International Journal of Law, Politics and Humanities Research
International Journal of Law, Politics and Humanities Research is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that provides a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas, research findings, and critical reflections within the fields of law, political science, and the humanities. The journal aims to promote interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses contemporary societal challenges, explores human experiences, and contributes to policy, legal, and cultural discourses on both global and regional scales. eISSN: 3027-0634 ISSN: 3027-1754
Cambridge Research and Publications International
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS IN NIGERIA (1960–2025): HISTORICAL TRAJECTORIES, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has embarked on several civil service reforms aimed at restructuring the bureaucracy to enhance efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. These reforms were often motivated by changing political regimes, economic crises, and administrative inefficiencies. This article critically examines the trajectory of civil service reforms in Nigeria from 1960 to 2025, with a focus on their objectives, implementation strategies, outcomes, and persistent challenges. Drawing on historical analysis, secondary data, and contemporary policy documents, the study highlights key reform commissions such as the Mbanefo Commission, the Adebo and Udoji Commissions, the 1988 Dotun Philips Reforms, and post-1999 restructuring efforts including the Oronsaye Report, Treasury Single Account (TSA), and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). While some reforms introduced digital innovations and sought to curb corruption, others were undermined by weak political will, poor implementation, and entrenched patronage systems. The findings reveal that despite over six decades of reforms, Nigeria’s civil service continues to grapple with inefficiency, corruption, and politicization. The study argues that reforms often failed because they were reactive, regime-driven, and lacked continuity. By employing theoretical insights from Weberian bureaucracy, New Public Management (NPM), and governance theories, the paper situates Nigeria’s reform experience within broader debates on state capacity and institutional resilience. The article concludes with recommendations for future reforms, emphasizing digital transformation, meritocracy, depoliticization, and sustained monitoring mechanisms as pathways toward a more accountable and citizen-centered public service.
Copyright (c) 2025 DR. BAKARI MUHAMMADU SUKARE, ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK ANALYSIS: UNCOVERING CITIZEN SENTIMENTS IN POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES
The research explores the ability of Natural Language Processing (NLP) to undertake systematic analysis of citizen views on policy delivery. Quantitative-computational study design with qualitative underpinning was utilized, providing room for large-scale computational examination as well as contextual understanding of citizens' voices. Data were gathered from social media, government consultation websites, and online forums, using purposive sampling to identify items of particular applicability to active policies. The text data was subjected to aggressive preprocessing in the form of normalization, tokenization, lemmatization, stop-word removal, and translation of non-English comments. Analytical methods integrated sentiment analysis, topic modelling based on LDA, BER Topic, and supervised classification via conventional machine learning models, as well as cutting-edge transformer-based deep learning models like BERT. Outcomes indicate that citizens were overall satisfied in policy areas like the economy and health, but dissatisfactions were heavily felt in service delivery, infrastructure, and openness of policy. Quantitatively speaking, 42.8% of the comments were positive, 28.7% neutral, and 28.5% negative, and notable themes were service delivery (31%) and openness of policy (24%). Comparative analysis also identified effective alignment of citizens' issues and the government's reactions within economic and health domains, but ineffective alignment within transparency and infrastructure domains. Performance assessment indicated that BERT performed best among other models with a 90.6% F1-score, which accounts for its capacity to identify subtle sentiments from citizens. The findings confirm the significance of NLP as a tool for policy analysis, having the ability to detect inconsistency in policy action and citizen expectations. By combining computational observations with qualitative assessment, this research also highlights the capacity of AI-based feedback analysis to enhance the responsiveness, inclusivity, and transparency of the government.
Copyright (c) 2025 BLESSING NDUBUISI, AKINYELE VICTORIA OLAYINKA, MODUPEOLA WURAOLA FAGBENRO, ADEWUMI SUNDAY ADEPOJU, CONFIDENCE ADIMCHI CHINONYEREM, LUCKY IKECHUKWU NKWOCHA (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AN EXAMINATION OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN NIGERIAN LEGAL PRACTICE UNDER RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Money Laundering has emerged as one of the most significant threats to the integrity of financial and legal systems worldwide. In Nigeria, legal practitioners occupy a unique position as both facilitators of legitimate transactions and potential enablers of illicit financial flows. This paper aims to critically examine the role of legal practitioners in money laundering within Nigerian legal practice, with particular focus on the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023. The objective of the paper is to assess the duties imposes on lawyers in preventing money laundering, evaluate adequacy of existing regulatory and professional frameworks and propose measures for strengthening compliance. Methodologically, this paper adopts a doctrinal approach, relying on both primary and secondary sources (statutory provisions, case law, scholarly writings and comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Canada. The Major findings reveal that while Nigeria has enacted robust anti-money laundering laws, challenges persist including weak enforcement, lack of clarity on the limits of professional privilege and insufficient awareness among practitioners. Thus, the paper recommends clearer professional guidelines, enhanced disciplinary measures by the Nigerian Bar Association, mandatory compliance structures in law firms and adoption of international best practice to ensure that the legal profession upholds its ethical responsibility in combating money laundering.
