INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF AFRICAN & ASIAN STUDIES (IJAAS)
The Interdisciplinary Journal of African & Asian Studies (ISSN:2504-8694; E-ISSN:2635-3709) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that provides a platform for critical and comparative research on the histories, cultures, languages, economies, and socio-political systems of Africa and Asia. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, IJAAS encourages contributions from fields such as anthropology, history, political science, international relations, literature, linguistics, development studies, and cultural studies. The journal seeks to foster cross-regional understanding and dialogue by highlighting both the unique and shared experiences of African and Asian societies in a rapidly globalizing world. By bridging geographical and disciplinary boundaries, IJAAS promotes innovative scholarship that deepens insights into the complex dynamics shaping the two continents, while advancing academic collaboration across diverse intellectual traditions. IJAAS is domiciled in the department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
NIGERIA’S DIPLOMATIC HEGEMONY IN WEST AFRICA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE THREE GUINEAS: GUINEA CONAKRY, GUINEA-BISSAU, AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA
This article examines the evolution of Nigeria’s "Pax Nigeriana" through a comparative historical analysis of its diplomatic and military interventions in the Three Guineas: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. Historically serving as the sub-regional "paymaster," Nigeria has shouldered a significant "hegemonic burden," contributing over 60% of the ECOWAS annual budget and expending an estimated $20 billion on regional peacekeeping by 2025. While about $688 Million have been expended in the Three Guineas alone since 1975. By analyzing Nigeria’s interventions in the 2021 coup in Conakry, the 2022 stabilization mission in Bissau, maritime security leadership in the Gulf of Guinea and other related events, this study argues that Nigeria’s hegemony has transitioned from raw military enforcement to a nuanced, normative stabilization diplomacy. Despite internal security pressures and a resurgence of regional instability through 2025, Nigeria remains the indispensable pillar of West African stability, albeit one increasingly constrained by the domestic opportunity costs of its "concentric circle" foreign policy.
Pax Nigeriana, Nigeria, Foreign Policy, West Africa, Diplomacy, ECOWAS, Conflict Resolution, Hegemony, Three Guineas, Afrocentric, Concentric Circle
URBANIZING THE BLACK SPACE AND THE COLONIALITY OF POWER IN RICHARD WRIGHT'S NATIVE SON
Coloniality of power structures racial and spatial hierarchy that characterize modern American urban spaces. This paper examines how Richard Wright’s Native Son depicts Chicago’s Black urban space as a representation of coloniality of power and Black experience from trans-Atlantic slavery. The paper employs Aníbal Quijano’s postcolonial-psychoanalytic theory to examine how racial segregation in the city does not only controls Black people but also fractures Black minds. Focusing on three research objectives, the paper aims to examine: the ghetto as a colonial enclave, how coloniality structures racial and spatial hierarchies, and how Bigger Thomas’s psychic experiences reflect the mental cost of urban coloniality. The findings show that Wright portrays the city as a system that keeps colonial power alive through space, economy, and knowledge, while Bigger’s violence and resistance expose the deep psychological damage it causes. The article, however, brings a new insight to the reading of Native Son by linking slavery and structural oppression with mental trauma, while the text still speaks to racial struggles today.
Trans-Atlantic slavery, Black urban space, Postcolonial-Psychoanalysis, Racial Segregation, Trauma and Richard Wright
Copyright (c) 2025 INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF AFRICAN & ASIAN STUDIES (IJAAS)
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ROBERT NOZICK'S ENTITLEMENT THEORY OF JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, LAW AND SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT
The focal point of this paper is to analyze Robert Nozick’s entitlement theory of justice which was drafted as an argument against traditional distribution theories. Nozick’s theory of justice claims that whether a distribution is just or not depend entirely on how it comes about. By contrast, justice according to equality, need, desert or Rawl’s different principles of Justice depend entirely on the “pattern” of distribution. He objected to these patterned distributions due to their deficiencies. To this he propounded the entitlement theory which is primarily concerned with respecting people’s rights, especially, their rights to property and their rights to self-ownership. Entitlement theory of justice involves three ideas; justice in acquisition, justice in transfer, and rectification of injustice. Most political philosophers rejected Nozick’s entitlement perspective, for its shaky foundation and lack of practical relevance. This paper therefore will establish critical analysis of Nozick's entitlement theory of Justice, law and Societal development. In an attempt to inquire into Nozick’s theory to highlight some of the perceived strengths, defects, inconsistencies and hidden fallacies and to offer some remedial solutions where necessary. We then conclude that through affirmative action and his rectification criteria that his philosophy is still relevant in our contemporary world especially in Nigeria.
