NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF AFRICAN STUDIES (NJAS)
The Nigerian Journal of African Studies (ISSN: 2734-3146) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of scholarly research on the diverse cultures, histories, languages, philosophies, and socio-political systems of Africa, with a particular emphasis on Nigeria and West Africa. NJAS provides a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars in the humanities and social sciences, including but not limited to African history, literature, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, political science, gender studies, and cultural studies. The journal is committed to advancing critical thought on African experiences, indigenous knowledge systems, and contemporary issues affecting the continent, while fostering intellectual exchange that bridges local and global perspectives. Through rigorous academic standards and inclusive scholarship, NJAS seeks to contribute meaningfully to the evolving discourse on African identity, heritage, and development. NJAS is a publication of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
IFRS ADOPTION AND THE IMPLICATION FOR ACCOUNTING AND TAXATION IN NIGERIA: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The study examined the implications of the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for accounting and taxation in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the need for transparency, improved financial reporting, and enhanced accountability. The paper explored the conceptual foundations and practical implications of IFRS adoption for accounting and taxation in the Nigerian context, drawing on Agency Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Institutional Theory. From an accounting perspective, IFRS adoption was driven by the need to reduce information asymmetry between managers and investors, in line with Agency Theory. IFRS enhances the relevance, verifiability, and faithful representation of financial disclosures. While the adoption of IFRS in Nigeria has improved the credibility of financial reporting and strengthened stakeholder accountability, it has also presented significant taxation challenges, including the misalignment between Nigerian tax laws and IFRS principles, as well as the absence of comprehensive tax guidelines that adequately address IFRS-based reporting. In light of these findings, the study recommends that the government should provide continuous training for accounting professionals on IFRS principles and implementation. Furthermore, the government should review and reform existing tax laws to ensure alignment with IFRS principles and facilitate effective implementation.
IFRS Adoption, Implications, Accounting, Taxation, Conceptual Framework, Nigeria
ESUIKE BENJAMIN UWEHVWIYOVWE; INIFADHE UYOYOH LINUS
ENGAGING ECOWAS IN MANAGING THE CONFLICT IN THE NIGER DELTA: A PERCEPTION STUDY
The Niger-Delta conflict has been one that has shown signs of protractions, with great economic and environmental costs to both the federal government and the local communities alike. Likewise, the conflict increasingly seems to be falling out of the effective management and control of the state despite the availability of capable and mandated international bodies that are established to effectively intervene in such a conflict. As such, this paper is a perception study that examines the option of an ECOWAS intervention in the Niger-Delta in line with the institution’s core principle of maintaining and initiating peaceful resolution to conflict, and also how a supranational intervention in the conflict will be received by the Niger-Delta people. The study used a quantitative research approach, a sample size of 482 respondents comprising of 259 males and 223 females from across various fields of life, but all residing in the Niger-Delta region. A non-experimental research design was used with the aid of a cluster random sampling technique in administering the questionnaires to the respondents and also for data collection. The findings of the study strongly indicates that public opinion in the Niger-Delta community agrees with the notion that Nigeria is not taking advantage of ECOWAS as a conflict management and resolution mechanism in meeting its domestic security challenges as found in the Niger-Delta, despite being a host to this prestigious intergovernmental organisation. Key recommendations includes the conceptualization of Nigeria’s security needs before ECOWAS Heads of States Summit, and also the effective exploitation of ECOWAS statutory committees to advance Nigeria’s security agenda particularly in the Niger Delta.
Perception, Niger-Delta, ECOWAS, Role, Government, Conflict
Madu, E. Tochukwu; Professor Okafor, Frank-Collins; Onwuchekwe, I, Stanley
PERFORMING POVERTY: ENTERTAINING FOR ALMS AND EMERGING VOICES IN STREET PERFORMANCE IN AWKA
This study examines street begging as a form of performance and investigates how visually impaired street beggars in Awka transform poverty into performative acts through entertainment-oriented strategies aimed at attracting alms. Anchored in Richard Schechner's Performance Theory, the study adopts a qualitative research design utilizing participant observation and content analysis of four selected visually impaired mobile beggars operating in public spaces across Awka. The findings reveal that the beggars employ organized artistic and communicative techniques such as musical performances, praise singing, storytelling, instrumental display, vocal modulation, bodily expression, and strategic spatial positioning to engage passersby and sustain audience interaction. These performative practices function not only as survival strategies but also as forms of informal street theatre that communicate socio-economic realities, vulnerability, and resilience within urban spaces. The study further reveals that the interaction between beggars and passersby reflects core theatrical elements, including performers, audiences, performance spaces, and symbolic communication. It argues that entertaining for alms constitutes an emerging mode of street performance that challenges conventional notions of theatre as being restricted to formal stages and professionally trained performers. The study concludes that street beggars represent marginalized yet significant voices within contemporary Nigerian street performance culture. The study therefore recommends broader scholarly engagement with alternative, informal, and everyday performance traditions in Nigeria as part of efforts to expand the boundaries of theatre and performance studies.