Copyright (c) 2025 OMONIYI BUKOLA AKINOLA, TAIWO SHAKIRAH ISHOLA-AFOLABI (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE ROLE OF AI IN ENGLISH EDUCATION: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
This paper examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in English Language Teaching (ELT), synthesizing recent scholarship, classroom practices, and policy guidance to map opportunities, challenges, and future directions. We review major AI applications intelligent tutoring, NLP-driven feedback, automated assessment, conversational agents, and speech technologies and show how they enable personalization, real-time formative assessment, and expanded speaking/listening practice while improving accessibility for diverse learners. At the same time, we identify critical risks: over-reliance that can dampen critical thinking and originality; bias and accuracy issues in language models and speech recognition; academic integrity concerns around AI-assisted text; and structural inequities tied to data privacy, infrastructure, and teacher readiness. Two illustrative cases AI feedback in EFL writing and AI support for academic writing demonstrate measurable gains when tools are embedded within transparent, pedagogically aligned frameworks and sustained human guidance. Building on this synthesis, the paper proposes a balanced integration agenda: clear usage policies, curriculum-embedded AI literacy, teacher professional development, equity-oriented infrastructure investments, and ethics-by-design procurement. We argue that AI can augment, not replace, the uniquely human dimensions of ELT empathy, cultural mediation, and dialogic scaffolding when adoption is principled, inclusive, and evidence-informed. The paper concludes with research and policy priorities to guide ethical, scalable, and context-sensitive AI use in English education.
Copyright (c) 2025 LANDI AMOS GIDEON (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACT OF MASS MEDIA DISCLOSURE OF RANSOM ON KIDNAPPING-FOR-RANSOM IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
This empirical study interrogates public perceptions of mass media disclosure of ransoms and its impact on kidnapping-for-ransom in South-South region of Nigeria. The study employed the mixed-method research design: the cross-sectional survey design and content analysis. The population of the study for the survey was 28,153,979 (National Population Commission projected population, 2022) drawn from the six states in the South-South region (Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers) while the content analysis was 6,576 headlines of the six Nigerian daily newspapers - Punch, The Guardian, The Sun, Vanguard, Leadership, and This Day, for 3 years (2022-2024). The study anchored its theories on Framing Theory and Priming Theory to systematically explain the phenomenon. The findings showed that the Nigerian mass media disclosure of ransoms paid by kidnapping victims influenced vulnerable Nigerians to indulge in kidnapping-for-ransom. The study recommends that the federal and state governments in the region should reinforce local security measures, including community policing to check the frequency of kidnappings and implores the Nigerian media to focus on reporting broader security and anti-kidnapping efforts rather than prioritising ransom transactions to avert the negative consequences of luring susceptible Nigerians to the reprehensible crime of kidnapping among other recommendations.
Copyright (c) 2025 KELLY OMOROGIUWA EKHAGUEBOR, EMMANUEL UFUOPHU-BIRI (Ph.D), PATRICK NKEMDILIM IJEH (Ph.D) (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FORENSIC STYLISTIC APPROACHES TO AUTHORSHIP ATTRIBUTION IN EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE
Examination malpractice undermines academic integrity in Nigeria, with impersonation being one of the most difficult forms to detect. This study investigates a case of suspected impersonation at Brilliant Academy School through forensic stylistics. One questioned examination script (QW) was compared with seven known writings (KW1–KW7) using McMenamin’s (2002) framework. Stylistic variables examined included text formatting, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, syntax, discourse organization, lexical choices, and patterns of errors and corrections. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed, with statistical tests such as chi-square and t-tests used to verify the significance of similarities. The analysis revealed overwhelming stylistic congruence between QW and KW3 across multiple variables, including identical text structure, spelling tendencies, and correction patterns. Statistical results confirmed that these similarities were highly unlikely to have occurred by chance, while all other suspects were excluded due to dissimilarities. The study concludes that forensic stylistics provides reliable linguistic evidence for resolving authorship disputes in educational contexts and recommends its integration into institutional frameworks for combating examination malpractice.
Copyright (c) 2025 HAMZA ISMAIL CHIROMA, PROF. LAWAN SHUAIBU (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MIGRATION, IDENTITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF BANDITRY IN NIGERIA: A NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
Various studies in contemporary Nigeria and Africa have frequently highlighted the challenge of the emerging train and the raise of banditry in Nigeria, as well as the overall inadequacy of the policy makers to come up with formidable policies that will check the activities of migration into or outside the country. These structural and institutional shortcomings mostly stem from the porous border-policies of the country, which frequently allows people of criminal tendencies into the country. Migration as one can see forms part of the necessary strategies of allocating global human resources to their highest value. Though benefits and costs of national or cross-border human movement are best conceived differently for distinct affected relevant entities, the fact that some migrants may engage in acts generally classified as "banditry," where it is associated with migration, the consequences may not only be deleterious but also profoundly damaging to the very purpose of why migration is warranted and legitimately sealed as a global practice, unless the phenomenon is properly appraised and policies formulated and sustained to ameliorate and prevent it, and consequently rid it. The study examines the boundary marking policies and procedures of Nigeria, the historical context of migration in Nigeria, the linkages between migration and banditry, the challenges and limitations of the existing policies in Nigeria and recommendation for policy makers in Nigeria This study has worldwide significance on the challenges faced by bandits living on the environs where they are seen as immigrant societies, who are completely posing security traits to the peace, cultural and economic heritage of the indigenes. The study also makes important contributions to discussions on immigrant integration, global dialogues on border demarcations and exclusions, socio-religious and peace building.