Entitlement Theory of Justice, Libertarian rights and Human rights, Minimal State
Awoke Onuora Stephen; Barr. Agudosy Fabian Ikechukwu (Supervisor)
PHILOSOPHER QUEEN AND PLATO’S JINGOISM OF WOMEN LIBERATION
The woman is a being often enveloped in layers of mystery. She has led men, across time, to question both her nature (ontologically) and her capabilities (functionally). Consequently, the “woman question”—who she is and what she is capable of—has persisted throughout history. Using the philosophical method of analysis, this paper examines Plato’s perspective on this question, with the aim of emphasizing the equality of men and women while drawing attention to the injustice historically faced by women. The scope of the paper covers the nature of the Greek state, its democratic political system, and the condition of women in Athenian society, where unequal treatment consistently favored men. Despite the widespread subjugation of women, Plato advances an argument for radical egalitarianism, maintaining that both men and women should be considered equally capable of becoming philosopher-kings or philosopher-queens. For him, although only a few individuals—whether male or female—attain excellence in virtue, such individuals should be selected to rule, regardless of gender, alongside others who share similar qualities. This argument challenges and transcends social practices grounded in unjust assumptions of male superiority. Consequently, this paper affirms that men and women are fundamentally equal. Philosophers, wherever they are found—whether men or women—should be identified and entrusted with leadership as philosopher-kings or philosopher-queens.
FAMILY AS THE FULCRUM OF LIFE AND NOVITIATE FOR DEMOCRACY
By its nature, the family is the basic unit of any socio-political structure and serves as its primary agent of socialization. Thus, democracy, like every other socio-political organization, has the family as its foundation. However, within a democratic system, the family performs a distinctive role as a form of novitiate, where individuals are first introduced to the values and practices of communal life. This study therefore seeks to examine this unique koinonia (communion) between the family and democracy. To achieve this, it employs the analytical method to critically assess the socio-political relevance of the family within a democratic setting. It further expands its focus to the human family, conceived metaphorically as a “mother” that performs the dual existential roles of nurturing and launching life—that is, both life-bearing and life-giving. Recognizing that the equality upheld in democracy derives not from race, color, ethnicity, or tribe but from the inherent dignity of the human person, the paper presents the family as the prototype of democratic life, where individuals learn to love others simply for who they are. It argues that if this principle cannot be realized within the family, its realization in a broader democratic context is unlikely.
Family, life, democracy, socialization, organisation, koinonia
MODERNISM AND THE CRISIS OF SELF-DISCOVERY
This article examines the profound challenges of self-discovery in the context of modernist thought, highlighting the tension between individual identity and the rapidly changing social, cultural, and technological landscapes of the modern era. Drawing on literary and philosophical texts, the study explores how modernist sensibilities expose fragmentation, alienation, and existential uncertainty within the self. The analysis demonstrates that modernism, while often celebrated for its aesthetic innovation, simultaneously reflects a crisis of selfhood characterized by inner conflict, moral ambiguity, and the quest for authentic existence. By integrating insights from existentialist and sociological perspectives, the article underscores how modernist philosophy illuminates both the vulnerabilities and the potential for self-knowledge in an age of social flux. The findings suggest that engaging with modernist texts offers a critical lens for understanding the enduring dilemmas of identity formation, self-expression, and the pursuit of meaning in contemporary life.
Modernism, self-discovery, alienation, existentialism, identity, fragmentation
PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE IN ONITSHA: A STUDY OF FEGGE, ONITSHA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE
This study explored public perception and attitudes towards the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Onitsha, with a focus on Fegge in Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The objectives of the study were to examine the major causes of poor participation in monthly environmental sanitation, assess the impact of such poor participation, and proffer solutions for improving participation in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The theories used in the study include Nightingale’s Theory, Social Control Theory, and the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and was anchored on the Health Belief Model to explain factors influencing public perception and participation in monthly environmental sanitation. The sample size was 200 respondents. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents. The instruments for data collection were a structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency tables and simple percentages. The study hypotheses were tested using Chi-square (χ²) inferential statistics. Data from the in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that respondents are highly familiar with the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, but they exhibit a negative attitude toward participation. The study recommends intensified public awareness campaigns on the health risks associated with unclean and unsafe environments. It also calls for the enforcement of strict government policies against violators of monthly sanitation regulations in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Environmental degradation, Environmental pollution, Refuse disposal, Sanitation
Okeke, Obinna Chukwudalu (PhD); Abali, Fidelis Alimo
RE-EMERGENCE OF WOMEN’S ARTISANAL MINING IN OKPELLA EDO STATE NIGERIA, 1960–1980
Several studies have examined events that occurred on the eve of Nigeria’s independence and those that have taken place since its independence in 1960. These studies cover a wide range of issues, including the strategies adopted during the decolonization process, post-independence crises, the civil war, post-war reconstruction, and the Indigenization Decree. Historians, political scientists, sociologists, and anthropologists have also interrogated the impact of key developments such as the oil boom of the 1970s, development planning in the 1970s, the political changes that ushered in the Second Republic in 1979, and the economic challenges of the 1980s. However, none of these studies has examined the re-emergence of women’s artisanal mining in Okpella, Edo State, Nigeria, from 1960—when Nigeria attained independence—to 1980, when the chieftaincy declaration law recognized the authority of traditional rulers over Okpella and its environs. This gap limits a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s post-independence economy in general and Okpella’s local economy in particular. This study investigates the re-emergence of Okpella women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) between 1960 and 1980, following their marginalization in formal mining at independence. Utilizing oral interviews, archival records, and field observations, it traces how the collapse of large mining firms—triggered by oil discovery in 1956, the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and indigenization policies—created opportunities for women to dominate the local extraction of limestone, granite, and gravel. The analysis highlights persistent challenges, including restricted access to finance, licenses, land, and technology; low bargaining power; health risks arising from dust inhalation, pit collapses, and environmental pollution; and cultural and legal discrimination that confined women to informal and vulnerable operations. Environmental consequences—such as deforestation, water contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs), and soil degradation—underscore the unsustainable nature of unregulated ASM. The study concludes that the resilience of Okpella women in navigating postindependence economic challenges exemplifies female agency in Nigeria’s informal sector and offers critical lessons for gender-inclusive mining policies, environmental regulation, and sustainable livelihood strategies