Performing Poverty, Entertaining for Alms, Emerging Voices, Street Performance, Survival Performance, Beggars’ Artistry, Performance Studies, Nigerian Theatre
Kosy Añulika Okafor (PhD); Geraldine Ebele Ojukwu (PhD)
Issues in French Language Teaching in Nigeria: The Case of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
This paper compares the issues faced in French language teaching between Nwafor Orizu College of Education and Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria. Both institutions play a crucial role in imparting French language education to students, and this comparative analysis seeks to identify and examine the challenges they encounter in this process. The demand for French language instruction has increased, but the availability of proficient instructors remains limited, impacting the quality of language learning for students in both schools. The lack of appropriate instructional materials and resources hinders effective language teaching as both institutions struggle to access tailored textbooks, workbooks, and audiovisual aids, making it difficult to provide comprehensive language learning experiences that align with the needs of Nigerian students. The lack of necessary infrastructure and resources restricts the comprehensive incorporation of technology in language classrooms, limiting the potential benefits it can offer in enhancing language acquisition. However, despite these shared challenges, there may be some institution-specific issues unique to each university. Factors such as institutional policies, funding, and teaching methodologies could vary and contribute to discrepancies in the French language learning experience for students. This paper aims to provide valuable insights into the issues faced in French language teaching in Nigeria, specifically within Nwafor Orizu College of Education and Nnamdi Azikiwe University. By identifying these challenges, this paper will contribute to the development of targeted strategies and interventions that can be implemented to improve the quality of French language education in both institutions and, by extension, across the country. Ultimately, addressing these issues will lead to a more proficient and culturally enriched generation of French speakers in Nigeria. This paper employs a comparative research methodology to analyze the issues faced in French language teaching between Nwafor Orizu College of Education and Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria. Drawing upon a theoretical framework grounded in educational psychology and language acquisition theories, the study aims to identify and examine the challenges encountered in imparting French language education to students in these institutions. By utilizing qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, including interviews, surveys, and document analysis, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the quality of French language instruction. The theoretical framework guides the interpretation of findings, allowing for a deeper exploration of the underlying reasons behind the identified challenges. Through this research approach, the paper aims to contribute valuable insights into the issues faced in French language teaching in Nigeria, paving the way for targeted strategies and interventions to enhance the quality of language education in both institutions and foster a more proficient generation of French speakers in the country.
Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, French language, Nigeria, Education
Domitila Onyinye Ubajaka; Ozioma Siddharta Omedobi Anyawuike, PhD
LABOUR MIGRATION AND SLUM DEVELOPMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE: A POSTCOLONIAL URBAN ANALYSIS OF THE OKPOKO-ONITSHA LANDSCAPE
This paper examines the relationship between labour migration and slum development in Anambra State, Nigeria, with particular focus on Okpoko within the Onitsha urban corridor. Moving beyond descriptive accounts, the study situates the proliferation of slums within the theoretical frameworks of postcolonial urbanism and the social production of space. Employing qualitative research methods, including interviews, participant observation, and visual documentation, the study demonstrates that the growth of Okpoko is not merely a demographic consequence of rural–urban migration but a spatial expression of structural inequality, weak urban governance, and uneven development. Drawing on the theoretical insights of Henri Lefebvre and Manuel Castells, the paper argues that urban space in Onitsha is socially produced through power relations that marginalize migrant populations and constrain their access to urban resources. The findings reveal the dual character of migration as both a catalyst for economic opportunity and a driver of urban precarity. The study concludes by advocating inclusive urban planning policies that prioritize spatial justice, infrastructural development, and rural revitalization as essential strategies for addressing the underlying conditions that sustain slum formation.
Labour Migration, Slum Development, Postcolonial Urbanism, Okpoko, Onitsha, Spatial Inequality
Kosy Añulika Okafor, Ph.D.; Geraldine Ebele Ojukwu, Ph.D.
BALANCE OF STRUCTURE AND SPONTANEITY IN IMPOROVISATIONAL STAND-UP COMEDY AND SCRIPT COMEDY ACTING
Improvisational stand-up comedy is often perceived as entirely spontaneous; however, performers typically rely on pre-developed frameworks, rehearsed narratives, and strategic timing to guide their delivery. In contrast, scripted comedy acting is based on written texts, yet actors frequently incorporate spontaneous expressions, improvisation, and adaptive performance techniques to enhance authenticity and audience engagement. Therefore, this study aims to examine the balance between structure and spontaneity in improvisational stand-up comedy and scripted comedy acting, emphasising how both elements contribute to effective comedic performance. The study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on performance theory and practical examples to analyse how comedians and actors negotiate the interplay between planning and improvisation. The study argues that both forms of comedy exist on a continuum in which structure and spontaneity are interdependent rather than opposing forces. Findings reveal that successful comedic performance depends on the performer’s ability to integrate structured preparation with spontaneous creativity, resulting in improved timing, flexibility, and audience connection.
Acting, Improvisation, Scripted Comedy, Spontaneity, Stand-up Comedy, Structure
NATURE AND MAGNITUDE OF ARMED BANDITRY IN ZAMFARA STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY
This paper investigated the evolving nature and escalating magnitude of armed banditry in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The study argues that excessive kinetic interventions have failed to address the underlying political economy of the conflict. It adopted the Greed and Grievance Theory, developed by Paul Collier and Anke Hoeffler between 2000 and 2002, as its theoretical framework, while a mixed research design was employed as the methodology. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to respondents, while Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used for data collection. Qualitative data were content-analysed, while quantitative data were presented in charts and percentages. The analysis revealed that armed banditry manifested in the forms of cattle rustling (93.4%), night attacks (90.0%), land confiscation (85.5%), and the burning of farmlands (84.1%). It further revealed that incidents of armed banditry increased from 128 cases in 2018 to 1,031 cases in 2024, indicating an escalating magnitude. Additionally, about 71.7 per cent of respondents linked increasing food insecurity to the loss of farm produce, while 89.5 per cent agreed that hunger had become more widespread within their households. In view of these findings, the nature and magnitude of armed banditry reveal a significant escalation and sophistication in banditry operations since 2012 in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The study recommends that the Zamfara State Government should institute stiffer penalties for cattle rustling and kidnapping while implementing developmental programmes aimed at improving the living standards of the people. It further recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should strengthen relations with neighbouring countries such as Chad, Niger, and Benin to facilitate joint efforts against armed banditry for enhanced regional security, as well as procure advanced technological surveillance equipment, including drones, to improve border surveillance and management.
