration in Abak, Akwa Ibom State. Three research questions were raised and three null hypotheses guided the study. The design for the study was quasi-experimental pretest, post-test equivalent group design. The population of the study consisted all 3,620 Senior Secondary School Two students offering biology in all the 10 public secondary schools in Abak Local Government Area. A sample size of one hundred and fiftythree (153) senior secondary two biology students were selected using purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was Biology Achievement Test. The reliability of the instruments was determined using Kuder Richardson 21 (KR-21) and gave 0.77. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at p˂0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed a significant difference in the academic achievement mean scores of biology students taught respiration using hands-on and virtual learning instructional strategies. Gender was found not to be a significant factor affecting students' academic achievement. Based on the findings, it was recommended that biology teachers should be encouraged to adopt hands-on as instructional strategy for effective teaching of respiration.
Spousal Support and Workplace Adjustment of Secondary School Teachers in Uyo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
The study investigated the relationship between spousal support and workplace adjustment of secondary school teachers in the Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 917 married teachers in 15 public secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A sample of 345 married teachers was selected for the study using a simple random sampling technique. A researcher-made instrument, titled “Spousal Support and Workplace Adjustment Questionnaire” (SSWAQ), was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated while its internal consistency reliability was established, and a reliability coefficient of .71 was obtained by applying the Cronbach's alpha statistic. The Pearson product-moment correlation statistic was used to answer the research questions and also test their corresponding hypotheses. All the hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance, while all data were subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Analysis of data revealed that instrumental support and appraisal support are positively and significantly related to workplace adjustment of secondary school teachers. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between informational support and workplace adjustment of secondary school teachers. Based on the findings of the study, three relevant recommendations were made, among which is that school principals in Akwa Ibom State should conduct quarterly appraisal meetings where teachers receive verbal commendation, clear feedback on strengths, and targeted guidance on areas that need improvement.
Self Esteem, Motivation, Time Management and Academic Adjustment of Guidance and Counselling Undergraduate Students in the University of Uyo
This study examined the influence of self-esteem, motivation, and time management on the academic adjustment of Guidance and Counselling undergraduates at the University of Uyo. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A correlational research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 849 registered Guidance and Counselling undergraduate students at the University of Uyo as of the 2023/2024 academic session. Simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 272 students for the study. Data was collected using a researcher-developed instrument named "Self-Esteem, Motivation, Time Management Questionnaire (SEMTMQ) and Academic Adjustment Questionnaire (AAQ)." The instruments were subjected to face validation by three experts. The internal reliability coefficients of SEMTMQ and AAQ were .84 and .86, respectively, determined using Cronbach's alpha statistical analysis. The simple linear regression statistic was used to answer the research questions and test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that motivation and time management significantly predict academic adjustment among students. The result also revealed that self-esteem does not significantly predict academic adjustment among students. It was recommended, among others, that counsellors should encourage students to undergo continuous professional development programmes that enhance their time management for effective integration of healthy practices in adjustment.
Psycho Social Variables and Marital Adjustment of Traders in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State
This study examined the influence of psychosocial variables on marital adjustment of traders in Itu Local Government Area. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The correlational research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 2150 registered traders in the main markets of the Itu Local Government Area as of 2025. A multistage sampling procedure involving proportionate stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques was used in selecting 337 traders for the study. Data was collected using a researcher-developed instrument named "Psycho Social Variables Questionnaire (PSVQ) and Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (MAQ)". The instruments were further subjected to face validity by three experts. The internal reliability coefficients of PSVQ and MAQ were .82 and .87, respectively, determined using Cronbach's alpha statistical analysis. The simple linear regression statistic was used to answer the research questions and test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that spousal communication and social support systems significantly predict marital adjustment among traders. The result also revealed that self-esteem does not significantly predict marital adjustment among traders. It was recommended, among others, that counsellors should encourage traders to undergo continuous professional development programmes that enhance their spousal communication for effective integration of healthy practices in adjustment.