Artisanal Mining, Women Entrepreneurs, Okpella, Post-independence Nigeria, Gender Inequality, Environmental Degradation
Ayodele Samuel ABOLORUNDE, PhD; Arebamen, Donald Dennis
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AS CORRELATES OF STUDENTS’ LEARNING OUTCOME IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study examined technology integration as correlates of students’ learning outcomes in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population comprised 21,667 SSII students in 267 public secondary schools in Anambra State. A sample of 650 students was drawn from the population. The instruments for data collection were researcher-structured questionnaires titled “Technology Integration Questionnaire (TIQ)” and “Mathematics Test Questions (MTQ).” The face validity of the instruments was established by three experts: one in Measurement and Evaluation and two in Educational Management, all from the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Construct validity of the instruments was determined using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) statistic was used as a measure of sampling adequacy. The reliability of the instruments was determined using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding an average coefficient of 0.76.Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to answer the research questions, while tests of significance of correlation were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed a moderate positive and significant relationship between the integration of projectors and students’ learning outcomes. There was a low positive and non-significant relationship between the integration of interactive whiteboards and students’ learning outcomes. Additionally, there was a high positive and significant relationship between the integration of computers and students’ learning outcomes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should provide adequate projectors and computers in public secondary schools in Anambra State, and teachers should be encouraged to utilize them effectively during instruction to enhance visibility of texts and images, thereby improving teaching and learning. This study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between the integration of projectors, computers, and students’ learning outcomes.
Technology, Integration Students Learning Outcomes
OHAMOBI, IFUNANYA N. (Ph.D); ONU, IFEANYICHUKWU DENNIS (Ph.D); ONYEKAZI, PEARL IFEOMA (Ph.D)
EXPLORING THE PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY AMONG INMATES IN CORRECTIONAL CENTRES IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH REGION OF NIGERIA
Crime is inevitable in human society. However, when it involves the female gender, it is often perceived as an abnormal phenomenon. Female criminality is a global issue that has persisted since time immemorial. This paper explores the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of female criminality among inmates in correctional centres in the South-South region of Nigeria. The Feminist Theory and Social Disorganization Theory formed the theoretical framework for the study. The study adopted a mixed methods research design, involving the use of questionnaires for quantitative data collection and in-depth interviews for qualitative data collection. A sample size of 208 female inmates was selected for the questionnaire administration, while 12 participants were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 27). The data were presented using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and charts. The qualitative data were transcribed, coded into themes and sub-themes, and analyzed using illustrative quotes. The findings revealed that although women constitute a relatively smaller proportion of offenders compared to men, their involvement in criminal activities has become increasingly visible, diversified, and structurally embedded. It was also found that stigmatization of former inmates has long-term structural implications, including limited employment opportunities, weakened family support systems, and restricted access to community-based assistance. The study recommends the development of gender-responsive correctional policies that address the unique socio-psychological and rehabilitative needs of female inmates, including counselling, trauma support, and family reintegration services.
Crime, Criminality, Female Criminality, Inmates and Recidivism
Martha Chinenye Nwadike-Fasugba; Peter Chukwuma Ezeah; Clement Emeka Ikezue
THE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN CAMPAIGN FINANCING IN NIGERIA, 1999-2023
This paper investigated the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in combating corruption in campaign financing in Nigeria from 1999 to 2023. Corruption in campaign financing poses a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral process, undermining democracy and fostering a culture of electoral malpractice. The study identified critical issues, including inadequate regulatory frameworks, a lack of transparency in campaign funding, and the pervasive influence of money in politics. The following research questions guided the study: What measures has INEC implemented to regulate campaign financing in Nigeria from 1999 to 2023? How effective have these measures been in reducing corruption in campaign financing? What challenges has INEC faced in enforcing campaign financing regulations? The objectives of the study were to analyse INEC’s regulatory framework for campaign financing, assess the effectiveness of its enforcement mechanisms, and identify barriers to effective implementation. The study was anchored on concepts of democratic governance and political accountability, with particular emphasis on the Principal–Agent Theory. Findings revealed that, although INEC has made progress through initiatives such as amendments to the Electoral Act and enhanced monitoring of campaign finances, significant challenges remain. These include inadequate funding, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the persistent influence of political actors, which hinder the effective implementation of campaign finance regulations. In conclusion, INEC’s role in combating corruption in campaign financing is crucial for promoting free and fair elections in Nigeria. To enhance its effectiveness, the study recommends strengthening legal provisions on campaign financing, improving transparency and disclosure requirements, and fostering collaboration with civil society organisations to monitor campaign financing activities.