Armed banditry, Burning of farmlands, Food Security, Kidnapping for ransom, Zamfara State
Dr. Raymond Chibueze Nwankwo; Professor N. D. Danjibo; Professor Ruth O. Adio-Moses
MMETỤTA ỌRỊA ỌKPỌNỤBỤRỤ N’ASỤSỤ EPUM NKE GBADORO ỤKWỤ N’INYOCHA ONYE ỌRỊA NTỌTỌ OKWU NA NNEWI
Isi nchọcha a bụ mmetụta ọrịa ọkpọnụbụrụ n’asụsụ epum, nke gbadoro ụkwụ n’inyocha ndị ọrịa ntọtọ okwu nọ na Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. Ndị ọrịa ntọtọ okwu e jiri mee nchọcha a bụ ndị nọ n’ụlọ ọgwụ ahụ dị na Nnewi. Nchọcha a lebara anya n’ịchọpụta ọtụtụ ụdị nsogbu dị iche iche ndị nwere mmerụ n’akụkụ ụbụrụ a na-akpọ Broca na Wernicke na-enwe n’ịkpọpụta okwu Igbo n’olu Nnewi, iji gosipụta mmetụta nrụjọ ụbụrụ ha nwere n’asụsụ. Ọchọcha a chọpụtara ụdị ntọtọ okwu dị iche iche, kọwakwaa ụdị ntọtọ okwu e nwegasịrị, njirimara ha, na ụzọ dị iche iche e si amata onye nwere ọrịa ọkpọnụbụrụ. E lebakwara anya n’usoro ndokọ okwu na nghọta okwu dị n’okwu ndị ọrịa ntọtọ okwu, tinyere ụzọ dị iche iche e nwere ike isi nyere ha aka. Ọchọcha a gbara ndị ọrịa ntọtọ okwu anọ ajụjụ ọnụ — mmadụ abụọ nwere nsogbu Broca na mmadụ abụọ nwere nsogbu Wernicke — ma nyochaa azịza ha n’usoro ndokọ okwu na nghọta okwu. Ọchọcha a gbasoro usoro nkọwasị mee nchọcha ya. Nchọpụta ọchọcha gosiri na ọrịa metụtara akụkụ ụbụrụ Broca ma ọ bụ Wernicke na-eme ka onye ọrịa ghara ịkparịta ụka nke ọma. A chọpụtara na akụkụ Broca na-ahụ maka usoro ndokọ okwu, ebe akụkụ Wernicke na-ahụ maka nghọta okwu. Ọchọcha a gara n’ihu ịkọwapụta ụdị ọkpọnụbụrụ ndị ọzọ e nwegasịrị ma tụpụta atụmatụ ga enyere ndị ọrịa ntọtọ okwu aka, ọkachasị n’ihe gbasara ịsụ asụsụ epum.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
INDIGENOUS TEXTILE PRODUCTION: A STUDY OF WEAVING TRADITIONS IN ISEYIN
The purpose of the study was to examine weaving and textile design in Iseyin. Specifically, the study sought to examine modern trends in weaving as well as strategies for improving weaving in Iseyin. A descriptive ethnographic research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised three weaving locations, with a minimum of nine centres, each centre having between 10 and 15 apprentices and masters. The sample size for the study comprised 36 weavers selected through an accidental sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that the use of synthetic yarns, which are more colourfast; the merging of traditional Aso-Oke with other textile materials such as Ankara and lace; the cultivation and use of traditional cotton; and the use of Aso-Oke to create various products such as bags, shoes, and furniture, among others, are modern trends in weaving in Iseyin. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the National Directorate of Employment should prioritize the art of weaving by ensuring that the skills of weavers are fine-tuned through exposure to seminars and workshops. This is with a view to ensuring employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths through weaving.
Indigenous, Textile, Weaving, Traditions, Iseyin
Azuka Abigail Nzoiwu-Ogbogu PhD; Johnson Ezenwa Arua PhD; Omotoso Emmanuel, Adekola
ARMS PROLIFERATION AND THE SPREAD OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALWS) IN WEST AFRICA: A FRUSTRATION–AGGRESSION THEORY ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL INSECURITY DYNAMICS
The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) has emerged as a major driver of persistent insecurity across West Africa, where insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts continue to threaten regional stability. Despite numerous security interventions, the widespread availability of illicit weapons has intensified violence and undermined state authority, raising critical concerns about the underlying causes of this insecurity. This study therefore examines the relationship between SALWs proliferation and insecurity in West Africa, with the primary objective of explaining how structural conditions contribute to the escalation of armed violence. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, the study relies on secondary sources, including academic literature, policy reports, and institutional publications. The analysis is anchored on Frustration–Aggression Theory, which provides a framework for understanding how socio-economic and political frustrations arising from poverty, unemployment, inequality, weak governance, and marginalization translate into aggressive and violent behavior when access to weapons is readily available. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to bridging the gap between structural causes of violence and the instrumental role of SALWs in facilitating conflict. Findings reveal that the proliferation of SALWs not only sustains existing conflicts but also lowers the threshold for violence, making it easier for frustrated individuals and groups, particularly youths, to engage in armed aggression. The study concludes that insecurity in West Africa cannot be effectively addressed without simultaneously tackling both the structural roots of frustration and the unchecked spread of weapons. It therefore recommends improved governance, strengthened arms control mechanisms, and enhanced regional cooperation as essential strategies for achieving lasting peace and security.
proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons
REFLECTION OF WAR CASUALTIES AND ITS AFTERMATH IN SEFI ATTA’S EVERYTHING GOOD WILL COME
The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) stands as a somber elegy to the fracture of postcolonial nationhood, where the cadence of political discord dissolved into a dirge of human suffering. The aftermath lingered like an unresolved stanza in Nigeria’s national narrative. Beyond the immediate toll, the war etched enduring scars upon the collective psyche—intergenerational grief, fractured ethnic allegiances, and a muted silence around memory that shaped postwar reconciliation. The purpose of this study is to portray the casualties of war and the sorrowful experiences they had, as portrayed by Sefi Atta in the novel Everything Good Will Come.
Trauma, Postcolonial, Suffering, War, Scars, Nigeria
RE-EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTION OF BEING, HIERARCHY OF FORCES IN BANTU ONTOLOGY
The scholarly work of Placide Tempels on Bantu ontology has sparked enduring debate, particularly among African philosophers. The arguments and counterarguments center on questions of interpretation, Being, and the hierarchy of forces. This study undertakes a re-examination of the concept of Being within Bantu ontology, with particular focus on the hierarchical ordering of forces. It draws on the philosophical framework of Placide Tempels and challenges static interpretations of Bantu thought by foregrounding the dynamic, relational, and force-based characterization of Being. This study critically analyzes the hierarchical ordering of these forces, which proceeds from God (the Supreme Being), through ancestral spirits and living humans, to animals, plants, and inanimate objects, with each level possessing a distinct degree of vital influence. Revisiting this hierarchy reveals tensions between its descriptive cultural roots and its prescriptive use in justifying traditional authority or social stratification. It is the contention of this paper that the hierarchical structure is neither rigid nor purely ontological; rather, it is interwoven with relational ethics, ritual efficacy, and communal well-being. Furthermore, by interpreting Being as force, this re-examination challenges lingering colonial interpretations that depict Bantu ontology as primitive or irrational. In essence, this study proposes that the hierarchy of forces is best understood as an open, participatory field of becoming—where the task of human existence is not merely to contemplate static Being, but to intensify, channel, and preserve life-force through proper relational conduct.
Re-examination, Being, Hierarchy, forces, ontology
FAMILILYHOOD IN PLATO’S FEMINISM AND THE POLITICS OF FEMALE GENDER IDENTITY
The question of gender equality has been a perennial concern. Human beings possess different natural capacities in accordance with their dual nature as homo socius and homo politicus. While some argue that these differences imply inequality, others advocate equality, and still others advance an extreme egalitarian position that assumes all individuals are identical and should receive equal life chances. Using the philosophical methods of exposition and analysis, this study explores the contributions of Plato as a pioneer among those who argue for the abolition of the nuclear family as a means of enabling women to function equally with men in society. It also examines the perspectives of Hannah Arendt and Susan Moller Okin, among others, on the question of gender equality. The paper further argues that Plato’s proposal to abolish the nuclear family does not entail the complete elimination of family life, as is often assumed. Rather, it represents a transformation of the private family into a unified collective structure embodied in the state. Supporting this view, the paper draws on the argument of Véronique Mottier, who maintains that the nuclear family cannot be entirely abolished without undermining the very purpose for which it would be replaced, such as a state-run system akin to a well-regulated orphanage. While this study acknowledges that total egalitarianism is largely utopian, it concludes that a more viable approach to addressing gender inequality lies in emphasizing shared human attributes while also encouraging the development of the unique capacities of both men and women.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF HERDERS-FARMERS CONFLICT IN ANAMBRA STATE: A STUDY OF SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN AWKA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA
This study investigated the socio-economic impacts of herders–farmers conflict in Anambra State, with a focus on selected communities in Awka North LGA. The study objectives examined the prevailing nature of the herders–farmers conflict, its causes, consequences, and possible solutions for mitigating it. Four theories were reviewed, namely: Conflict Theory, Structural Functionalism Theory, Symbolic Interactionism Theory, and Social Disorganisation Theory. Conflict Theory and Structural Functionalism Theory were adopted as the theoretical framework. The study adopted a mixed methods research design for data collection and analysis. A sample size of 204 respondents was used. The quantitative data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, simple percentages, and charts. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software (Version 2.0). Two hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square (χ²) test statistic. The results indicate, among others, that the major causes of herders–farmers conflict include land encroachment, destruction of crops by cattle, killing of cattle, reprisal attacks, inadequate grazing reserves, and blockage of grazing routes. Also, the major consequences of herders–farmers conflict include destruction of farmlands, loss of lives and property, displacement of local farmers, food insecurity, and discouragement of investors. The study recommends proactive measures such as awareness creation on the need for peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers in Awka North LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Conflict, Farmers, Food production, Herders, Pastoralists
Umeadi, Mary Ukamaka; Okeke, Obinna Chukwudalu (PhD)
INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY STRATEGIES AS CORRELATES OF STUDENTS’ LEARNING OUTCOME IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OTUOCHA EDUCATION ZONE OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Students’ learning outcomes are germane to the transformation of individuals and serve as a major tool for national development. This study examined instructional delivery strategies 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 934 SSII students in 274 public secondary schools across the six education zones of Anambra State. A sample of 457 respondents was drawn using the simple random sampling technique. The instruments for data collection were researcher-structured questionnaires titled “Instructional Delivery Strategy Questionnaire (IDSQ)” and “Mathematics Achievement Test Questions (MATQ).” 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 was determined using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. The reliability of the instruments was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding an average coefficient of 0.81, which was considered adequate for the study. 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. Findings revealed a high positive and significant relationship between direct-instruction strategy and students’ learning outcomes. There was a moderate positive and significant relationship between project-based instructional delivery strategy and students’ learning outcomes. However, the relationship between personalized instructional delivery strategy and students’ learning outcomes was low, positive, and not statistically significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended that principals should encourage teachers to make greater use of direct-instruction and project-based instructional delivery strategies. This study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between instructional delivery strategies and students’ learning outcomes in public secondary schools in Anambra State.
