Direct Research Journal of Social Science and Educational Studies
Direct Research Journal of Social Science and Educational Studies (DRJSSES) (ISSN: 2449-0806) is an international peer-reviewed and open-access journal that is now accepting manuscripts for publication. Manuscripts will be published immediately as the final galley proof if approved by the journal Editor. The journal is being published by Direct Research Journals Publisher via our website, www.directresearchpublisher.org. ARTICLE PROCESSING COST = 655USD FOR AUTHOR OTHER COUNTRIES OR 75000 NAIRA FOR NIGERIA. AUTHORS CAN APPLY FOR PARTIAL WAIVER TO THE JOURNAL EDITORIAL AT editorialoffice@directresearchpublisher.org Manuscripts should be submitted online to the Editorial Office at https://journals.directresearchpublisher.org/index.php/drjsses/about/submissions or by email to editor@directresearchpublisher.org
AI-Generated Feedback in Secondary EFL Writing: A Scoping Review of an Emerging Evidence Base
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has become increasingly prominent in second language writing instruction, yet empirical research on AI-generated written corrective feedback among secondary-school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) learners remains limited. This scoping review mapped the available empirical evidence on AI-generated feedback and AI-generated text in secondary and middle-school EFL/ESL writing. The review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The review employed a Population–Concept–Context framework, focusing on secondary and middle-school EFL/ESL learners, AI-generated written corrective feedback and related automated writing support, and formal secondary or middle-school writing instruction. Searches were conducted iteratively in June 2026 using a general academic web-search tool, and potentially relevant sources were screened and verified against their original publications. A single reviewer conducted the search, screening, and verification. Two studies met the eligibility and verification criteria: Ekizoğlu and Demir (2025), involving 60 Turkish secondary-school students, and Woo et al. (2025), involving 59 Hong Kong secondary-school students across seven schools. No formal quality appraisal or risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. Data were charted according to country and educational context, sample characteristics, research design, AI intervention or tool, comparison condition, outcome measures, and principal findings, and synthesized descriptively in relation to three research questions concerning writing accuracy and revision, learner engagement, and methodological and contextual gaps. The findings showed that AI-generated feedback was associated with significantly greater gains in overall writing performance, particularly grammar, vocabulary, and coherence, in the Turkish study, while 87% of students in the experimental group reported increased confidence in their writing. In the Hong Kong study, composition length was the strongest predictor of writing quality, while the relationship between AI-generated text use and writing performance varied according to academic banding. Among lower-banded students, attempts to revise AI-generated text were sometimes associated with lower composition scores. Overall, the evidence indicates that the benefits of AI-generated feedback at the secondary level are uneven and appear to vary according to learner proficiency, academic context, and patterns of engagement with AI-generated material. The review identifies a small and methodologically heterogeneous evidence base concentrated in only two national contexts and highlights the need for further research to establish the conditions under which AI-generated feedback may support secondary-school EFL/ESL writing development.
Dietary Patterns, Weight Perception and Lifestyle Behaviors among Adolescents in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
Adolescence, defined as the period between 10 and 19 years of age, represents a critical stage of growth and development during which adequate nutrition is essential for optimal physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health. This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns and nutritional status of adolescents attending public and private secondary schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State, Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 adolescents selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric measurements, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0. Most respondents were aged 13–15 years (44.9%) and female (52.1%). Dietary practices were characterized by frequent breakfast skipping, with 19.0% skipping breakfast almost daily and 23.3% doing so three to four times weekly, mainly because of insufficient time in the morning (28.3%). Frequent consumption of energy-dense snacks was observed, with 25.8% consuming snacks more than once daily, while 32.8% consumed starchy staples such as Garri five to six times weekly. Sedentary behavior was also common, with 16.8% reporting no day of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per week and 59.4% spending three or more hours daily on recreational screen time. Although 47.4% perceived their body weight as normal, 31.6% perceived themselves as overweight or obese compared with 21.1% who perceived themselves as underweight. No statistically significant association was observed between father's educational level and breakfast skipping (χ² = 20.58, df = 18, p = 0.301) or between sex and weight-control practices (χ² = 5.75, df = 5, p = 0.331). The findings indicate that unhealthy dietary practices and sedentary lifestyles are common among adolescents in the study area and underscore the need for comprehensive school-based nutrition education, promotion of regular physical activity, and strengthened school nutrition policies to encourage healthier dietary behaviors.