Copyright (c) 2025 HABILA P. SWANTA, PhD (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN AI DEVELOPMENT AND USE: DOES THE EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE PROTECTION?
The rapid advancement and pervasive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are fundamentally reshaping economies and societies, yet this technological revolution is creating a global human rights crisis built upon systemic, present-day harms that risk "supercharging" global inequalities. This paper examines the unaddressed human costs embedded throughout the AI lifecycle, arguing that the abstract promises of future benefits are being overshadowed by tangible rights violations. Key issues detailed include labor exploitation in the global supply chain, where a hidden workforce, often in the Global South, performs "psychologically taxing labor" under exploitative conditions such as content moderators paid less than $2 per hour to review traumatic imagery violating fundamental International Labour Organization (ILO) norms. Pervasive privacy infringements occur through the mass scraping of personal data without explicit consent, fueling AI powered mass surveillance systems like integrated facial recognition networks that chill freedom of expression and assembly. Furthermore, AI systems reflect and amplify societal prejudices, leading to systematic algorithmic bias in critical domains like criminal justice (e.g., the COMPAS algorithm) and hiring, which violates the right to equality before the law. The immense computational demands of training large AI models also lead to significant environmental degradation by consuming colossal energy and water resources. Finally, the paper highlights the urgent, unaddressed future threat posed by quantum computing and the resulting "harvest now, decrypt later" strategy, which jeopardizes decades of digital privacy. The analysis assesses whether key European frameworks the EU AI Act and the Council of Europe Convention provide adequate protection, finding they suffer from critical limitations. Neither framework mandates binding provisions to safeguard against global labor exploitation, nor do they contain concrete, enforceable standards for AI's substantial environmental footprint. Most significantly, both are entirely silent on the looming threat of post quantum security risks. The paper concludes by strongly advocating for a fundamental paradigm shift toward the mandatory adoption of "Human Rights by Design," demanding legally binding and globally coherent regulation to embed rights protection, accountability, and independent auditing throughout the entire AI lifecycle.
Copyright (c) 2025 ROWA TAHA, SAM OMOTOSO (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EFFECTS OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS IT RELATES SOCIAL CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
The study examined the effects of ethical leadership on social responsibility with a specific focus on how ethical leadership influences the promotion, implementation, and organizational commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of ethical leadership on the promotion and implementation of CSR initiatives in organizations and to assess the extent to which ethical leadership enhances organizational commitment to social responsibility practices. The study adopted the Stakeholder Theory as its theoretical framework, emphasizing the central role of ethical leadership in aligning organizational goals with societal expectations. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from 80 respondents across selected ECOWAS institutions through structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, which revealed a strong and significant relationship between ethical leadership and CSR implementation (r = 0.941, p < 0.05), as well as between ethical leadership and organizational commitment to social responsibility (r = 0.928, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that ethical leadership substantially promotes CSR practices and strengthens organizational dedication to social responsibility objectives. The study concludes that ethical leadership is a vital driver of effective CSR initiatives and sustainable organizational practices within ECOWAS. It recommends leadership development programs emphasizing ethics, institutionalization of CSR policies, stakeholder engagement, and periodic evaluation of CSR activities. The research contributes to theory by reaffirming the relevance of Stakeholder Theory in understanding ethical governance, to empirical knowledge by providing evidence from the West African context, and to practice by offering actionable strategies for improving ethical and socially responsible leadership in regional organizations.
Copyright (c) 2025 OLUKOYE OLU-IBUKUN, PROFESSOR MICHAEL IKUPOLATI, ONUCHE, MICHAEL LAWRENCE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
OPERATION OF COLONIAL INDIRECT RULE POLICY AND POLITICAL-SOCIAL VICES IN NIGERIA
The colonial policy of indirect rule in Nigeria was a system of administration through which the British governed by utilizing indigenous rulers as intermediaries rule over the colony. The system was developed and popularized by Lord Frederick Lugard in the early 20th century. The system aimed at reducing the cost of colonial governance, maintaining law and order, and ensuring effective control with minimal British personnel. This research is set to assess the colonial indirect rule in Nigeria. The research is qualitative in nature sourcing information from the journal papers, textbooks and internet materials. Data was analyzed thematically and textual analysis is also utilized. The research revolves around the era of the pre-colonial Nigerian society, colonial, indirect rule system and post Nigerian colonial society. From the research findings, it was deduced that, centralized emirate structures already existed in the Northern and Western Nigeria which make indirect rule relatively successful, as it blended easily with the pre-colonial Islamic administrative system. However, in the South, particularly among the decentralized Igbo communities, the policy faced major challenges. The imposition of warrant chiefs and the distortion of traditional governance, exemplified by the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929. Indirect rule, therefore, represented both an instrument of colonial convenience and a source of political and social tension. Its legacy remains significant in shaping Nigeria’s administrative framework, local governance, and post-colonial state formation. Finally, the research recommends that, policy makers with the public domains should always consider indigenous values, culture and systems when designing development policies to avert the Abia Women’s Riot of 1929 on the imposition of tax.