Instructional Delivery, Students, learning
OBI, ZITA C. (Ph.D); OHAMOBI, IFUNANYA N. (Ph.D); ONU, IFEANYICHUKWU DENNIS (Ph.D); ONYEKAZI, PEARL IFEOMA (Ph.D)
CORPORATE DIVERSIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LISTED INSURANCE FIRMS IN NIGERIA
The study examined the effect of corporate diversification on the financial performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the effects of geographical diversification, business subsidiary diversification, and product diversification on return on assets. An ex-post facto research design was employed. The population consisted of fifteen listed insurance firms on the Nigerian Exchange Group, while nine firms were purposively selected based on data availability. Secondary data covering the period 2015–2024 were sourced from the annual reports of the selected firms. The hypotheses were tested using panel regression analysis with the Estimated Generalized Least Squares (EGLS) technique. The findings showed that geographical diversification has a positive and significant effect on return on assets (β = 0.027318, p = 0.0000); business subsidiary diversification has a positive and significant effect on return on assets (β = 0.028473, p = 0.0000); and product diversification has a positive and significant effect on return on assets (β = 0.002402, p = 0.0136).In conclusion, firms operating in the insurance industry are able to leverage the advantages of spreading their operations across different fronts, thereby reducing risk concentration and enhancing income stability. The study recommended that the management teams of listed insurance firms in Nigeria should strategically extend their operations into underserved and emerging regions across the country. By building a stronger presence in diverse geographical locations, firms can tap into new customer bases, reduce overdependence on highly competitive urban markets, and improve stability in revenue generation, thereby strengthening their overall financial performance.
Corporate Diversification, Financial Performance, Geographical Diversification, Business Subsidiary Diversification, Product Diversification
Eze, Maria Nwankwoeke PhD; Okoye, Ezinne Chimaram
A DEEP DIVE: AKWETE-IGBO WOVEN MOTIF DESIGN SYMBOLS
Akwete, an Igbo woven cloth, is one of the most distinctive textile traditions in Africa, widely recognized for its intricate motif systems. Far beyond mere decoration, the symbols embedded in Akwete fabrics express Igbo philosophy, belief systems, and historical memory. Produced by generations of women weavers, these motifs carry layered meanings, enabling weavers to communicate specific ideas, values, and narratives through their work. They depict human and animal behavior, historical events, geometric patterns, and botanical forms, all rendered in abstract yet purposeful compositions that convey complex cultural messages. This paper investigates the origins of these motifs, arguing that most possess traceable sources and definable histories. It systematically examines the symbols and naming practices employed by women weavers, both historically and in contemporary contexts, with particular attention to borrowed and adapted designs. Using participant observation and a historical lens, the study documents how external patterns have been incorporated into the Akwete weaving tradition, thereby enriching and expanding its visual vocabulary. In doing so, the paper identifies and analyzes three distinct categories of Akwete cloth, each defined by its decorative motifs and weaving techniques. Beyond questions of origin and typology, the study also establishes the cultural significance of these motifs and how they function within Igbo society, including the contexts in which they are used and the occasions they signify. The findings show that Akwete motifs are not static relics but dynamic design systems that continually absorb new influences and ideas. The paper concludes by suggesting that extending the application of these motifs beyond textiles into other design fields may serve as a viable strategy for ensuring their long-term sustainability and cultural relevance.