INEC, corruption, campaign financing, Nigeria, electoral integrity
OLAJIDE OLUFUNSHO AYOBOLU, PhD; PROF. SEGUN JOSHUA
THE INFLUENCE OF LANGUAGE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Language plays a very important role in shaping mental health perceptions, emotions, and cognitive processes. This multidisciplinary review synthesizes evidence from psychology, linguistics, and sociology to examine the complex relationship between language and mental wellness. A systematic search of major databases yielded many studies that met inclusion criteria. Results highlight language’s impact on mental health through stigma, emotional regulation, social support, and cognitive biases. Theoretical frameworks, including social constructionism, cognitive linguistics, and discourse analysis, provide nuanced insights. Implications for practice include language-aware therapy, mental health literacy and supportive communication. Limitations and further research directive are also discussed.
Language, mental health, wellness, social constructionism, cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis
MULTICULTURALISM IN NIGERIA AND THE PROSPECTS OF TRUE DEMOCRACY MODELS
The plethora of problems confronting Nigeria as a multicultural nation often compels a reconsideration of homogenization over multiculturalism. Thus the aim of this paper is to address the problems that bedevil governance in a multicultural nation like Nigeria, hence recommending democratic solutions. This research applies analytic tool of investigation to examine Nigeria’s multicultural problems in their atomic form. This research studies the rich benefits that multiculturalism offers a nation from survival of culture and growth through friction to the color and the richness it adds. This research studies some fundamental challenges of multiculturalism to which all other problems are merely outgrowths such as; conflicts due to fundamentalism and chauvinism; cultural fixity discouraging interaction with other cultures and its peoples; extermination of minority and individual rights in a context that emphasizes group rights. This research recognizes Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo as the major tribes among many other minor tribes, the use of English as the lingua franca and the NYSC initiative towards unity amidst multiculturalism. However, the work calls for a proper enforcement of these initiatives. Minding the weight of problems rocking the nation as a result of her multiculturalism, this research proposes democratic solution anchoring on true federalism; power-sharing among the regions; a return to regional autonomy against the presidential system currently in practice; a consensus democracy which grants citizens not only voting rights but right to referendum; and enforcement of the rule of law. The work also highlights the need to initiate attitudinal changes through education. When these situations are well addressed then Nigeria’s multiculturalism can best be described as unity in diversity
Nigeria, multicultural, democracy, solutions, unity, and diversity
NIGERIA – CHINA TRADE RELATIONS: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
Nigeria–China trade relations have expanded significantly since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, making China one of Nigeria’s most important trading partners. This paper examines the major problems and prospects of Nigeria–China trade relations between 1999 and 2023. It argues that although bilateral trade has grown rapidly, the relationship is constrained by structural challenges such as language barriers, insecurity, corruption, weak institutions, and a lack of strategic policy direction. These factors increase transaction costs, reduce technology transfer, create project delays, and weaken Nigeria’s bargaining position in economic agreements. Despite these constraints, the relationship presents significant opportunities in infrastructure development, industrialization, agriculture, technology transfer, and foreign direct investment. The paper concludes that the future of Nigeria–China trade relations depends largely on Nigeria’s ability to strengthen its institutions, develop coherent trade and industrial policies, and negotiate more strategically in order to achieve a more balanced and mutually beneficial partnership.
Trade, Relations, Nigeria, China, Problems, Prospects
Prof. Nwachukwu J. Obiakor; Dr. Daniel Chukwuma Nzereogu; Nwodo Chinasa Pepertual
SOCIO-ECONOMIC COSTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AFRICA: EXPERIENCE FROM NIGERIA
Human trafficking is a global crisis that cuts across borders, cultures, and economic systems, undermining human rights and economic stability. The United Nations estimates that millions of people are trafficked annually for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and organ trade, making it one of the most lucrative forms of organized crime worldwide. While international frameworks, such as the Palermo Protocol, and national legislation have sought to combat trafficking, its persistence indicates deeper systemic failures. In Africa, poverty, conflict, and weak governance encourage and further exacerbate human trafficking, with countries like Libya serving as key transit hubs for traffickers exploiting migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe. Nigeria, one of Africa’s most affected nations, is both a source and destination country for trafficking. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reports that thousands of Nigerians, especially women and children, fall victim to trafficking networks that promise them economic opportunities abroad but ultimately subject them to exploitation. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8.7 specifically addresses the need to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking; however, progress remains slow. Although existing literature on human trafficking often focuses on its legal and social dimensions, insufficient attention is paid to its economic costs. The economic burden includes the loss of human capital, decreased productivity, and increased public spending on victim rehabilitation and law enforcement. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining both the human and economic toll of human trafficking, shedding light on its implications for sustainable development. Beyond the human suffering involved, human trafficking disrupts national economies by fostering illicit financial flows, reducing workforce productivity, and straining public resources allocated to social services. Ultimately, the study underscores the urgent need for stronger policies, international cooperation, and economic empowerment strategies to mitigate the devastating effects of human trafficking. Addressing both the human and financial costs of trafficking is essential for fostering inclusive economic growth and upholding human dignity.