Knowing the Content, Missing the Practice: Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Primary Teachers in Two-Dimensional Creative Arts in Asante Akim-North, Ghana
Creative Arts is perceived to be a powerful vehicle to develop learners' creativity‚ cultural identity‚ visual literacy, and critical thinking․ However‚ in Ghana‚ little research has been conducted into the Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) of primary school teachers who teach the two-dimensional Creative Arts and how they enact their subject matter knowledge. To reduce this‚ the study examined primary school teachers' PCK in teaching 2D Creative Arts in the Asante Akim-North Municipality of Ghana․ Specifically‚ teachers' knowledge‚ practices‚ self-efficacy‚ and context in teaching Creative Arts were examined using the convergent parallel mixed-methods design approach‚ which involves the collection of quantitative and qualitative data concurrently․ The study used a sample of 275‚ made up of 7 headteachers‚ 13 Creative Arts teachers and 255 Basic Six pupils․ The instruments for data collection were questionnaire‚ semi-structured interview‚ classroom observation and Creative Arts Performance Test․ Quantitative study variables were analyzed using frequencies‚ percentages‚ means and standard deviations․ Qualitative data were analyzed thematically․ The results indicate that teachers' PCK was moderately developed‚ the highest being content knowledge (M = 3․62‚ SD = 1․42) and the lowest being pedagogical strategies (M = 1․85‚ SD = 0․69) and cultural relevance (M = 1․33‚ SD = 0․49)․ Teachers reported confidence teaching two-dimensional Creative Arts․ However‚ classroom observations indicated limitations at teaching from a learner-centered‚ practical and culturally responsive approach․ Headteachers cited inadequate teachers' PCK‚ lack of instructional materials and lack of professional development opportunities as challenges obstructing quality of Creative Arts instruction․ To promote quality Creative Arts instruction‚ there is a need to improve teachers' PCK through in-service training‚ provision of teaching resources‚ instructional supervision and adoption of local cultural materials․
Recidivism as a Major Cause of Criminal Subculture in Nigerian Correctional Centers: A Study of Aba Maximum Correctional Center
Recidivism has become a persistent challenge that undermines the rehabilitative mandate of Nigerian correctional centers by facilitating the development and perpetuation of criminal subcultures. This study examined recidivism as a major driver of criminal subculture in the Aba Maximum Correctional Center, Nigeria. Guided by Edmund Husserl's phenomenological perspective, the study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research design. Twenty correctional officers were purposively selected from a population of 38 officers. The participants comprised 15 (75%) males and 5 (25%) females; 17 (85%) were married, while 10 (50%) were aged 31–40 years. Half of the participants had between 6 and 10 years of correctional service, and administrative staff constituted the largest occupational category (40%). Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. To ensure data credibility, interview transcripts were systematically verified through written-audio reconciliation prior to analysis, correcting transcription inconsistencies and ensuring fidelity to participants' accounts. The validated data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. The findings revealed that repeated incarceration normalizes criminal lifestyles through the transfer of criminal skills, deviant socialization, and the reinforcement of informal prison hierarchies. Recidivists were found to mentor newly admitted inmates, control illicit prison economies, and strengthen criminal identities within the correctional environment. Inadequate post-release support, unemployment, community rejection, and societal stigmatization further increased the likelihood of repeated offending, while overcrowding and resource scarcity encouraged dependence on inmate subcultures for protection and access to limited resources. The study concludes that recidivism functions as a structural mechanism through which criminal subcultures are reproduced and sustained within Nigerian correctional centers. It recommends comprehensive rehabilitation programmers, improved custodial conditions, reduced overcrowding, strengthened post-release reintegration services, and community-based support initiatives to reduce recidivism and disrupt the transmission of criminal subcultures.
