ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences

Government Spending on Human Capital Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria: The Interactive Influence of Insecurity

EMMANUEL UMALE ABBAH — 2025-04-26

Using the Vector Error Correction Methodology, this research examined the interactive nature of insecurity on the relationship between government spending on human capital development and economic growth in Nigeria from 1992 to 2022. The study revealed that in the long run, recurrent government spending on education and health positively and significantly influenced economic growth. The interactive variable (insecurity and recurrent government spending on education and health) in the long run negatively and significantly affected economic growth in Nigeria. Furthermore, the variance decomposition result revealed that in the short run, recurrent government spending on education and health caused significant variations in economic growth, followed by insecurity and then the interactive variable (insecurity and recurrent government spending on education and health). However, in the long run, the interactive variable (insecurity and recurrent government spending on education and health) has a more significant influence on economic growth, followed by insecurity and lastly, recurrent government spending on education and health. Thus, the study recommended that the government should increase spending on human capital development, especially recurrent government spending on education and health. Furthermore, increased government spending on the country's security apparatus is also advocated.

Relationship between Work Flexibility, Work-from-Home Practices, and Job Satisfaction among Freelancers in Lagos State, Nigeria

UTHMAN OPEYEMI ADIGUN — 2025-04-26

This study explores the relationship between work flexibility, work-from-home practices, and job satisfaction among freelancers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 293 freelancers across various sectors, including graphic design, writing, programming, and consulting. A purposive sampling technique ensured the selection of participants with relevant experiences in flexible work arrangements. Three validated instruments were employed: the Flexible Work Options Questionnaire (FWOQ), the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), and the Work from Home Scale, which assessed attitudes toward flexible work practices, job satisfaction levels, and competencies in managing remote work. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients, were conducted using SPSS. The findings revealed significant positive correlations between work flexibility and job satisfaction (r = 0.789), as well as between work-from-home practices and job satisfaction (r = 0.831). These results emphasize the vital role of flexible work arrangements in enhancing job satisfaction among freelancers. The study offers original insights into the often-overlooked freelance workforce, indicating that increased flexibility and effective work from home practices can lead to higher job satisfaction and engagement.

Effect of Agribusiness Clusters and Youth Policy Engagement on Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices among Young Agripreneurs in Southwest Nigeria

Olukayode Awobajo — 2025-04-26

The agricultural sector in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including insufficient youth engagement and limited adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, despite its potential for economic growth and employment. This study investigates the effect of agribusiness clusters and youth policy engagement on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among youth agripreneurs in Southwest Nigeria. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, the study sampled 369 youth participants from Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states, who participated in agribusiness training programmes funded by national and international development partners. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple regression analysis, the findings revealed that agribusiness clusters (β = 0.29, t = 5.44, p < 0.05) and youth policy engagement (β = 0.43, t = 8.17, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The study highlights the importance of collaborative networks and inclusive policymaking in promoting sustainability and recommends investing in agribusiness clusters as hubs for innovation and fostering youth participation in policy development. These approaches are critical to empowering youth, enhancing sustainability and driving agricultural transformation in Nigeria.

Implication of Government Health Expenditure for Human Capital Development in Nigeria

Azuka Nwokocha — 2025-04-26

The relationship between government health expenditure and human capital development has been widely discussed. It is a known fact that the more the health sector is funded, the more healthy people would be and this would enable them to invest in themselves and increase human capital. However, the health sector’s funding in Nigeria is low and has not helped to improve the development of human capital. It is for this reason that this study examined the impact of government health expenditure on human capital development spanning 1999 to 2023. The data for the annual time series were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin 2023, and World Development Indicator 2023. The study adopted the vector error correction model (VECM) as an appropriate method of analysis. The results however found that government health expenditure and out-of-pocket expenditure have positive and significant impact on human capital development. Similarly, physician per capita and inflation rate are insignificant and negative with human capital development, meaning these two variables cause decline in human capital development during the period covered in the study. The results of the analysis made this study to recommend that there is the need for the government to increase health sector’s funding to aid the building of state-of-the-art health facilities that would help the development of human capital in Nigeria.