Idowu Johnson, Ph.D; Gift Baridakara Toesae; Kazeem Omotola Seriki
THE FADING ROOTS OF TRADITION: HERBAL HEALING AND DIVINATION IN INDIGENOUS RELIGION AMIDST COLONIAL AND CHRISTIAN IMPACT
This paper explores the spiritual significance of herbal healing and divination in Indigenous Igbo religion, and the impact of Colonialization and Christianization on these practices. Through a critical analysis of historical and contemporary sources, including colonial records, missionary accounts, and Igbo oral traditions, we reveal the ways in which Colonialization and Christianization have eroded the spiritual significance of herbal healing and divination, threatening Igbo cultural identity. The study highlights the profound connection between spiritual practices, cultural identity, and the natural world in Igbo culture. Herbal healing and divination are deeply rooted in the use of sacred symbols and rituals, demonstrating a holistic understanding of health and wellness. However, the imposition of Western religious beliefs and practices has led to a disconnection from traditional spiritual practices and cultural heritage. Despite this, Igbo communities have resisted and preserved their cultural heritage through various means, including the continued practice of herbal healing and divination in secret. This paper calls for a renewed appreciation and respect for Indigenous religious traditions and highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage. By examining the historical context of Colonialization and Christianization, we can better understand the values and quality of Igbo culture and the significance of preserving indigenous knowledge and practices.
Mazi Orah Takuso M. (PhD., Unizik); Rev. Fr Dr. Raymond Arazu CSSp
LINKAGES BETWEEN CIVIL STRIFE, INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND MILITARY PUTSCH IN SAHEL AFRICA
The indirect and systemic influence of former colonial powers, along with the enduring effects of European imperialism in Africa, has contributed to intra-state conflicts, political instability, and civil strife in several parts of the continent, particularly within the Sahel and other African sub-regions. These dynamics have pushed many national economies to the brink of collapse, resulting in severe humanitarian crises. This situation has also contributed to the resurgence of military coups. Over the past three years, the Sahel region has witnessed a wave of coups détat across several countries, stretching from Guinea on the Atlantic coast to Sudan on the Red Sea. Successful military coups have occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Gabon, while constitutional coups have been reported in Tunisia, Chad, and Sudan. During roughly the same period, coup attempts were thwarted in The Gambia, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, and the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. For decades, countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte dIvoire, and Guinea-Bissau have been affected by conflict, civil strife, and economic decline. Although violent conflicts have generally declined in the West African sub-region, recent military coups in the Sahel—particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—as well as insurgency, banditry, and rising tensions in Nigeria signal the potential re-emergence of internal and regional conflicts. These developments are driven by multiple factors, including poverty, human rights violations, poor governance and corruption, ethnic marginalization, the proliferation of small arms, and, significantly, the lingering influence of European imperialism. These challenges have persisted over time. This paper argues that a poor understanding of these underlying causes will continue to plunge African countries into deeper crises and economic instability. Primary sources, policy documents, and relevant secondary and tertiary materials were the main sources of data for this qualitative analysis.
Conflict, Africa, Political, Military, Coup d etat
THE LIMITS TO SEXUAL EQUALITY, SOCIAL PRACTICE AND NATION BUILDING
At this 21st century, it is the candid opinion of great section of humanity that the world has made a giant stride in its affirmative actions against various forms of discrimination on the basis of sex, gender and race. The crusade against sexual inequality, for example, has so advanced that to speak a different tongue is to be seen as not fully brought into the train of modern civilization or at best not enlightened. Indeed, this consciousness has done a great deal in correcting inadequate socialization and obvious marginalization. But if we are also fair enough, we would notice that a lot of things have gone the wrong way in terms of social practice and nation building because some issues have not been properly addressed. Though some gaps have closed up in many ways, especially in terms of rights, equal treatment and insertion into the mainstream socio-political life, women have not felt their natural ease and families have suffered the worst blows ever leaving nations so devastated. All these issues arise because we have misunderstood the respects in which men and women are said to be equal and what social roles nature in all its wisdom has endowed various sexes. This article is therefore set to appraise the milestones the present age has arrived in correcting some imbalances in the social practice of mankind, and then points out the right perspective of sexual equality and roles which would contribute meaningfully to better humanity and nation building.
Sexuality, Equality, nation building, gender, race, women
FORENSIC SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION IN NIGERIA: PROSPECTS, CHALLENGES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Forensic speaker identification has emerged as a crucial component of forensic phonetics, providing scientific methods for identifying individuals through voice evidence in criminal investigations. In contemporary criminal investigations, voice recordings obtained through telephone conversations, surveillance devices, and digital communication platforms have become increasingly common forms of evidence. In many jurisdictions around the world, forensic phonetic analysis is used to authenticate recordings, identify speakers, and evaluate the evidential value of speech data in legal proceedings. In Nigeria, particularly in the South-Eastern region, the application of forensic phonetics remains relatively underdeveloped despite its potential to enhance criminal investigations and judicial processes. This paper examines the concept of forensic speaker identification, its theoretical foundations, and its relevance within the Nigerian criminal justice system. Drawing on existing literature and empirical observations from studies on forensic phonetics in Nigeria, the paper explores the role of acoustic and auditory analysis in identifying speakers and evaluating voice recordings used as legal evidence. The findings reveal that although awareness of forensic phonetics is gradually increasing among stakeholders, its practical application remains limited due to infrastructural deficiencies, lack of trained experts, limited institutional support, and legal uncertainties surrounding the admissibility of voice evidence. The paper concludes that the integration of forensic speaker identification into Nigeria’s investigative and judicial processes could significantly improve the reliability of voice-based evidence, strengthen investigative accuracy, and reduce wrongful convictions.