Copyright (c) 2026 Direct Research Journal of Social Science and Educational Studies
Blended Learning in African Higher Education Language Classrooms: An Evidence Synthesis
Blended learning has become an important instructional approach in higher education; however, evidence regarding its application in African higher education language classrooms remains fragmented and has not been comprehensively synthesised. This systematic review examined empirical evidence on blended learning in African higher education, with particular emphasis on English language teaching and learning, through the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020), literature was systematically retrieved from major international databases and regional sources using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies were critically appraised and synthesised through thematic narrative analysis. The review identified a growing but limited body of evidence from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa employing qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and quasi-experimental designs. Overall, blended learning was consistently associated with improved learner engagement, communicative competence, academic performance, collaborative learning, and learner autonomy. Teaching presence emerged as the most influential factor supporting successful implementation, while social and cognitive presence were strengthened through structured interaction, collaborative learning activities, and technology-supported instruction. Nevertheless, persistent barriers including unreliable internet connectivity, inadequate digital infrastructure, limited institutional support, and insufficient professional development—continue to constrain effective implementation across many African universities. The review further reveals that although African studies report educational outcomes comparable with international findings, few explicitly apply or measure the Community of Inquiry constructs using validated instruments. Consequently, interpretations of teaching, social, and cognitive presence remain largely inferential. The review concludes that blended learning offers significant potential to strengthen language education in African higher education when supported by context-sensitive instructional design, institutional investment, and coherent educational policy. Future research should adopt longitudinal, multi-country, and theory-driven approaches that explicitly examine Community of Inquiry constructs within African educational contexts.
Africa, Blended learning; higher education; English language teaching; Community of Inquiry
Pension Reform Act 2014 and Challenges of Pension Administration in Nigeria (2014-2022)
This study examined Pension Reform Act 2014 and the challenges of pension administration in Nigeria (2014-2022). The pension issues have received much attention in many countries over the past few decades. Indeed, pension funds are now among the most important institutional investments in capital markets. It is therefore not surprising that pension has increasingly attracted the attention of policy makers in many countries in recent times. The federal government-initiated pension reforms through the Pension Reforms Act 2004 which was a dramatic departure from the previous pension scheme in the country since independence in 1960. However, after 9 years of its existence or operation in the country, the pension reform was repealed and replaced with the new Pension Reforms Act on 1 July 2014 arising by its condemnations and cynicisms by the workers and retirees. After 9 years of the operation of the Act, this paper, therefore, aimed at criticizing the PRA 2014 vis-à-vis its provisions and implementation. To facilitate the study, primary and secondary sources of data collection were adopted. The theoretical framework for this study is the general system theory as propounded by Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy. The findings of the study showed that there are gaps and loopholes in the Pension Reforms Act, 2014 and its implementation which negatively altered the noble objectives of the reforms, thereby failed the yearning expectations of workers and retirees. The study concluded that Pension Reform Act 2014, if well implemented, would unarguably serve as a leveraging platform to transforming the welfare of the Nigerian worker and other stakeholders/beneficiaries. The study, therefore, recommended the need for further review and amendment of the provisions in the Pension Reforms Act, 2014 by the nation’s National Assembly. There is also a need for sincere political will by the three tiers of government in Nigeria, and holistic synergy among the stakeholders to nurture the scheme to an enviable world Standard.