Copyright (c) 2025 DONALD SABASTINE GOJI, WAMBE MAIKASUWA, KIGBU YUSUF OMBOGUTSA (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE INFLUENCE OF OVERPROTECTIVE PARENTING STYLES ON CHILDHOOD COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Parenting styles portrayed with overprotection, such as plastic wrap, bubble wrap, helicoptering, and velcro parenting, have garnered increasing attention for their potential impact on childhood cognitive development. This position paper argues that these parenting styles, while spurred by a desire to safeguard children, may inadvertently hinder maximum cognitive growth by stunting children's exposure to challenges, autonomy, and opportunities for life-realities. This paper asserts that a balance between protection and autonomy-granting is critical for fostering childhood cognitive development. The implications of plastic wrap, bubble wrap, helicoptering, and velcro parenting styles for cognitive outcomes are discussed, stating the need for parenting approaches that promote children's engagement with challenges and support childhood cognitive development.
Copyright (c) 2025 ESTHER CHINEDU WORDU (PhD) (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ECO-LINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON GLOBALIZATION AND INCLUSIVENESS IN THE NATURE POEMS OF REMI RAJI AND NIYI OSUNDARE
This paper applies an eco-linguistic framework to explore how the nature poems of Remi Raji and Niyi Osundare reflect the impact of globalization on linguistic diversity, cultural identity and social inclusion. Through a critical analysis of poems like Osundare’s “The Forest” and Raji’s “Ecology of Remembrance”, this study reveals how these, poets employ ecological metaphors, imagery and language to resist linguistic homogenization, cultural erasure, and environmental degradation. Environmental degradation has been found to have a link with a language use. The attention of the reading audience was first drawn to these anomalies by the nature poets who were alarmed by the obvious danger posed to natural environment as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Similar studies of many nature poets, (e.g.Tanure Ojaide and Christopher Okigbo) have researched on the different ways our natural environments are being endangered. However, no known literary/academic submission seems to have taken into account the eco-linguistic analysis of the havoc being done to our natural environments as a result of the degrading use of language and destructive human activities. This paper therefore examines how Niyi Osundare inter-textually connects with Rerni Raji’s poetic vision of environmental sustainability and how their literary works initiate an environmental dialogue which is subsumed in the United Nation’s Seventeen goals of global sustainability. This paper highlights the ways in which Osundare’s and Raji’s poetry promotes linguistic diversity, cultural inclusiveness and ecological sustainability, offering a de-colonial perspective on Globalization and its effects on local cultures and languages. In addition, it contributes to our understanding of the role of eco-linguistics in literary studies and the importance of nature poetry in promoting linguistic diversity and cultural inclusiveness in a globalized world. Furthermore, it is believed that this paper will enhance environmental preservation, global sustainability and peaceful coexistence of human being and his natural environment.
Copyright (c) 2025 AKINOLA OLAYODE JOHNSON, PROF. MOSHOOD ZAKARIYAH (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, FCT, ABUJA
Effective Police command entails making strategic or communication choices that ordinarily require deep reflection and thoughtfulness of multiple socio-political and environmental factors prior to deployment.. This is particularly evident with regards to managing different forms and levels of crimes within social settings. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force in managing security challenges remains a subject of debate and scrutiny. The effectiveness of the NPF in security management has been hampered by a myriad of internal and external challenges, including inadequate communication between Police leadership and subordinates, Resources, Limited training and capacity-building, Politicization, and Corruption. The key issue in this research is to evaluate how Effective Communication in strategic leadership affects security management performance in Nigerian Police Force, Abuja, F.C.T. While specific objective is to ascertain the relationship between decision making in Strategic leadership and the security management performance in the Nigeria Police Force, F.C.T. Abuja. A research methodology of survey research design was adopted through the use of questionnaire. Data was obtained from the respondents who are officers of the Nigeria police force. The sample size being the subset of the population was determined using the formula of Taro Yamane to obtain the targeted population for the NPF in FCT. A calculated sample size of 399.947847 was arrived approximately 400, with 0.05 error level. Data was collected and analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) Version 23. In examining the effect of Effective Communication by leadership on security management performance in Nigeria Police Force, Abuja, the study revealed that the police leadership, their team and residents work well together when trying to solve security problems, through sharing crime information with residents. By so doing, residents create satisfaction through the partnership they have with the police. In conclusion, there is significant relationship between Effective Communication in strategic leadership and the security management performance in the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja, F.C.T. This implies that collaboration as in communication in strategic leadership is efficient and brings the subordinates close to the police Leaders in other to secure the environment.