forensic phonetics, speaker identification, voice evidence, criminal investigation, Nigeria
Olympian Dumebi Adigwe & Linda Chinelo Nkamigbo
Historical Drivers of Insecurity in Nigeria and Their Relevance to Contemporary Security Challenges
Nigeria’s persistent insecurity is rooted in historical processes that continue to shape contemporary security challenges. Despite its demographic significance, cultural diversity, and abundant natural resources, the country has experienced recurring cycles of violence, manifested in terrorism, banditry, inter-communal clashes, and militancy. This paper examines the historical drivers of insecurity in Nigeria and analyzes their relevance to present-day security dynamics.Drawing on historical and political analysis, the study traces the origins of insecurity to colonial governance structures, post-independence nation-building failures, entrenched ethnic and religious divisions, socio-economic inequalities, and weak governance characterized by corruption and institutional fragility. It argues that British colonial policies of indirect rule and ethnic differentiation laid the foundation for enduring political and social tensions, which were further exacerbated by military rule, economic marginalization, and governance deficits after independence. The paper also engages counterarguments that emphasize external influences or contemporary religious extremism, demonstrating that these factors are deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s historical political economy. By situating current security threats within their historical context, the study highlights the importance of historically informed, inclusive, and development-oriented approaches to addressing insecurity in Nigeria. The paper concludes that sustainable peace requires not only reactive security measures but also structural reforms that address the root causes of conflict embedded in Nigeria’s historical trajectory.
Nigeria; Insecurity; Colonial Legacy; Ethnic Conflict; Religious Violence; Governance Failure; Economic Inequality; Boko Haram; Human Security; Conflict Studies
Dr. Francis Okechukwu Ndubuisi & Dr. PhilipMary Ayika
MIGRATION AND CRISIS: A REVIEW OF AMMA DARKO'S BEYOND THE HORIZON
Migration is a complex phenomenon that transcends mere geographical movement, profoundly affecting the social, psychological, and economic lives of individuals. In many instances, it induces crises that disrupt identity, relationships, and personal stability. This study examines the interplay between migration and individual crisis in literature, with a specific focus on Beyond the Horizon by Amma Darko. It investigates how migration exposes women to vulnerability and marginalisation, as well as its profound psychological and social implications. Against this backdrop, the study employs objectification theory to critically analyse the experiences of female characters in the selected novel, highlighting how patriarchal structures intersect with migration to shape their crises. The findings reveal that migration, while often represented as a pathway to freedom and opportunity, simultaneously exposes women to systemic oppression, identity struggles, and social alienation. By examining these literary portrayals, the study underscores the need to recognise the gendered dimensions of migration and its far-reaching consequences on individual lives. It concludes that migration and its accompanying crises mark significant transformations in women’s economic conditions, social positions, and sense of self-worth.
migration, crisis, objectification, sexual-objectification, body surveillance
Luke Ndudi Okolo; Onyedikachi Rachael Nwafor
THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: A STUDY OF THE ENDSARS MOVEMENT OF 2020 IN AWKA URBAN
The study examined the effects of social media on social movements, focusing on the EndSARS movement in Awka urban. The motivation for the study was the widespread youth protests during that period and the role social media played in spreading and sustaining the movement. The study adopted a mixed-method research design, utilizing questionnaires and in-depth interviews. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 204 respondents. Data were analyzed using percentages and frequency tables, while the chi-square (χ²) statistical test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that the factors that led to the EndSARS movement included police brutality (52.6%), human rights violations (16.3%), police extortion (12.8%), youth unemployment (10.7%), and bad governance (7.7%). The study also found that social media facilitated the success of the movement by creating massive awareness about police brutality (35.2%), providing youths with the opportunity to freely express themselves (18.4%), providing a platform for cash donations that sustained the movement (14.3%), giving a voice to the voiceless (14.3%), and through the influence of Twitter (10.7%). Finally, the study recommended that social media influencers should be sincere with their followers, participants in social movements should avoid spreading fake news, the government should stop crackdowns on activists and provide security for protesters, and the police should stop harassing youths on the streets.