Symbols, Igbo Woven Symbols, Akwete Woven Fabric, Modern Transformation
HUMAN STERILIZATION: ETHICAL ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS
Human sterilization, as a permanent method of fertility regulation, occupies an important position at the intersection of medicine, ethics, law, and social policy. While widely recognized for its effectiveness in family planning, it continues to generate significant debate, particularly concerning autonomy, informed consent, justice, and human rights. This paper examines human sterilization by exploring its conceptual foundations, methods, motivations, and moral implications. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study draws on in-depth interviews with sixteen individuals who have undergone sterilization procedures. The findings indicate that decisions about sterilization are shaped by a complex interplay of medical necessity, socio-economic conditions, psychological factors, and cultural influences. The study also highlights persistent concerns, including coercion, inadequate counseling, and unequal access to reproductive healthcare. It argues that responsible sterilization practices must be grounded in respect for human dignity, strengthened informed consent processes, and sensitivity to socio-cultural contexts. The paper concludes by advocating for stronger regulatory frameworks and more patient-centered care models to guide sterilization practices in contemporary healthcare systems.
medicine, ethics, law, and social policy
Oguegbu, Celestine Udoka; Prof. Charles Nweke
ART AND CULTURAL NATIONALISM IN COLONIAL NIGERIA (1900–1960)
This paper examines the emergence of modern Nigerian art during the colonial period between 1900 and 1960, tracing how it evolved from a communal and functional practice into a dynamic medium for individual expression and nationalist assertion. The study adopts a historical and theoretical framework grounded in three ideological pillars—nationalism, art, and cultural nationalism—demonstrating how visual production became a critical arena for contesting racial inequality and asserting cultural sovereignty. Central to this transformation was the psychological shift occasioned by the World Wars, particularly the Second World War, which dismantled colonial myths of European invincibility and strengthened African cultural confidence. The paper analyses the contributions of pioneering cultural nationalists, including Aina Onabolu, whose mastery of academic realism challenged assumptions of African inferiority; Kenneth Murray, who institutionalised indigenous aesthetics within colonial education; Akinola Lasekan, who used art as a form of political satire; and Ben Enwonwu, who synthesised African themes with modernist techniques to achieve global recognition. Particular attention is given to the Zaria Art Society and its philosophy of Natural Synthesis, which rejected binary distinctions between tradition and modernity. The contributions of expatriate intermediaries such as Ulli Beier and Father Kevin Carroll provided essential institutional support through initiatives such as Black Orpheus, the Mbari workshops, and liturgical commissions. By independence in 1960, Nigerian artists had forged a sovereign and self-possessed visual identity that paralleled the nation’s political liberation.
Cultural Nationalism, Colonial Nigerian Art, Natural Synthesis, Decolonisation, Nigerian Modernism, Visual Identity
Introducing the Formation and Occurrence of Metal in Art Education
Art education provides a nexus between the fields of education and culture. The knowledge of the rudiments of culture is rooted in arts education. Thus, art education is key to the appreciation of cultural identities and diversities. In the current study, the formation and occurrence of metals in art education with emphasis on metalworking art in Igbo land been discussed. A quantitative study was used. The population of the study comprised 52 fine Art teachers in the 18 secondary schools in Awka South-Local Government Area of Anambra State. No sampling was done as the population was of manageable size. Data were collected using a 10-item questionnaire. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The finding of the study indicated that the introduction of the occurrence of metals in art education will enable students: differentiate between metals and ores; recall the occurrence of metals in native forms; recall the occurrence of metals in combined forms; list the occurrence of minerals of different metals and list different methods involved in the extraction of metals.
Indecent Dressing in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of Nnamdi Azikiwe Unversity, Awka, Anambra State
The trend of indecent dressing appears to have continued unabated as students; males and females alike are still found dressed indecently in the lecture hall and even beyond. Thus, the objective of the study was to find out the causes and consequences of indecent dressing in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The sample of this study was made up of 300 undergraduate students obtained via accidental sampling technique. Data collected with self-developed questionnaire were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that indecent dressing among undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is caused peer pressure, poor parenting, poor self-worth, internet addiction, a feeling of wanting to belong as well as fading societal values. The finding of the study further indicated that sexual harassment, devaluation of a lady/guy, tendency for a lady to be lured into prostitution and poor academic achievement are some of the consequences of indecent dressing among undergraduate students. It was recommended among others that University administrators should see to the legalization and implementation of dress code that portrays decency so as to address the menace of indecent dressing.
Indecent dressing, Undergraduate students, causes and consequences
PROGNOSTIC IMAGINATION AND AFRICAN LITERARY WRITERS IN THE CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN POSTCOLONY: A STUDY OF CHIGOZIE OBIOMA’S THE FISHERMEN
This study examines the role of African writers in projecting future possibilities within the African postcolony through the framework of prognostic imagination, especially in recent times when excessive power is wielded in the postcolony, leaving it fragile and precarious. African literature has traditionally focused on revisiting colonial histories and interrogating the socio-political crises of post-independence societies. While such retrospective engagement remains important, it often limits the imaginative capacity of literature to envision alternative futures for the continent. The problem that motivates this research is the continued dominance of backward-looking and retrospective narratives in African literary discourse, which creates a gap in exploring the prophetic or anticipatory role that literature can perform in shaping future consciousness. The purpose of this research is to investigate how writers can move beyond retrospective representations to assume a visionary role that anticipates possible trajectories for African societies through the imaginative power of prognosis, thereby guiding readers toward the future. The study analyzes The Fishermen by ChigozieObioma. Using qualitative textual analysis, the research is theoretically grounded in the postcolonial framework of AchilleMbembe, particularly his concepts of commandment, entanglement, intimacy of power, and necropolitics. The study is limited to selected contemporary African novels that demonstrate elements of prophetic imagination. Findings reveal that the writer employs symbolism, prophecy, narrative foreshadowing, and speculative imagination to critique present socio-political realities while projecting possible futures within the African postcolony. The study concludes that African writers possess the creative capacity to function not only as chroniclers of past and present experiences but also as visionary agents of future consciousness. It recommends increased scholarly engagement with prognostic imagination.
