The Nigerian Journal of Business and Social Sciences

Historical Outlook of the Hamas-Israeli War: Lessons for Nigeria

Arnold Onyekachi David Okoro — 2025-03-24

The existence of conflict within or between nations is as old as time. Conflicts sometimes take the form of disagreements that lead to boycotts or confrontations, such as declared wars. The Israeli War with Palestine is one notorious situation that has remained adamant and unrelenting. In contemporary times, the Palestinian Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah (Hamas)–Israeli war has continued to attract international attention from both individual nations and committees of nations. The history of wars between Israel and its neighbours has remained an interesting study that is neither a tribal nor ethnic-based conflict, but that of legitimate survival and territorial occupation. The interventions by the United Nations (UN) have led to several suggested solutions, such as the creation of two separate states joined economically or the formation of a single binational state. The acceptance of these solutions has remained a mirage that has lingered to date. The Palestinian Hamas–Israeli war leaves a lot of lessons for Nigeria, whose boundaries are shared with four francophone nations. Supposing a similar conventional war erupts between Nigeria and one or an alliance of these francophone nations, would Nigeria be able to contain the aggression just as is the case with the Palestinian Hamas–Israeli experience? It is viewed, therefore, that there is a need for Nigeria to revamp her intelligence network system, rejig her foreign policy content, enlighten the civil society on the need to be vigilant, begin to robustly equip her armed forces as necessary, and heighten her border security with her Francophone neighbours.

Workforce planning and access to higher education in Nigeria: The missing links

Akeem Ayofe Akinwale — 2025-03-24

Since the 1960s, successive Nigerian governments have focused on improving workforce planning and access to higher education as key drivers of national development. However, the national workforce planning policies do not align with access to higher education in Nigeria. This article examined the gaps between workforce planning and access to higher education in Nigeria. The study’s data were drawn from a thematic review of relevant literature and a theoretical framework comprising social stratification and human capital theories. Evidence from the literature indicates that the Nigerian government has shown significant interest in promoting workforce planning for national development by establishing the National Manpower Board and higher education institutions. Unfortunately, the objectives of the National Manpower Board remain largely unachieved. At the same time, the higher education institutions primarily operate in isolation from labour market demands, leaving many graduates unemployed or underemployed in Nigeria. The Nigerian government should ensure that the National Manpower Board fulfils its mandates. In addition, all applicants to higher education institutions in Nigeria should choose courses that align with their talents and reflect an understanding of labour market demands.

Oil price, exchange rate fluctuations, and poverty rate in Nigeria

Gabriel Olusegun Oduyemi — 2025-03-24

The necessity to determine who benefits from growth and to determine the populace’s perception of their quality of life underscores the urgency of moving beyond GDP metrics. The overarching objective is to comprehensively evaluate the impact of oil price and exchange rate fluctuations on the pursuit of decreasing the poverty rate in an oil-exporting country, focusing on Nigeria from 1987 to 2023. Time-series data are sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin. Philips-Perron unit root tests indicate that the variables are integrated in a different order. The results of the co-integration test show that there is no long-run connection between pump prices for gasoline, oil rents, exchange rates, inflation rates, and the poverty gap in Nigeria. The results revealed that the official exchange rate and oil rents exert an insignificant positive effect on the poverty gap in the short run. Also, the inflation rate had a negative and significant impact on the poverty gap. Furthermore, the pump price for gasoline exerts an insignificant adverse effect on the poverty gap. Based on these findings, this study recommends that policymakers should prioritize stability in economic variables, diversify the economy, and implement targeted poverty alleviation measures. These actions can reduce poverty and foster economic resilience in Nigeria. Also, policies should focus on diversifying the economy away from oil dependence while ensuring oil revenues are effectively invested in poverty-alleviation programs, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. As gasoline prices have an insignificant adverse effect on the poverty gap, subsidy reforms should be carefully designed to redirect resources toward social safety nets that more directly benefit people experiencing poverty.