Social media, social movements, protest, EndSARS, youths, police brutality
Chikwendu, Stephen Chilaka & Maduagwuna, Raymond Emeka
THE POLITICS OF CLASS: EXPLORING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN BEHOLD THE DREAMERS BY IMBOLO MBUE
Imbolo Mbue's Behold the Dreamers, published in 2016, uses the story of a Cameroonian immigrant family in New York City to examine how class, race, and immigration status interact to shape economic outcomes in America. Set against the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers, the novel follows Jende and Neni Jonga as they pursue stability and opportunity while working for Clark and Cindy Edwards, a wealthy family whose position exposes the distance between American promise and American structure. This article argues that Mbue constructs class not as a personal condition but as a structural one, produced and maintained by economic systems, racial hierarchies, and immigration law. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's theory of capital, Thomas Piketty's analysis of wealth concentration, Kimberlé Crenshaw's framework of inter-sectionality, and empirical research on racial wealth gaps and immigrant economic mobility, this piece reads the novel as a precise literary account of how inequality operates at the interpersonal level. The analysis moves through five areas: class structure and economic hierarchy in the novel, the ideology of the American Dream and its limits, the mechanisms and boundaries of social mobility, and the intersection of race and immigration with class disadvantage. Each section grounds its reading in both textual evidence from the novel and scholarship from sociology, economics, and critical theory. The article finds that Mbue's novel resists sentimentality and ideology equally. It does not present poverty as ennobling or wealth as villainous. It presents both as positions within a system that rewards accumulation and penalizes vulnerability. The Jongas' eventual return to Cameroon is read not as defeat but as a rational response to structural reality. Behold the Dreamers contributes to African diaspora literature and American social fiction by making inequality visible through specific, human, and verifiable terms.
Immigration, Intersectionality, Inequality, Diaspora
Ijeoma Chinelo Ehimen & Dr. Adaobi Ihueze
MILITARY COUPS AND THE CRISIS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA: ASSESSING ECOWAS’ INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS (2010 - 2024)
Since 2010, West Africa has experienced a resurgence of military coups, which has significantly disrupted governance and regional cooperation. This development raises questions about the effectiveness of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in upholding its democratic principles and its objective of maintaining regional integration. Although ECOWAS has established a normative framework that condemns unconstitutional changes of government, the recurring coups in countries such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger reveal a significant gap between its declared commitments and its capacity for effective enforcement. This study examines ECOWAS’s responses to coups between 2010 and 2024 and evaluates the implications for regional cohesion. Employing a qualitative comparative case study approach, the research analyses official ECOWAS communiqués, policy instruments, and existing scholarly literature. The findings indicate that while ECOWAS has maintained its normative commitments, the implementation of these principles has been inconsistent. This inconsistency has weakened the organization’s deterrence capacity and gradually eroded its legitimacy among member states and regional populations. The study contributes to broader scholarly discussions on regional governance, democratic consolidation, and the stability of postcolonial states. It demonstrates that repeated military interventions have gradually transformed ECOWAS from an organization primarily focused on regional integration into one increasingly preoccupied with crisis management. These transformations have important implications for the future of regional cooperation and peace in West Africa.
BOKO HARAM, TERRORISM, AND THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA (1999–2015)
This study examines the emergence of Boko Haram as a terrorist movement and its impact on the Christian Church and broader Nigerian society between 1999 and 2015. It argues that Boko Haram’s evolution from a local religious sect into a full-scale insurgency was facilitated by structural weaknesses such as poverty, corruption, political exclusion, and the instrumentalization of religion. Drawing on documentary sources and existing scholarly literature, the paper analyses the social, economic, political, and religious consequences of terrorism on Christian communities in northern Nigeria. The study concludes that although Boko Haram has inflicted significant damage on religious institutions and national cohesion, the crisis is not insurmountable if addressed through coordinated security reforms, effective governance, and sustained interreligious engagement.
Professor Ifeyinwa Henrietta EMEJULU; Uchenna Kelechi IWUOZO
A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF SWEARING AND CODE CHOICE IN ANAMBRA STATE MOTOR PARKS
Swearing in multilingual urban transit hubs constitutes a layered sociolinguistic phenomenon that bridges affect, identity, language choice, and social stratification. This study explores the use of bad language in major motor parks in Anambra State, Nigeria, focusing on the interplay of Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin, and English. Data were collected from Eke Awka, Aroma, and Ukwu-Oji motor parks. Drawing on the framework of variationist sociolinguistics (Labov, 1972), the article identifies forms of bad language and analyzes how gender, age, and socioeconomic status influence their usage. The data were obtained through observation and elicitation methods. The findings reveal that motor parks function as heteroglossic arenas where code-switching, audience design, and social indexing govern profanity. Men, younger individuals, and lower-income participants tend to use more frequent and overt swearing, while older and higher-status individuals moderate or euphemize their expressions. The study underscores the need to view profanity not merely as deviance but as a communicative resource and offers implications for urban language planning and public civility campaigns.
sociolinguistic, swear words, Code Choice, Anambra State, motor parks
Ogechukwu Chinyere Mbakwe & Martha Chidimma Egenti
ABA WOMEN’S RIOT OF 1929: A REVOLUTION THAT RESHAPED COLONIAL GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
This study investigates the Aba women's riot of 1929, a revolutionary that reshaped colonial governance in Nigeria. The Women’s riot is acknowledged as one of the most pivotal anti-colonial uprisings within Nigeria's historical context, marking a vital turning point in the evolution of indigenous resistance and the enhancement of women's political power. The paper delves into the historical circumstances that precipitated the uprising and examines the reasons for classifying the Aba Women's Riot as a revolution, as well as its effects on the reconfiguration of colonial governance in Nigeria. Employing a historical methodology, this research conducts a qualitative analysis of both primary and secondary sources. The findings indicate that the riot transcended mere protest, functioning instead as a coordinated socio-political upheaval that forced the colonial administration to reconsider its governance frameworks, taxation systems, and gender dynamics. The paper concludes by asserting that the Aba Women’s Riot served as a significant catalyst that exposed the deficiencies of colonial policies and acted as a precursor to subsequent nationalist movements in Nigeria.