Copyright (c) 2025 UDUAK OTU ITA, PROFESSOR MICHAEL IKUPOLATI, ONUCHE, MICHAEL LAWRENCE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ACTIVITIES OF THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP IN NIGERIA (2016 – PRESENT)
Since joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2016, Nigeria has made substantial progress in strengthening transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, and the use of technology in governance. This paper reviews the major activities and achievements of the OGP in Nigeria from 2016 to the present, structured under its four thematic pillars: Transparency, Accountability, Citizen Participation, and Technology/Innovation. By analyzing each pillar in the context of Nigeria’s three completed National Action Plans and the ongoing development of the fourth, the paper illustrates how the OGP framework has helped in expanding civic space and improve service delivery. The study also highlights Nigeria’s efforts to co-create local solutions to local governance challenges through inclusive reforms and policy innovations. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of sustaining these gains in order to institutionalize good governance across all levels of government.
Copyright (c) 2025 GLORIA KUDI AHMED, PROF. SUMAILA ABDULGANIYU FEMI, ONUCHE, MICHAEL LAWRENCE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSMENT OF FACILITATOR’S COMMITMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION IN AGENCY FOR MASS LITERACY, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA
This study Assess Facilitators’ Commitment and job satisfaction in Agency for Mass Literacy in Borno State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives which are: level of commitment of facilitators, level of satisfaction of facilitators. Two research questions, the instrument for the study was self-developed questionnaire tagged Assessment of Facilitators’ Commitment and job satisfaction in Agency for Mass Literacy (ASFCS). Survey design was used for this study. The population for this study is 234 facilitators. The Data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, mean, percentage and standard deviation. The findings shows that 68.80% of respondents strongly agree (VHE) that the most important things in life involve work, with 9.40% agreeing to a high extent (HE), with a mean value of 3.32, showing a very high extent of job commitment. While job satisfaction is high, with 71.79% of respondents feeling that their level of responsibility is acceptable to a very high extent (VHE), leading to a mean of 3.52, indicating a very high satisfaction level. 43.16% feel that the major source of satisfaction in their life comes from their job (VHE), with 41.03% agreeing to a high extent (HE), yielding a mean of 3.21. Recommendations: there is need to develop structured reward systems that acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of facilitators. Government should implement regular surveys to assess job satisfaction levels among facilitators, and to create support structures, such as mentorship programs or peer support groups, to help facilitators deal with challenge.
Copyright (c) 2025 DR. MWADA DADI NGGADA (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NATURE OF CONFLICT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NIGERIA
Conflict is as old as human existence, and can be in various forms, such as ethnic, religious, national, and regional, among others. This study examines the nature, causes and implications of conflict, analysing its impact on national stability and evaluating the effectiveness of existing conflict resolution strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including thematic analysis of qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions, the research identifies key themes: the multifaceted nature of conflicts (ethnic, religious and resource-based), their detrimental effects on social cohesion and development and the challenges hindering peacebuilding, such as corruption, weak governance and socioeconomic inequalities. The Ife-Modakeke crisis, which is an ethnic conflict in nature is driven by land disputes and ethnic tensions, highlights the potential of traditional mediation and community-based approaches, though unresolved grievances indicate the conflict is managed rather than fully resolved. The study critiques the limitations of military interventions and uniform resolution strategies, advocating for context-specific frameworks, empowered traditional mediation and addressing root causes like land ownership and inequality. Findings suggest that sustainable peace in Nigeria requires tailored, inclusive and equitable strategies. The research contributes to the literature on conflict resolution by re-evaluating democratic systems’ shortcomings and proposing alternative peacebuilding mechanisms, offering practical insights for stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force and informing policy for lasting peace.
Copyright (c) 2025 SARAFADEEN USMAN, ADEBOLA A. ALADE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEGOTIATING AUTONOMY: THE ROLE OF CULTURE, RELIGION, AND GENDER IN FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PRACTICES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a deeply entrenched practice in Northern Nigeria, shaped by complex intersections of culture, religion, and gendered expectations. Despite legal prohibitions and advocacy campaigns, the practice persists, often justified through communal ideals of purity, marriageability, and morality. This study investigates how women in Northern Nigeria negotiate autonomy in contexts where FGM remains a cultural and religious norm. Drawing on qualitative interviews with women across diverse communities, the research highlights how women resist, reinterpret, and sometimes accommodate cultural pressures. Findings reveal that women strategically navigate communal belonging, religious discourses, and bodily rights, illustrating agency within constraints. The study contributes to feminist and postcolonial debates by reframing women not only as victims of patriarchal systems but also as active agents in negotiating their embodied lives.
Copyright (c) 2025 ISLAMIATU SEYI AWOGBEMI (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
REASSESSING THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY AS A MECHANISM FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
The provisions relating to Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) remain controversial. The controversies stem primarily from section 6(6)(c) of the constitution regarding non-justiciability, which has rendered the realization of these lofty fundamental objectives a fantasy. This article thoroughly examines Chapter 2 provisions and concludes that if made justiciable, they can serve as a veritable tool and platform for achieving national transformation and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study examines key terms relating to fundamental objectives and directives of state policy, critically analyzes various sections within the chapter, juxtaposes Nigeria's fundamental objectives with other jurisdictions, and provides observations and recommendations for making these provisions justiciable and effective as mechanisms for national development.