The Making and Termination of Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact: A Retrospective Analysis

Raliat Enessi — 2025-04-26

The intricacies of the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Agreement threw up a number of intriguing questions, necessitating a closer interrogation. The Nigerian opposition decried the defence agreement as a neo-colonial scheme that was an obstacle to full independence. The Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact was an agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom that outlined military cooperation shortly after Nigeria gained independence from British Colonial rule. The question is whether the defence agreement transitioned from Imperial rule to informal influence or control. The main argument of this paper is that this was not the case. The study relied on secondary sources of data and the realist theory of international relations. The study concludes that the protests and eventual termination of the pact highlighted the importance of engaging the public and key stakeholders in decisions that affect national sovereignty. Nigeria’s rejection of the pact can be seen as a broader statement about the country's desire to chart its own path on the global stage, free from the influence of former colonial powers.

The Nigerian Peasantry and Impediments to a Socialist Revolution: Will the Military Support a Workers’ Insurrection?

Praise Fisayo Duyile — 2025-04-26

The socialism so far propagated in Africa has not had as much impact as it ought to. There remains a lack of social consciousness among the majority of ordinary people. Granted that the capitalist mode of production inherited from colonialism is largely to blame, it is still important to mention that African politicians and their academic henchmen have subverted even the indigenous political system into a viciously exploitative and repressive one. This paper focused on colonial rule in Nigeria as the advent of capitalist exploitation and how it was sustained by Nigerian comprador politicians. It investigated the level of revolutionary fervour among the working class and identified worker alienation and the bourgeoning reserved army of labour as impediments to the dictatorship of the proletariat predicted by Karl Marx. The study also explored the potential involvement of the military in a workers’ revolution. It found that, despite the Nigerian military's historical ties to imperial control over civilians, its members are not insulated from the systemic injustices and poverty affecting society. Consequently, they might choose to align with workers advocating for socioeconomic change that could also benefit them.

Dis-Unity in Diversity: An Assessment of the Roles of Identities in Political Mobilisation in Nigeria

Adamu Muazu — 2025-04-26

This paper explores the multifaceted roles of identities in political mobilisation in Nigeria. Specifically, it examines how ethnic, religious, and regional identities influence political mobilisation and behaviour, and the militating effect on national coercion. The paper adopted the elite and group theories to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of identity in Nigeria’s political mobilisation. Data for the study were generated using the documentary method to interrogate mechanisms by which identities are leveraged by political actors to galvanise support and build coalitions to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic landscape. The generated data were analysed using the content method of data analysis. Our Findings showed that identity politics has played a pivotal role in shaping drives towards political mobilisation from different standpoints, like the formation of political parties, socio-cultural organisations amongst various ethnic, regional and religious blocs. This underscores the dual nature of identities as both unifying and divisive forces in political mobilisation. Based on this, the paper recommended that groups (identities) should be adequately represented in decision making process at various institutions of government to reduce the rate at which agitations and grievances are expressed violently. Successive governments must strive to promote national consciousness through the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to avoid all forms of disunity and enable future generations to seek unity amidst Nigeria’s diversity.

Democratisation, Political and Economic Development in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal of the Fourth Republic

Samuel Sunday Idowu — 2025-04-26

This study examines Nigeria’s democratisation process and its effect on political and economic development in the Fourth Republic. The challenges confronting the country’s politics and economy under the current republic necessitate this research. The explanatory sequential survey design was adopted. The study involved the administration of questionnaire to the senior academic staff of the Nigerian Social and Economic Research Institute and interview data. These data were descriptively analysed. The findings indicated that the process of democratisation has fallen short of achieving the anticipated political and economic outcomes, and citizen engagement has been limited. This underscores the need for a more profound commitment to democratisation and the enhancement of political institutions to maximize the benefits of democracy.

Dog Fancying and its Social Problems: Analysis of Dog Keeping Problems and Social Dimension of its Peculiarity in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Taiwo A. Akinyemi — 2025-04-26

Humans have coexisted with animals for centuries for the purposes of domestication, companionship, and ecological interactions. However, this bond is not without its challenges; it carries risks for humans that must be taken seriously and addressed appropriately. This study examined the various challenges peculiar to dog keeping in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative approach to data collection, with 200 volunteers from the pool of dog enthusiasts across the headquarters of eleven (11) local governments, and made use of Robert K. Merton’s strands of functionalism for solidification. The findings show that there are certain social problems peculiar to dog keeping that could constitute a threat to humans. It concludes that measures should be in place for total compliance – on the part of dog owners – with all regulations such as obtaining all needed vaccines for dogs that will help to save lives, curbing the spread of diseases that may be contracted, and ultimately, promoting life on earth for both human and non-human beings.