Oil of Poverty, Environmental Degradation and Crisis in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Idongesit Eshiet — 2025-03-24

The Niger Delta is the oil-rich region of Nigeria and exploration of oil started in the region in 1958. Oil, although a natural resource, is like a double-edged sword – with the potential to ‘bless’ or ‘curse’ a nation so endowed, depending on its management. Good or bad management of oil resources has developmental implications for the environment, lives, and livelihoods of the people in the oil-producing areas. Studies have documented the negative impact of oil exploration on the Niger Delta region over the years. In response, some steps have been taken by the government to address the situation. Given this, there is a need for present studies to assess the situation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of oil exploration on the environment, lives and livelihoods of the people of the Niger Delta region. The study location was Rivers State which was purposely selected among the nine oil-producing states of the Niger Delta region for being the most volatile. In-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDS) were used to gather qualitative data from participants. In-depth interviews were administered to 9 males and nine females, ages 18 years and above, randomly selected from the most volatile oil communities. Equally, 6 FGDS were held with two homogeneous groups of males and females, respectively. Each group was comprised of eight participants who were drawn from various segments of the communities - youths, religious leaders, market leaders, family heads, etc.- who were aged 18 years and above. Responses were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded using the NVivo 12 software analytical tool. Coding was done based on predetermined themes deductively drawn from the study aim, including oil exploration and environmental degradation, oil exploration and poverty, and oil exploration and crisis. Findings revealed the negative impact of oil on the environment, lives, and livelihoods. Oil exploration has resulted in environmental degradation such as pollution, contamination of water bodies, loss of aquatic life, and destruction of farmlands. These have resulted in the loss of livelihoods, thus culminating in unemployment and poverty amid enormous oil wealth. Similarly, findings revealed that the inequities created by the mismanagement of oil wealth have resulted in anger, which is expressed through constant conflicts within and between communities, between communities and oil companies, and among armed groups, oil companies, and security forces. The study concludes that the various steps taken by the Nigerian government to make oil resources a ‘blessing’ rather than a ‘curse’ to the Niger Delta region have not yielded the desired result. The study recommends that poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement infrastructures and programs should be made available to the people by the government and oil companies as a matter of urgency to ease the pains of daily living in the region.

Perception of tourists on air transportation service qualities and performance in Nigeria

Femi Ola Aiyegbajeje — 2025-03-24

Air transport plays a vital role in the tourism industry, and understanding tourists’ perceptions of its influence is crucial for tourism development. This study seeks to investigate tourists’ perceptions of air transport and tourism performance, using Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, Nigeria, as a case study. The study surveyed 289 tourists using purposeful sampling techniques and analyzed the collected data using Stata for both descriptive and inferential statistics. We used frequencies, tables, charts, mean, and standard deviation to describe the data, and employed the stepwise multiple regression model to explain tourists' perceptions of tourism performance. The result shows that tourists perceive air transport as a significant factor influencing their overall travel experience and tourism performance. Key aspects of air transport influencing tourism activities include convenience, accessibility, frequency, reliability, cost-effectiveness, comfort, and speed. The study identifies reducing delays and cancellations, enhancing airport facilities, and improving ground transportation options. These findings have implications for airport transport management, airlines, and tourism stakeholders seeking to enhance the tourism experience and promote destination competitiveness.

Risk Factors and Health Status Predictors of Older Persons During COVID-19 in Selected Slums of Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State

Rachel Otu — 2025-03-24

Investigating risk factors and health status predictors of older persons during COVID-19 is critical for understanding and responding to future sudden pandemics. The aim is to understand the socio-demographic characteristics influencing the vulnerability of older individuals to COVID-19 in selected slums, analyze the associated responses, and identify risk factors and health status predictors exacerbating their susceptibility during the sudden pandemic. Through a comprehensive assessment of existing health challenges, comorbidities, coping strategies, and environmental conditions, the research elucidates the multifaceted nature of COVID-19 on older persons in slums. A survey research design was employed, which involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. One hundred thirty older persons aged 60 years and above were extracted from 754 household heads engaged in a larger survey. Findings reveal that the calculated p-value (<0.01) is less than the given significance level (α=0.05). This suggests that health status predictors such as aging, poor health, inadequate environmental conditions, societal neglect, poor government intervention, low income, poverty, and lockdown measures significantly contributed to the adverse effects experienced by older persons during COVID-19 in the selected slums. Despite these challenges, older persons exhibited resilience and employed various coping mechanisms to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, including addressing boredom, ill health, social isolation, hunger, and information gaps. The study underscores the importance of government and social support in enabling older persons in slums to withstand adverse social and economic conditions, such as pandemics. By bridging the gap between current realities and desired outcomes, this research informs interventions to promote health equity, urban renewal, and regeneration efforts for older persons in slum environments.