Copyright (c) 2025 SAM OMOTOSO, DAVID OMOTOSO (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GUNS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND HUMAN LIVES: COMPARATIVE LESSONS FROM NIGERIA AND THE UNITED STATES
This article recognizes the duty of the United States to safeguard its citizens from the harm caused by gun violence using the right to life framework. It considers statistics on gun violence, including homicide rates, mass shootings, suicide rates, and accidental homicides, while also highlighting the urgency of the problem. The article aims to identify and examine the human rights impacted by gun violence in the United States, with more emphasis on the right to life. By analyzing federal legislative enactments, key Supreme Court decisions, and international human rights frameworks, it demonstrates how the prevalence of gun violence infringes upon fundamental rights such as the right to life, security, equality, freedom of religion, freedom from discrimination and freedom of expression. Through a comparative analysis with other countries that have successfully regulated private gun ownership, the article highlights the limitations and challenges of current U.S. laws and policies. It calls for a unified approach by all three branches of government to effectively address and mitigate gun violence, emphasizing that the failure to do so constitutes a continuous breach of the citizens' right to life and other essential human rights.
Copyright (c) 2025 SAM OMOTOSO (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AD-HOC SECURITY INITIATIVES IN AFRICA: AN EXAMINATION OF AFRICAN REGIONAL RESPONSES TO TRANSNATIONAL SECURITY THREATS
This study examines the emergence, evolution, and operational dynamics of Ad-hoc Security Initiatives (ASIs) as innovative, regionally driven mechanisms for addressing Africa’s evolving security threats. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, the study relies primarily on secondary sources, including scholarly literature, policy documents, and official reports from the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs). It applies the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) to explore how ASIs such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin, the G5 Sahel Joint Force, and the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA) reflect the realities of transnational threats, regional interdependence, and sovereignty concerns. The analysis highlights the operational flexibility and rapid deployment capacity that distinguish ASIs from traditional peacekeeping and peace support operations, while also interrogating their structural limitations, including unstable funding, limited civilian integration, and human rights concerns. Furthermore, the study evaluates the implications of ASIs for the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), particularly the risks of institutional fragmentation and the challenges of integrating parallel security mechanisms into a coherent continental framework. It concludes that while ASIs have demonstrated their utility as agile, context-specific responses to violent extremism, insurgency, and organized crime, their long-term contribution to sustainable peace will depend on deliberate integration strategies, enhanced accountability mechanisms, and the incorporation of multidimensional stabilization components. By situating ASIs within both the theoretical lens of RSCT and the practical realities of Africa’s security governance, the study contributes to the discourse on adaptive African-led responses to complex and borderless security challenges.
Copyright (c) 2025 OLUYEMI, OPEOLUWA ADISA (PhD), ALFA, INNOCENT PATRICK (PhD), AYODEJI, IDOWU JOSHUA (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE IMPACTS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN POLITICS OF NIGERIA PLURALISTIC SOCIETY
Religion manifests in various aspects of life in Nigeria, however, what is interesting is the fact that the connection between religion and politics has always been incontestable; people have the tendency to politicized religion and religionize politics. The Nigerian people are no exception. Religion has taken a position of importance in the country’s politics. And this is understandable as Nigeria is vast with religious diversities which are intertwined with political activities in the country. Religious organizations have never pretended not to be interested in the affairs of the country as they are, in many ways, involved in the political activities. One of such ways is prayers that are offered for leaders and the country as an entity. These prayers are both solicited and unsolicited. The paper focus on the impacts of religious leaders in politics of Nigeria pluralistic society with aims to elaborate on biblical background of religious leaders and politics, religious leaders and politics in the Qur’an, the political challenges in contemporary Nigeria pluralistic society, choosing or election of leaders, factions and disunity, bribery and corruption, roles of religious leaders in Nigeria politics. Further suggested ways for religious leaders as a guide to natured religions adherents as follows: religious leaders should deliberately reach out to current politician to draw them to God and challenge them to submit themselves to the transforming power of God for righteousness, religious leaders should begin to groom young politicians who show potential and calling for politics, religious leaders need to enthrone righteousness and bring God-fearing people to the throne, politics is ordained by God, a call and gift to religions, therefore, members should be trained, discipline, encourage and raise to be good and righteous politicians, religious leaders should discourage political votes buying during elections, and religious leaders should always pray for and with politicians so that they may have a courage and boldness to stand for politics of righteousness.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
USE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) IN CRIME DETECTION BY THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF) IN POTISKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA
The Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer-based system for capturing, managing, mapping, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data, which is spatially referenced to the earth. It is an important tool for crime management, especially in crime detection by the Police. Thus, this study assessed its application by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Potiskum L.G.A with the specific objective: to examine the impact of the GIS application in crime management in the study area. Routine Activities and Defensible Space theories were reviewed and adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The study utilized Availability Random Sampling and Purposive Sampling techniques to collect primary data. Meanwhile, the study adopted the Krejcie and Morgan formula for determining sample size for infinite population. Therefore, questionnaires were administered to 155 respondents to collect quantitative data and Key Informant Interviews (KII) conducted with 10 participants from the two Police Divisions, A&B in Potiskum L.G.A to collect qualitative data and complement the quantitative type. Findings of the study revealed that the application of GIS is accepted and has a higher satisfaction rate than the traditional methods of crime detection in the study area. Moreover, based on these findings, the following policy options were recommended: legislation and policy should be passed by the government mandating the use of GIS in security organisations for crime management in the state and even neighboring states and Nigeria in general. Also, there is the need of more GIS experts in the Police organization and other sister agencies. In addition, there is the need for more GIS tools/technological gadget in the security organizations (especially the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for effective crime management, and also to be trained on GIS professionalism frequently in order to increase their security capacity and effectiveness and provide them with new technological know-how for crime management. There is also the need for sufficient funding, which will enhance the GIS experts’ productivity as expected.