Interrogating the Experiences of Women in the Conflict Process: Lessons from the Nigerian Terror War

Roseline Oshewolo — 2025-04-26

While several efforts have been made to examine the Nigerian terror war, the experiences of women in the conflict process have not been adequately interrogated. This study is therefore aimed at investigating the different levels of women involvement in the conflict process with a focus on the Nigerian terror war. Explaining the roles and experiences of women in conflict could take place at three levels of analysis. First, women may be seen as victims who experience greater violations in conflict situations. Second, women may be seen as conflict perpetrators, even though this dimension is often ignored because of their soft psychology. Third, women could play a key role in mitigating conflicts through their participation in post-conflict policy formulations. This study is significant because it contributes to the expansion of knowledge on the experiences of women in the Nigerian terror war in particular, and contributes to building nuances and analytical frameworks for understanding the place of women in the conflict process in general. This study employed interview as an instrument of data collection and other secondary sources of data such as books, journals, reports by local and international bodies, and national dailies/newspapers. The data generated is analysed using thematic analysis.

Assessment of Freight Movement in the Inland Waterways System in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Femi Aiyegbajeje — 2025-04-26

The high dependence on land transportation for the movement of both passengers and freight within the Lagos metropolis is not sustainable. The advocacy for the use of Lagos waterways for freight movement must be encouraged. In achieving this, there is the need to document necessary information about water transportation. This study is therefore intended to identify the determining factors for the use of water to move freight on the inland waterways within the Lagos metropolis. Both primary and secondary data were adopted for the study. The primary data was sourced using a structured questionnaire targeting ownership/management of the marine craft (i.e., private, public, or public/private). The respondents included 47 registered members of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN). The secondary data were sourced from the records of BOAN focusing on the details of boats and operators. Frequency distribution and charts were used for presenting and summarizing the data, whereas, the multinomial logistic regression model was employed to test the formulated hypothesis The multinomial logistic regression results show that the determinants of the choice of water route were freight availability (Odd Ratio: 3.257), freight (Odd Ratio: 2.350), and availability of transshipment facilities (Odd Ratio: 2.159). Availability of transshipment facilities had positive and statistically significant relationships with the choice of water route (r=0.86). This study, therefore, recommends that the state government should take necessary steps to improve the inland water transport system in Lagos state.

Utilization of Natural Ventilation Strategies for Improving Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Low-Cost Housing in Lagos State, Nigeria

Eze Wisdom Ogochukwu — 2025-04-26

Natural ventilation plays a crucial role in enhancing thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in low-cost housing. This study investigates the effectiveness of natural ventilation strategies in Ajegunle, Lagos State, focusing on building orientation, window configuration, and structural permeability. A quantitative research approach was adopted, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to 150 randomly selected respondents. Data analysis, conducted using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, revealed a negative correlation (r = -0.62) between natural ventilation efficiency and reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The study found that 73% of respondents in well-ventilated homes used fans and air conditioners less frequently, whereas 81% in poorly ventilated homes depended on these appliances daily. Additionally, factors such as financial constraints (64%), landlord unwillingness (58%), and security concerns (46%) were identified as barriers to implementing effective passive cooling solutions. Despite these challenges, the study underscores the potential of natural ventilation in improving living conditions in low-cost housing. The findings offer valuable insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers, emphasizing the need for design innovations and policy support to enhance passive cooling strategies in affordable housing developments. Future research should explore advanced passive cooling techniques and their long-term impacts on energy efficiency and occupant well-being.

Workplace Ostracism and the Productivity of Nigerian Nurses: A Review Essay

Idris Adesina — 2025-04-26

This study examines the impact of workplace ostracism on Nigerian nurses, exploring its effects on job satisfaction, mental health, productivity, and patient care quality. Through a thematic analysis of existing literature, key themes were identified, revealing a strong association between workplace ostracism and diminished job satisfaction, increased psychological distress, and reduced work performance. The findings suggest that ostracism not only harm individual nurses but also disrupts team dynamics, lowers morale, and compromises healthcare service delivery. Additionally, the study highlights coping mechanisms such as emotional intelligence and resilience, which may mitigate ostracism’s adverse effects. The research underscores the need for fostering an inclusive organisational culture and implementing policies to address workplace incivility. Future studies should investigate effective interventions and their long-term implications for nursing staff and healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.