State Capacity and Health Justice: Evaluating the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria
The relationship between state capacity and health justice remains insufficiently theorised despite its central importance to the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in developing democracies. Existing scholarship has largely examined health justice through normative theories of rights, equity, and distributive justice or evaluated health insurance reforms from administrative and health systems perspectives, with limited integration between these traditions. This article addresses this conceptual gap by developing the Capacity–Justice Nexus, an interdisciplinary analytical framework that integrates normative theories of health justice with contemporary state capacity theory to explain how institutional capability shapes the realization of equitable healthcare. Using the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EdoHIS) in Nigeria as a qualitative case study, the article draws on Michael Mann's concept of infrastructural power alongside the state-capacity perspectives of Peter Evans and Francis Fukuyama, while adopting Venkatapuram's capability approach as its normative benchmark. The analysis examines four interrelated dimensions of institutional capacity—infrastructural reach, administrative coordination, financial sustainability, and informal sector inclusion to evaluate the extent to which EdoHIS translates legal entitlements into substantive healthcare access. The findings demonstrate that although EdoHIS has achieved significant progress through provider expansion, equity-focused financing, increased enrolment, and administrative innovation, persistent weaknesses in territorial penetration, bureaucratic coordination, digital infrastructure, fiscal sustainability, and informal-sector integration continue to constrain the realization of health justice. The study argues that these limitations are better understood as manifestations of constrained state capacity rather than failures of policy design alone. The article advances the theoretical proposition that state capacity is not merely an implementation variable but a constitutive condition of health justice because legal rights become largely symbolic where governments lack the institutional capability to implement them effectively. The Capacity–Justice Nexus therefore contributes a novel framework for analysing health governance in federal developing democracies and provides policy guidance for strengthening subnational health insurance systems through sustained investment in administrative, fiscal, governance, and service-delivery capacities as prerequisites for achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EdoHIS)
The Moral Architecture of Public Service: Justice, Legitimacy, and Conflict in a Nigerian Teaching Service Commission
Organizational justice has increasingly been recognized as a critical determinant of institutional legitimacy and effective conflict management within public sector organizations, yet empirical evidence from African public bureaucracies remains limited. This study examines the moral architecture of public service by investigating the interrelationships among organizational justice, institutional legitimacy, and organizational conflict within a Nigerian Teaching Service Commission. Anchored in Rawls' Theory of Justice and Social Contract Theory, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence to provide both empirical and normative insights. Quantitative data were collected from 387 valid respondents selected through proportionate stratified random sampling, while qualitative evidence was generated through 20 semi-structured interviews with purposively selected Commission officials, teachers, and union representatives. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's framework, with findings integrated through an explanation-building strategy. The results revealed generally low perceptions of organizational justice (M = 2.74) and institutional legitimacy (M = 2.64), with procedural justice recording the lowest mean score (M = 2.58). Promotion delays (80.6%) and unfair staff postings (73.9%) emerged as the principal sources of organizational conflict. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between organizational justice and institutional legitimacy (r = 0.741, p < .01) and a significant negative relationship between organizational justice and organizational conflict (r = –0.693, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that organizational justice explained 68.4% of the variance in institutional legitimacy (R² = 0.684, p < .001), with procedural justice constituting the strongest predictor (β = 0.386, p < .001). Qualitative findings corroborated these results by revealing widespread perceptions of promotion inequity, procedural opacity, declining institutional trust, and strong demands for merit-based governance. The study concludes that organizational conflict is fundamentally rooted in deficits of organizational justice rather than administrative inefficiency alone and argues that restoring institutional legitimacy requires embedding justice, transparency, and accountability as the normative foundations of public administration.
Social Media Monetization, Developmental Concerns and Media Literacy in Nigeria
The information landscape has shifted to the online environment, where Internet applications like the social media have overtaken almost all of human engagement. Going forward, the owners of social media platforms offer financial rewards for intensive follower engagement and activity across their various outlets. This trend has increasingly encouraged monetization, which is driving different classes of individuals in society to strive towards reaping the financial incentives available on the various social media platforms. As such, there is hardly any dimension of life that is not dramatized and showcased on social media platforms. Although the monetization created opportunities, unfortunately, the manner in which youths and even adults are pursuing it has raised serious developmental concerns in terms of diverse online behaviour that are at variance with societal values, norms, and culture. These concerns include moral decadence, cyberbullying, addiction and alienation, eating disorders, unrealistic lifestyles, the menace of fake news and misinformation, and the like. No doubt that these issues will continue as long as social media thrives; however, moderation could be actualized by enabling individuals in the society to acquire media literacy skills for accessing, evaluating, and appropriately responding to issues in the social media space. Thus, using the technological determinism theory, this work explored social media monetization and associated developmental concerns, alongside the case for media literacy education as a rescue channel for different levels of individuals in diverse sectors of society.