Copyright (c) 2025 ABDULKARIM UMAR MUHAMMAD, AHMAD ALIYU, Ph.D., PROF. MUSTAPHA DANJUMA HUSSAIN (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING THE PATTERNS, CHALLENGES, AND DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD WATER SOURCE UTILIZATION IN MANGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
This study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate the sources, distribution, seasonal variability, and socio-economic implications of household water access in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 420 households were surveyed across six purposively selected communities using stratified random sampling. The study also included 12 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Quantitative findings reveal that boreholes serve as the dominant water source (35.71%), followed by hand-dug wells (28.57%) and streams (20.24%). Ownership analysis shows that 64.28% of water sources are publicly or community managed. Seasonal comparison highlights a shift in reliance from streams and wells in the wet season to boreholes and vendors in the dry season, with boreholes scoring highest in reliability (4.5/5). A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant relationship between distance to water sources and time spent collecting water (p < 0.01), where 64.3% of households travel between 0.5 and 2 km, spending up to 45 minutes per trip. Chi-square analysis (χ² = 22.4, p < 0.001) confirmed significant disparities in water access across communities. Additionally, correlation analysis (r = 0.78) between perceived safety and drinking preference indicates that safety perceptions strongly influence water source choice. These insights underscore the urgent need for sustainable water infrastructure and equitable distribution strategies to improve health, reduce gendered time burdens, and support rural livelihoods.
THE WAGNER GROUP AND THE EVOLVING SECURITY LANDSCAPE IN AFRICA: GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND STRATEGIC CONCERNS
This study critically examines the Wagner Group’s expanding role in Africa and its implications for regional security, governance, and geopolitical alignment. As a Russian-linked private military company (PMC), the Wagner Group has become a central instrument in the Kremlin's hybrid warfare strategy, offering military support, political influence, and economic exploitation in exchange for access to natural resources and strategic footholds. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, relying primarily on secondary sources including academic literature, policy reports, and investigative journalism. It applies Hybrid Warfare Theory as the central analytical framework to explore how Wagner’s activities in countries such as Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, and Libya blur the lines between state and non-state actors, peacekeeping and destabilization, and partnership and coercion. The findings suggest that Wagner’s operations undermine democratic institutions, exacerbate human rights abuses, erode national sovereignty, and disrupt regional security cooperation. Furthermore, the group's entwinement with Russian foreign policy doctrines such as the Gerasimov and Primakov strategies underscores a deliberate shift in global power dynamics aimed at countering Western influence. The study concludes that addressing Wagner’s impact requires a long-term commitment to strengthening African institutions, enhancing international accountability mechanisms, and fostering resilient, locally owned security structures.
Copyright (c) 2025 OLUYEMI, OPEOLUWA ADISA (PhD), ASSOC. PROF. DR. SAIT AKŞIT (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ELECTION OBSERVATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN NIGERIA
Electoral integrity remains vital to democratic consolidation, particularly in transitional contexts like Nigeria. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the country’s electoral process has been marred by irregularities, violence, voter suppression, and eroding public confidence in electoral institutions. This study investigates how election observation and citizen participation contribute to electoral transparency and democratic governance. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative surveys of 450 voters with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews involving 15 key stakeholders, including Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, civil society actors, and election observers. The research was carried out in three purposively selected Local Government Areas of Kano State - Kano Municipal, Dala, and Nassarawa. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, interviews, and document reviews, while analysis employed SPSS for quantitative findings and thematic content analysis for qualitative evidence. The findings indicate that 75% of respondents engaged in electoral activities, though only 11.3% had attended structured voter education programs. Civic education showed a strong positive correlation with voter turnout, making participation more meaningful. The correlation coefficient r = 0.67 indicates a strong positive relationship between civic education participation and voter turnout. About 84.4% were aware of election observers, with 67.4% acknowledging their role in enhancing credibility. However, only 21.3% rated elections as highly credible, while 58% considered them moderately credible, influenced by result timeliness, security, and INEC’s neutrality. The results indicate that credible election observation, domestic and international significantly improves electoral transparency, deters malpractice, and increases public confidence in electoral outcomes. The study concludes that election observation and public participation are essential yet insufficient on their own. Their effectiveness depends on broader systemic reforms, including strengthened electoral laws, institutional capacity building for INEC, and protection of political freedoms. This study contributes to ongoing academic and policy debates by offering practical insights into the conditions necessary for participatory and transparent electoral governance in Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2025 PROF. MOHAMMED MUSTAPHA NAMADI, DR. HASSAN YERIMA (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PARTY STRUCTURES AND WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN NIGERIA’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (1999–2023)
This study investigates how political party structures in Nigeria have influenced women’s representation in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2023. Employing a descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates structured questionnaires and document analysis to examine nomination processes, internal democracy, and cultural constraints within parties. A sample of 398 respondents from Abuja’s political and academic institutions, including National Assembly members, INEC officials, civil society organizations, and academicians was drawn using Yamane’s formula and proportional sampling. Findings reveal systemic gender biases embedded in opaque nomination processes, financial exclusions, weak party reforms, and enduring patriarchal ideologies. These constraints, often reinforced by cultural and religious norms, continue to suppress women’s access to political leadership. The study underscores the limitations of symbolic affirmative action and ineffective party reforms. Drawing from institutional theory and global experiences, the research advocates enforceable gender quotas, comprehensive internal party reforms, and socio-cultural reorientation as critical steps toward gender-inclusive governance in Nigeria.