African Writers, African literature, Prognosis, Literary techniques, Postcolony/ theory on the postcolony
COGNITIVE AND SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF IGBO PROVERBS RELATED TO HUMAN BODY PARTS
This study delves into the rich tapestry of Igbo people proverbs, exploring the intricate cognitive and semantic mechanisms underlying the use of body-part references. Focusing on a sample of 25 proverbs collected from 25 diverse Igbo speakers across five southeastern states in Nigeria—Enugu State, Anambra State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, and Abia State—data were collected using writing materials and audio recordings. The study aims to uncover the deep-rooted cultural beliefs and values embedded in these linguistic expressions. Using a carefully designed methodological framework, the researchers employed content analysis, metaphor analysis, and interpretative phenomenological analysis. The body parts examined include the head, heart, eyes, hands, back, legs, and fingers, among others. For example, the proverb “Aka aja aja na-ebute ọnụ mmanụ mmanụ” (a sandy hand brings about an oily mouth) conveys the idea that hard work and diligence lead to positive outcomes or rewards. Here, aka aja aja symbolizes industriousness, while ọnụ mmanụ mmanụ represents the reward of such effort. By analyzing the symbolic representations of body parts in these proverbs, the study provides a valuable insight into the Igbo worldview and their profound conceptualization of the human body.
Proverbs, Igbo, cognitive, semantic, body-part
Ebele Deborah Uba & Ajutora Goodness Ifechukwu
EXPLOSION OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT
Aside its benefits to the individual person, education functions in any nation as a lubricant for the engine of development. It builds up human capital which is a core determinant of a nation’s prosperity. Hence, lacking the necessary means to cater for the tertiary education of her teeming number of youths, Nigeria introduced private higher education bill through an amendment decree in 1993. The bill permitted individuals and private bodies to erect tertiary institutions as supplement to the government’s efforts in the sector. The concomitant of this is the unbridled proliferation of private institutions at the expense of excellence. Thus, the paper aims at investigating the implications of this sacrifice of quality for quantity. Using the method of analysis, it examines critically how these mushroom educational institutions have impacted the quality of education rendered to the students and the overall development of Nigeria. In the light of the purpose of education as a means of preparing and empowering the young for developmental roles, it explores the depressing state of tertiary education in Nigeria. It reveals that the system is rightly a Second Generation Model (GSM) with its products lacking employable skills. This study recommends as following; an abrogation of the bill that enabled such unchecked explosion; proper supervision of primary and secondary schools where occurs the foundational learning which tertiary institutions consolidate; serious punishment for examination malpractice; review of curriculum; and digitalization of learning
Educational Institutions, Nigeria, Quality, government, private
INFLUENCE OF CYBERBULLYING ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
The study examined the relationship between cyberbullying and the mental health of university students in Southeast Nigeria. Specifically, it assessed the prevalence of cyberbullying among university students, identified the mental health issues experienced by victims, and explored ways students believe cyberbullying can be curtailed. The study was anchored on the tenets of Social Influence Theory. A survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The sample size consisted of 400 university students selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The major findings revealed that 95% of the students were aware of the different forms of cyberbullying, including exclusion (94.0%), cyberstalking (96.0%), dissing (77.0%), and trolling (95.0%). The results also showed that victims experienced mental health issues such as panic disorders (94.0%), social phobia (93.0%), mood disorders (92.0%), and personality disorders (91.0%). Furthermore, the findings indicated that students believed that awareness campaigns (98.0%), seminars and workshops (94.0%), and the enforcement of laws (93.0%) are effective strategies for curbing cyberbullying. The correlation analysis yielded a coefficient (r) of 0.72, indicating a strong positive relationship between cyberbullying and mental health challenges among university students in Southeast Nigeria. The study concluded that cyberbullying has a significant positive relationship with mental health problems among university students. It recommended that university management should consistently educate students on the effects of cyberbullying, particularly its impact on mental health, in order to reduce its occurrence and associated risks.
Cyberbullying, Mental Health, University Students
Ralph-Nwachukwu, Onyinye Patricia; Ihejirika Walter C.; Benson-Eluwa Virginia; Onu, Samson E.
ENGLISH STUDIES DURING COVID-19 ERA IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND EFFECTS
This paper, English studies in the covid-19 Era considers the challenges of English studies during Covid-19 Era in Nigeria. Covid-19 Era was a time when the world in general and Africans in particular were indoors. People were advised to stay in their homes in order not to come in contact with the pandemic. This has led to everything standing still. In order to carry out this study, the researcher discusses the major terms, language, the challenges of English studies in the covid-19 era, the effects the challenges had on English studies. The importance of English studies, and the benefits of English Language Degree to Nigerians. This article adopted a qualitative descriptive method. The findings show that English Language studies was affected during the covid-19 era. The paper recommends that people should keep away from anything that will ever make covid-19 to come back in Nigeria so that English studies will not be disturbed.