Household waste disposal attitude and perception of flood risk in Somolu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Adebola Oluwatimilehin Daramola — 2025-03-24

Urban flooding is a perennial problem in Lagos state, Nigeria, given its location by the coastline, improper drainage and waste management, and a rapid rate of urbanization. Practices of open waste dumping into drainages in higher elevation areas increase flood risk downslope. The study thus analyzed residents’ perception of flood risk and household waste disposal in Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State, to further understand the situation of waste in the area as well as the relationship between flooding and waste disposal practices along varying degrees of elevation. Spatial and non-spatial data sources were utilized via field measurements using GPS and a social survey, where the questionnaire was administered to 200 respondents. The findings reveal that the elevation of the area varied from 2m to 20m above sea level. Generally, waste is collected mainly in waste baskets. It is disposed of in waste trucks and public bins, with a few respondents alluding to disposing of it in drainage and on roadsides. Public bins were used mainly in high-elevation areas, facilitating a higher rate of disposal than those in the mid and low elevations, which rely mainly on the waste vans. Only about 35% of the respondents experienced frequent flooding in their streets, the majority blaming it on the dumping of refuse in unsanctioned places. Increased efficiency by waste van operators, proper maintenance of public bins, and adoption of more flood-resilient management strategies, especially in the lowlands, were recommended.

Influence of collective memory and historical victimhood on ethnic and national identities

Wakil Ajibola Asekun — 2025-03-24

Collective memory, which is a group’s shared representation of its past, has been considered a force that can potentially shape a group’s identity. However, previous studies focused more on negative memories of the historical past; this necessitates conducting a study that examines both negative and positive memories of the historical past. The present study, therefore, examined how collective memories (positive and negative) influence ethnic and national identification. It also examined whether victim beliefs can predict collective action intention. The study was conducted among 635 participants who were selected from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria through an online survey using a snowball sampling technique. Path Model Analysis was adopted to test the stated hypotheses. The result indicates that negative collective memory is related to the construction of both ethnic and national identities. Victim belief was found to be a predictor of collective action intention. The study discussed how identification tendencies impact in-group and out-group relations positively and negatively in a pluralistic society.

“Onyabo", Madanwo, and "Amotekun": Urban People’s Interpretation of Community Policing and Internal Security Management in Lagos State.

Waziri Adisa — 2025-03-24

Cult killings, urban violence, and political unrest have become some of the major trademarks of Lagos, a rapidly growing West African megacity with an estimated population of over 20 million. At least if anything has changed in the management of public safety and security of Lagos, we have seen incremental deployment of the police to Lagos and additional support to the Nigeria Police Force. However, the crime problem persists in some of the dark spots of the state. For instance, between 2016 and 2017, a deadly cult group, Badoo, killed and injured people in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, spreading the fear that ritualists had invaded the city of Lagos. This study investigates young people's interpretation of community policing in Lagos and the symbolic use of "Madanwo" and "Onyaabo" in deterring criminals. The study adopts the General Deterrence Theory and Symbolic Interactionism to drive home the issue. Using the qualitative method of social research covering Lagos Island, Mushin, Ikorodu, Oworoshoki, and Eti-Osa to sample a total of 30 participants for the In-depth and Key Informant Interviews, the study found that it is really not the use of the names that scared criminals and offenders of the law but the determination to get criminals punished for the offences. In Oworoshoki, the study found that people have come to believe in the "Madanwo Community Police" because they have helped cleanse the community of cultism and cult killing that made the community unsafe in the past. In the Ikorodu area of Lagos, community leaders held that the use of the names provided additional impetus to what the government is capable of doing when culprits or offenders of the law are apprehended. In the Eti-Osa area of Lagos, people believe that the crime rate has drastically reduced now that community vigilantes are involved in the security of the community, compared to when members of the Nigerian Police Force were solely involved in the management of the internal security of the community. Though the code names are increasingly accepted across Lagos, some people feared that the corruption, lack of sincerity, and public trust that incapacitated the Nigeria Police Force in combating crime may turn out to hinder the growth and sustainability of the existing community policing security networks in Lagos State.