RECONCEPTUALIZING TRESSPASS TO LAND AS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE: A DOCTRINAL REVIEW OF THE EDO STATE PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION LAW 2021
The rights to property is a fundamental aspect of Nigerian law, protected by both common law and statutory provisions. One of the most common violation of this rights is land grabbing, which has become a persistent challenge in many states in Nigeria, particularly Edo State, prompting legislative response by the enactment of the Edo State Private Property Protection Law (PPP Law), 2021. This study provides an assessment of the effectiveness of the Law in curbing the menace through an in depth analysis of its provisions, its enforcement mechanisms, and its alignment with national legal standards in protecting private property rights and fostering a secure environment for economic growth. Although the PPP Law represents a vital legislative effort to protect property rights in the State, its full potential remains hindered by legal and institutional framework weaknesses, and lack of public awareness of its provisions. On these issues, this study underscores the necessity for a more robust enforcement mechanism, increase public sensitization, and improve judicial processes to safeguard property ownership right in the state, and ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens.
A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF ENDURANCE AND GENDERED EXPECTATIONS IN YORUBA MARITAL DISCOURSE
Certain social functions are accomplished with language and that is why it serves as a means of transferring people’s culture from one generation to the another. The Yoruba people are well renowned for having a robust oral tradition and cultural inheritance, particularly with regard to the use of proverbs. This paper therefore explores how Yoruba proverbs are used to buttress gendered expectations of female endurance and perseverance in marriage. The study analyzes ten proverbs as key discursive tools in marital socialization. Through the lens of pragmatics, particularly Speech Act Theory, the study reveals how these proverbs prescribe silence, suffering, and submission as normative behaviors for women. The analysis highlights how these linguistic constructions naturalize patriarchy, marginalize female agency, and perpetuate emotional and physical vulnerability in the guise of cultural wisdom. The paper calls for critical engagement with such linguistic practices to promote gender justice and challenge cultural norms that sustain gender inequality.
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
This research proposal explores the profound influence of social media on political movements and its implications for contemporary society. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for communication, mobilization, and information dissemination among individuals with shared political interests. The study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Qualitative methods will be used to gather insights from participants in political movements who have extensively utilized social media, while quantitative analysis will be used to analyze large-scale datasets encompassing social media content, user interactions, and network structures. The research will also explore the potential positive and negative consequences of social media on political movements. It will explore how social media platforms have provided marginalized voices with a platform for expression and mobilization, enabling grassroots movements and organizing protests and demonstrations. However, it will also examine the challenges posed by misinformation, filter bubbles, and echo chambers, which may contribute to political polarization and erosion of trust in democratic processes. The anticipated outcomes include an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms through which social media shapes political movements and identify best practices for utilizing social media platforms for constructive political engagement. The findings will inform policymakers, activists, and platform developers in their efforts to navigate the complex landscape of social media and its impact on political discourse.
A PRAGMATIC STYLISTIC STUDY OF SELECTED ENDBADGOVERNACE PROTEST CAPTIONS ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA
Within the context of the EndBadGovernance protests, this study investigates the ways in which language was utilised in social media captions in order to successfully express messages and gain support. In reaction to pervasive corruption, inadequate governance, and socio-economic difficulties, the EndBadGovernance movement was launched, and it has gained a large amount of attention on the internet. This research takes a pragmatic approach to the investigation of the ways in which protesters utilise language to carry out speech actions, establish implicit meanings, and build cohesiveness. The research includes an examination of a wide range of captions that were gathered from important social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The collection of these captions took place during the height of the demonstrations. In light of the data, it appears that confrontational and directive speech acts were the most prevalent. These speech acts were mostly utilised to critique measures taken by the government and to motivate collective efforts. Furthermore, the purposeful use of rhetorical strategies with these captions, such as metaphors, hashtags, and repetition, showed the persuasive influence that these captions have in influencing public conversation and establishing a feeling of urgency. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper comprehension of digital activism by illuminating the significant position that language plays in online protest movements. This is especially meaningful in situations when traditional avenues of protest may be restricted. In this article, the ramifications of these findings are evaluated in connection to the larger influence that social media activism has on governance and public policy. This analysis provides policymakers, activists, and researchers with significant insights.