The Challenges of Teaching English Language and Literature in Tertiary institutions in Nigeria
There are two fundamentally different ways of understanding teaching. The first sees teaching as an instructor-centered activity in which knowledge is transmitted from someone who has acquired that knowledge to a novice learner: Teaching as knowledge transmission. The second sees teaching as a learner centered activity in which the instructor ensures that learning is made possible for novice learners and supports, guides and encourages them in their active and independent creation of new knowledge: teaching assisted knowledge creation. Teaching is the activities involved in facilitating or educating to impart knowledge or skills to learners. For one to teach well, one must have mastered English language and literature in order to communicate well. Effective communication is made possible through English Language and Literature. It is really a fact that English language and Literature have made rapid and remarkable progress in the study of languages. As disciplines, they quickly gained recognition, popularity and acceptance in the country, Nigeria. This feat, however, could not escape distractions as it is confronted with certain challenges especially in Nigeria. This paper therefore, examines the challenges of teaching English language and literature in Nigeria. The article adopts a conceptual study method and was guided by three objectives which sought to know the status of English language and literature in Nigeria, the challenges that confront the teaching process and the effects of the challenges on the Nigerian learners. The paper adopts a qualitative descriptive method. The study also adopts the communicative competence theory propounded by Dell Hymes in 1966. The study finds out that teaching of the two disciplines had some challenges in Nigeria. Ways of improving the disciplines were recommended.
Teaching, English language and literature, challenges, E-learning
UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF AFRICAN UNION REGIONAL SECURITY INITIATIVES FROM A CONSTRUCTIVIST PERSPECTIVE
Africa, with its failed and failing states, weak institutions, ungoverned spaces, and widening socio-economic inequalities, has increasingly experienced endemic conflict. The continent’s security has become a growing concern for the United States and other global powers. Today, the African security environment is dynamic, characterized by a volatile mix of conflict, instability, and state fragility. This paper observes that Africa faces a combination of fragile governments, weak institutions, pervasive poverty, and a legacy of recurrent violent conflict, while simultaneously becoming increasingly integrated into the global security architecture. In an era of globalization, global insecurity poses a significant threat to the continent. From a Constructivist perspective—which emphasizes the role of shared values, norms, and interests—the African Union seeks to address a broad spectrum of traditional and non-traditional security threats through regional and international security engagement and activism. This study examines African strategies for ensuring peace, security, and stability at national, sub-regional, and regional levels. The paper describes the African Union’s approach to peace and security as a constructivist-inspired cooperative security framework and demonstrates that sub-regional organizations are vital actors in the continent’s security architecture. This study employs a qualitative research methodology, drawing on primary sources and relevant secondary and tertiary documents. It concludes with recommendations designed to strengthen regional security mechanisms and deliver more effective, results-oriented outcomes.
Africa, Security, Global, Conflict, Regional
UMUAHIA UNDER BRITISH COLONIAL RULE, 1900-1960
Umuahia, under British colonial rule (1900–1960), evolved from a cluster of Igbo agrarian communities into a strategically important administrative, commercial, and missionary hub in Eastern Nigeria. The consolidation of British control over the Bende Division and the surrounding hinterland enabled the imposition of new political structures, most notably the warrant chief system and native courts, which reconfigured indigenous authority and facilitated colonial economic extraction. The extension of the Eastern Railway to Umuahia in 1912 and the establishment of a main station by 1916 integrated the area into the imperial trade network, transforming it into a major depot for palm produce, foodstuffs, and livestock destined for coastal ports and northern markets. These infrastructural changes attracted European firms, migrant traders, and colonial officials, thereby altering settlement patterns, labour relations, and class formation in the emerging township. Christian missions—principally Anglican (CMS), Methodist, and Catholic—expanded rapidly in the first half of the twentieth century, founding schools and health facilities that promoted literacy, Western education, and biomedicine while challenging indigenous religious practices. Their activities were closely intertwined with colonial administration and commerce, reinforcing new socio-cultural norms even as local communities negotiated, adapted to, or resisted aspects of evangelization and cultural change. By the mid-twentieth century, Umuahia had acquired key regional institutions, including government schools and medical and hygiene training facilities, which positioned it as an educational and public health centre in Eastern Nigeria. Despite these apparent advances, colonial policies generated enduring social tensions, economic dependency on export crops, and political dislocation, as customary institutions were subordinated to colonial rule and new elites emerged through mission education and participation in the colonial economy. The period 1900–1960 thus left a complex legacy: Umuahia was simultaneously modernized and subordinated, becoming a pivotal town in Eastern Nigeria whose postcolonial trajectory remained deeply shaped by its colonial experiences in governance, trade, religion, and urban development.
Umuahia, British colonialism, indirect rule, economic transformation, southeastern Nigeria, warrant chiefs, urbanization
THE ESOTERIC THOUGHTS: A PHILOSOPHY OF THE OCCULT
This work examines the meeting point of philosophy, religion, and occultism, with particular attention to the esoteric ideas that have shaped both ancient civilizations and contemporary spiritual practice. It explores fundamental questions about the nature of reality, the structure of the universe, and the meaning of human existence, approaching these themes through the lens of inner or hidden knowledge. Drawing from a wide range of philosophical and religious traditions- including Greek philosophy, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Igbo Traditional Religion, and Christianity- the study highlights the often-overlooked mystical and symbolic dimensions within these systems. Central to the discussion is the argument that occultism, Astrology, divination, necromancy etc., despite being widely misunderstood and stigmatized, constitutes a serious and coherent field of inquiry. When approached critically and historically, it offers valuable insights into human consciousness, spiritual development, and humanity’s enduring search for the divine.