Mobile Digital Laboratories for Inclusive Science Learning
Access to quality science learning resources remains a persistent challenge in rural Nigerian schools, where limited laboratory infrastructure restricts students' ability to engage in hands-on experimentation and inquiry-based learning. This study examined the effectiveness of mobile digital laboratories as tools for inclusive science learning in bridging the rural–urban divide in the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Using a quasi-experimental design, 400 junior secondary school students participated in the study, comprising 200 in the experimental group and 200 in the control group. The Science Learning Achievement Test (SLAT) was used to collect data before and after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse students' performance. Findings revealed that students exposed to mobile digital laboratory experiences achieved significantly higher mean scores than those taught using conventional methods. The results highlight the potential of mobile digital technologies to democratise science education, foster inclusion, and promote equity in learning outcomes across geographical divides. The study recommends adopting mobile digital laboratories as an innovative instructional model for improving science learning in underserved areas of Nigeria.
Influence of Maternal Knowledge and Attitude on the Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Working Nursing Mothers in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District
This study examined the influence of maternal knowledge and maternal attitude on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among working nursing mothers attending immunization clinics in General Hospitals in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and the population comprised 1,247 working nursing mothers who attended immunization clinics in the seven general hospitals within the district. A sample of 200 nursing mothers was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding Questionnaire (KAPEBQ). The instrument was validated by experts, and reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha, yielding coefficients of .75 for knowledge and .80 for attitude. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions, while a dependent t-test was used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that maternal knowledge significantly influences the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among working nursing mothers in the study area. Similarly, maternal attitude was found to have a significant influence on exclusive breastfeeding practice. Based on these findings, the study concluded that both knowledge and attitude play critical roles in determining whether working nursing mothers adhere to exclusive breastfeeding recommendations. The study recommends strengthening health education programs to increase mothers' knowledge and improve attitudes toward exclusive breastfeeding. It further suggests that health educators should intensify counseling and supportive interventions that address misconceptions and promote positive breastfeeding behaviors among working nursing mothers.
Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District
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Improvised Instructional Materials and Academic Achievement in Chemistry
This study investigated the use of improvised instructional materials and their influence on academic performance among senior secondary school chemistry students in Government Secondary School, Afaha Atai, Eket. Using a mixed-method sequential exploratory design, data were collected through tests, questionnaires, and focused group interviews from 136 students and 6 chemistry teachers. The study pursued two key objectives: to explore the views of teachers and students regarding the extent to which improvised instructional materials affect academic performance in chemistry and to assess the impact of improvised instructional materials on student achievement. The results showed that both teachers and students strongly believe that improvised materials help with understanding, engagement, and memory. Challenges such as limited funding, lack of improvisation skills, and inadequate motivation were also identified as limiting effective improvisation. Statistical analysis using a dependent t-test showed a significant improvement in students' academic performance following exposure to improvised instructional materials (p < 0.05; Cohen's d = 0.9). The study concludes that improvised instructional materials significantly improve student achievement in chemistry and recommends capacity-building for teachers to enhance improvisational pedagogy.
Family Conflict Resolution and Psychological Adjustment among Married Female Bankers in Akwa Ibom State
This study investigated how family conflict resolution predicts psychological adjustment among married female bankers in Akwa Ibom State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A correlational research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 846 married female bankers in the 184 commercial banks in Akwa Ibom State as of 2025. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 344 married female bankers for the study. Data was collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled "Family Conflict Resolution and Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire" (FCRPAQ). The instrument was subjected to face validation by three experts. The internal consistency reliability of the instrument was .87, determined using Cronbach's alpha statistical analysis. The simple linear regression statistic was used to answer the research questions and test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that spouse negotiation strategies and support-seeking behaviours significantly predict psychological adjustment among married female bankers. The result also revealed that spouse communication strategies did not significantly predict psychological adjustment among married female bankers. It was recommended, among others, that married female bankers should always possess support-seeking behaviour since it enhances their psychological adjustment.