Dr. Chidiebere Onuoha & Chichem Ifeoma Duru
CODE-SWITCHING IN SELECTED SONGS BY WIZKID: A STUDY OF LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION IN NIGERIAN HIP HOP
Nigerian musicians often employ code-switching, blending English with other major Nigerian languages such as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Nigerian Pidgin, with particular emphasis on Yoruba and Pidgin. This study aims to critically analyze selected albums by Wizkid within the Nigerian music industry. The data for this research focus on one artist, Wizkid. The objectives of the study are to examine the nature of code-switching, investigate its underlying causes, analyze its artistic impact, and explore the consequences of this practice for musical expression. It is observed that Nigerian artists utilize code-switching in their music to connect with their intended audiences.
Akụkọ Ifo Dịka Ugegbe E Ji Ahụta Ndụ Ndị Igbo
Ndị Igbo bi na mpaghara ọwụwa anyanwụ Naịjiria nwere agụmagụ ha nke a na-agụpụta n’ọnụ tupu ọbịbia ndị ọcha. Otu n’ime agụmagụ ọnụ ndị ahụ bụ akụkọ ifo. Ifo bụ akụkọ a rọrọ arọ nke ndị Igbo ji anọrị oge ma na-akpakwa onwe ha obiọma. Nchọpụta na-egosị na ọtụtụ ndị mmadụ na-eche na o nweghizị uru akụkọ ifo bara; karịsịa n’oge ugbu a. Ebumnobi ọrụ nchọcha a bụ inyocha ifo iji mata usoro omenala na usoro ebimndụ ndị Igbo ndị gbara elu n’ifo Igbo na igosịpụta etu ifo si arụ ọrụ dịka enyo e ji ahụta ndụ ndị Igbo. Omenchọcha a nwetere njiede o jiri mee nchọcha a site n’ịgbado ụkwụ n’akụkọ ifo ndị o gerela oge ọ na-etolite, akụkọ ifo ndị o nwetere site n’akwụkwọ nchịkọta akụkọ ifo nakwa ihe ndị ọ maara dịka onye Igbo toro n’ala Igbo. Nchọpụta gosịrị na e wepụ iji akụkọ ifo nọrịa oge ma kpakwaa ndị mmadụ obiọma, na akụkọ ifo bụ otu ụzọ gbara ọkpụrụkpụ ndị Igbo si ezipụta omenala, nkwenye na usoro obibi ndụ ha. Atụtụ e ji wee mee ọrụ nyochaa bụ atụtụ keenyouche nke gbadoro ụkwụ na mmekọrịta mmadụ na ibe ya dịka o si metụta agụmagụ. Ọrụ nchọcha a nyere ntuziaka ka onye ọbụla gbasie mbọ ike ịhụ na agụmagụ ọdịnala akụkọifo anwụghị; kama ka achọpụta ụzọ ndị ga-enyeaka iji hụ na o selitere isi nke ọma n’oge ugbu a.
Akụkọ ifo, ndị Igbo, mbamuru, omenala, ugegbe
LABOUR MARKET PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTH-EAST OF NIGERIA
This study examined labour market participation and conditions of employment in South-East Nigeria, focusing on economically active persons, employees, employers, and labour officials across major economic hubs including Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi, and Enugu. The objectives were to assess the level and patterns of labour market participation, evaluate prevailing conditions of employment, and determine the relationship between labour market participation and employment conditions in the region. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 220 respondents using a closed-ended structured questionnaire measured on a four-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree). Mean scores and standard deviations were used to analyse responses, while hypotheses were tested using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The findings indicated a relatively high level of labour market participation, with respondents reporting active engagement in economic activities (mean = 2.90, SD = 0.96) and a predominance of informal employment (mean = 2.98, SD = 0.97). However, conditions of employment were largely unfavourable, as reflected in low job security (mean = 2.32, SD = 1.07), inadequate income (mean = 2.41, SD = 1.05), and weak enforcement of labour laws (mean = 2.31, SD = 1.08). The MANCOVA results revealed statistically significant differences in employment conditions across levels of labour market participation (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.664, F = 8.941, p < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that although labour market participation in South-East Nigeria is high, it is largely necessity-driven and constrained by poor employment quality. The study recommends strengthening regulatory enforcement, improving wages and employment benefits, promoting skills development, and implementing policies that ensure not only access to employment but also improved working conditions in the region.
Employment Conditions, Human Capital Development, Informal work, Labour Market Participation, Secure Employment