ANSU Journal of Arts And Social Sciences

An assessment of the adoption of electronic governance in the Nigerian civil service of Edo State

Fred Osahon Okunmahie — 2025-02-26

The Edo State government adopted e-governance to enjoy the benefit of efficiency, accountability, and faster and more transparent delivery of public services among others. However, this study became important to find out the extent to which all these have been achieved seamlessly or with challenges. Edo State is currently the only state in Nigeria that has completely shifted from analogue to digital technology with over 20 million files imputed into the e-governance structure and the only state in Nigeria operating 100 per cent e-governance. This paper looked at Electronic Governance adoption in the Edo State civil service. Five research objectives were raised to guide the study. The population of the study comprises Edo State civil servants working in the eighteen ministries. The study utilized the mixed method of data collection and adopted a novel theory of public management serving as the analytical framework. The research outcomes showed that the Edo State government has recently made significant investments in e-governance by, among other things, creating the superstructure necessary for e-governance to flourish in the State. Additionally, the use of ICTs and other electronic devices runs through every aspect of the Edo State. The study concluded that the utilization of ICTs and other electronic devices has brought about efficiency, effectiveness, flexibility, innovation, and creativity in providing government services to all its stakeholders in the Edo State Civil Service. Thus, the paper recommended among others the urgent need for the Edo State Government to speed up actions to bridge the digital gap that exists among its workforce.

International finance and maternal mortality in North Central, Nigeria

Idris Ahmed Sani — 2025-02-26

This study assessed the impact of international finance on maternal mortality rates in North Central Nigeria, focusing on the relationship between funding from international bodies, the effectiveness of NGO interventions, and barriers and facilitators influencing these initiatives. Employing a quantitative research design, the study surveyed 310 participants, including women aged 18-49, healthcare providers, NGO representatives, and government officials across six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Data were collected through an online survey with structured questionnaires, analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, logistic regression, and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between international funding and maternal mortality rates (Pearson's r = 0.45, p < 0.05), suggesting that higher funding levels correlate with higher mortality rates. NGO interventions were found to significantly reduce maternal mortality rates (Odds ratio = 1.82, p < 0.05). Barriers such as funding allocation issues and lack of local infrastructure, alongside facilitators like strong local partnerships, were identified as critical factors influencing the success of international finance initiatives (Adjusted R² = 0.62, p < 0.05). Conclusions drawn highlight the need for a reevaluation of funding allocation strategies to ensure effective utilization, enhanced NGO interventions through community-aligned programs, and addressing identified barriers to maximize the success of international finance initiatives. Recommendations include optimizing funding strategies with stringent monitoring and evaluation, strengthening NGO programs through sustainable support and community collaboration, improving local infrastructure and healthcare worker training. This comprehensive approach aims to achieve sustainable improvements in maternal health outcomes in North Central Nigeria.

Importation and manufacturing sector performance in Nigeria: An empirical analysis

Paul I. Unegbu — 2025-02-26

A profitable and robust manufacturing sector is a catalyst for any nation's sustainable growth and development. Although Nigeria’s manufacturing sub-sector has the potential to shift the economy from consumption-based to a production-drive, and to foster economic linkages, it appears to be gradually collapsing. This study examined the impact of importation on manufacturing sector performance in Nigeria from 1970 to 2019. Importation was categorized into imported capital goods, imported intermediate goods, and imported manufactured goods. Models formulated in the study were estimated using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) test. The ARDL bounds cointegration test revealed evidence of short-run and long-run relationships among manufacturing sector performance and importation variables. The result showed that imported intermediate, capital, and manufactured goods prevent or demote Nigeria's manufacturing sector export within the period of the study. The empirical result is in line with the import dependence theory which states that imported intermediate, capital, and manufactured goods significantly prevent or demote the manufacturing sector's export in Nigeria. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the government should put in place measures that will significantly increase production of processed and manufactured goods for export or provoke transformation of the structure of exports from primary commodities to processed and manufactured goods.

Management of 2023 post-election crises in Nigeria: A public relations approach

Chinwe Mirian Odionye — 2025-02-26

Based on debates and controversies following the declaration and inauguration of President Bola Amed Tinubu over the perceived winner of the 2023 presidential election and the current challenge of Nigerians over hike in pump price of fuel due to fuel subsidy removal which has resulted in high cost of living and hardship, this position paper serves as a contribution on how public relations approaches/strategies could be used in managing the 2023 post-election crisis in Nigeria. The three objectives that guided the paper were to: ascertain the issues that constitute 2023 post-election crisis in Nigeria; outline public relations strategies that could be used/adopted in managing 2023 post-election differences and establish how the identified public relations strategies will effectively curb the 2023 post-election crisis. This paper was anchored on Grunig and Hunt’s Two-Way Symmetrical Communication Model of Public Relations with its main thrusts on dialogue, listening, understanding and two-way symmetrical methods to explain how effective communication, dialogue, balance in communication flow (horizontal flow) and understanding as against one-sided (asymmetrical) communication flow and discord etc. could be adopted/used in managing and possibly curbing the 2023 post-election differences. The paper adopted a library-based approach which essentially entails a review of existing literature as the basis for understanding the research issue and reaching necessary conclusions.

Predation and competition in fiction: An analysis of the oppressor/oppressed dichotomy in Ifeoma Odinye’s Pain in the Neck

Amete Alexander — 2025-02-26

In practical term, there exists only but a thin, or perhaps an imaginary line separating the oppressors from the oppressed in every given society. This is because those who are oppressed by stronger individuals or groups also exploit their kin and even their oppressors whenever they have the opportunity to do so. This paper sought to interrogate the traditional juxtaposition of the oppressors and oppressed groups using such binary oppositions as rich/poor, male/female, white/black and so on. The Marxist Literary Theory was used to analyze the instances of exploitation and subjugation of the weak in Ifeoma Odinye’s Pain in the Neck. The findings reveal that humans have high propensity to manipulate other people around them, regardless of their social category. The analysis also unveils a novel dimension of the issue of oppressors/oppressed relationship; a situation where the oppressors feel that they are being oppressed.

Remittance and childcare services in North Central: A Study of Ankpa Local Government in Kogi State

Idris Ahmed Sani — 2025-02-26

This study examined the relationship between remittances and childcare services in Ankpa Local Government, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. A quantitative methodology was adopted, involving a structured survey administered to 400 households that receive remittances. The study utilized purposive sampling to ensure the sample was representative of remittance-receiving households, with data collected through questionnaires focusing on remittance patterns, childcare service utilization, and household demographics. Multiple regression, correlation analysis, and ANOVA were employed to analyze the data. Findings indicate that regular remittance inflows significantly enhance the accessibility and quality of childcare services. Households with consistent remittances were more likely to afford formal childcare services, which are associated with better developmental outcomes for children. Conversely, households receiving irregular or lower remittances tended to rely on informal childcare, often of varying quality. The study also found a strong correlation between higher remittances and increased spending on childcare services, highlighting the critical role of remittances in improving household welfare. The study concludes that remittances play a vital role in supporting childcare services in Ankpa Local Government, but disparities in remittance patterns create unequal access to quality care. It recommends targeted policies to improve the accessibility and quality of childcare services, particularly for households with limited or irregular remittances. Policymakers should focus on enhancing the infrastructure for formal childcare and providing support for households struggling to access quality services, ensuring equitable opportunities for all children in the region.

Technology and agriculture in Nigeria

Vivian Uju Amah — 2025-02-26

This study investigated the impact of technology on agriculture in Nigeria. Secondary data spanning from 1990 to 2021 on the percentage contribution of agriculture to GDP; Agricultural machinery (tractors) per 100 squares of arable land; Government expenditure on agriculture; and percentage of employment in agriculture and arable land were used for the study. These data were analyzed using Autoregressive Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) econometric technique. The results revealed that for the period under study, technology had an insignificant positive impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that government should increase the amount devoted to technology to maximize its positive impacts on agriculture and the economy at large.

Social wellness and development: The true essence of humanity

Sylvester Ntomchukwu Madu — 2025-02-26

This paper is an exploration of social wellness and development as the true essence of humanity. It started by defining social wellness and its significance in human life; the importance of social development for individual well-being and societal progress; and an exploration of how social wellness and development are integral to the essence of humanity. The authors went deeper by throwing more light on the components of social wellness (emotional, psychological, and physical well-being); the importance of healthy relationships, community involvement, and supportive networks; and gave some examples of societies or communities where social wellness is prioritized. Impact of social development on individuals, especially as it relates to the role of social interactions in personal growth and self-esteem, how social skills contribute to career success and personal fulfilment, and some case studies or examples illustrating the positive effects of strong social connections, were also elaborated upon. Social development and societal progress, with special reference to the relationship between societal development and collective well-being, the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and social justice in fostering a healthy society, and some examples of policies or initiatives that promote social development on a larger scale, were also presented. Common obstacles to achieving social wellness (e.g., social isolation, discrimination, inequality), how these challenges affect individuals and communities negatively, and strategies or solutions to overcome these barriers, were not left out. Finally, the role of education, community programs, and government policies in promoting social wellness, the importance of empathy, respect, and understanding in fostering positive social interactions, and successful initiatives or approaches from different cultures or regions, were presented. The paper concluded with an emphasis on the importance of social wellness and development in shaping the essence of humanity; a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize social wellness in their policies and practices; and on how achieving social wellness contributes to a more harmonious and prosperous society.

Carbon emission and economic growth in Nigeria: Toda- Yamamoto causality approach

Ogochukwu Theresa Ugwunna — 2025-02-26

Environmental pollution has been neglected in literature especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Carbon emission is a great source of environmental pollution. This poses a great challenge to economic growth in Nigeria. There has been controversy if carbon emission leads to economic growth or if economic growth leads to carbon emission. Therefore, this study examined the effect of carbon emission on economic growth in Nigeria and also determined the direction of the relationship using the Toda Yamamoto Approach. Annual time series data between 1981 and 2020 were employed. The dependent variable is economic growth (Y), the independent variables includes, carbon emissions (CO2), energy consumption, capital (K), and labour (L). Unit root result shows that the variables are stationary after first differencing. The cointegration result indicates there is long run relationship among the variables. Toda Yamamoto causality shows there is a bi-directional causality between economic growth and carbon emissions in Nigeria. Also, the study finds that carbon emission (CO2) had positive and significant effect on economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommends that the effect of carbon emission should not be neglected due to environmental hazard caused by it. Therefore, the government/non-governmental organizations should increase awareness on the effect of carbon emission and encourage eco-friendly technology to drive economic activities so that it can lower carbon emissions in the long run.