Social Media and Electoral Education of the Electorate in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Background: Social media has emerged as a major platform for electoral communication, voter education, and democratic participation by enabling rapid and interactive dissemination of election-related information. Despite its increasing use during Nigeria's 2023 general elections, empirical evidence on its contribution to electoral education at the local government level remains limited. This study examined the influence of social media on the electoral education of the electorate in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Objectives: The study assessed voters' exposure to social media election-related information, examined the role of social media in electoral education, identified the challenges associated with its use, determined the frequency of receiving electoral information through social media, and investigated its influence on voter turnout and political decision-making. Methodology: A survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised 70,923 registered voters in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. Using Philip Meyer's sample size determination table, 384 respondents were selected through purposive sampling, while 380 valid questionnaires (98.9%) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, specifically frequencies and percentages. Results: The findings revealed that 71.5% of respondents were highly exposed to social media electoral education messages, with WhatsApp (25.0%) and Facebook (22.4%) being the most frequently used platforms. Social media influenced political decision-making among 73.7% of respondents, while 68.5% rated its influence on electoral awareness as influential or very influential. Network fluctuations (35.5%) and inadequate electricity supply (32.0%) were the major challenges, although 53.0% considered these constraints minimal. The results shows that 68.4% received election-related information often or very often through social media, 73.7% reported alternative information sources, and 80.2% perceived social media as having a high or very high influence on voter turnout. 53.0% indicated that social media positively influenced their political decisions. Conclusion: Social media is an effective instrument for electoral education, enhancing voter awareness, informed political decision-making, and democratic participation despite existing infrastructural challenges. Significance: The findings provide evidence for strengthening digital voter education strategies by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and civil society organizations, while contributing to scholarship on digital political communication and electoral behaviour in Nigeria.
Social media; electoral education; voter education; political communication; voter turnout; democratic participation; Nigeria
An Examination of the Nigerian Government’s Influence on Military Deployments in West Africa: Implications for Regional Security and Stability
This study investigates the influence of Nigeria’s military deployments on regional security and stability in West Africa, with emphasis on its leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). A descriptive survey design was adopted, using a stratified random sampling approach to select 400 respondents from military barracks in Edo State. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), and regression analysis with SPSS version 20. Results show that Nigeria plays a significant leadership role in ECOWAS security initiatives (grand mean = 3.81), strengthens regional security institutions (grand mean = 3.69), and influences bilateral relations and geopolitical dynamics in West Africa (grand mean = 3.47). Respondents highlighted that Nigeria’s military engagements enhance peacekeeping credibility, counterterrorism cooperation, and regional trust, though they occasionally generate diplomatic tensions. Key challenges identified include logistical constraints, inadequate equipment, financial limitations, and political instability (grand mean = 3.57). Correlation analysis confirmed strong positive relationships between Nigeria’s role and regional security initiatives (r = 0.923, p < 0.05), military engagements and regional security architecture (r = 0.830, p < 0.05), deployments and bilateral relations (r = 0.898, p < 0.05), and operational challenges with regional stability (r = 0.887, p < 0.05). The findings imply that while Nigeria remains a central actor in West African security governance, its effectiveness is constrained by structural and operational challenges. Addressing these limitations through enhanced funding, improved logistics, and stronger regional cooperation is critical to sustaining Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping and stability in West Africa.
Nigeria; ECOWAS; African Union; Military deployments; Regional security; Peacekeeping; Bilateral relations; West Africa
The Vicissitude of Awaiting Trial Prisoners in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System
The study investigated the phenomenon of awaiting trial detainees in Nigeria as a systemic problem with implications for prison management, criminal subculture formation, socio-economic inequality, and judicial delays. The research adopted descriptive survey design with the help of four objectives. The research was carried out in three different correctional facilities which include Kuje, Port Harcourt and Agodi. The data were collected by the questionnaires filled in by 353 respondents and interviews with the prison staff and justice professionals. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and thematic interpretation. The results revealed that firstly the detainees awaiting trial placed a heavy burden on the resources of correctional facilities. Second, criminal networks and subcultures spread due to overcrowding. Thirdly, the judiciary is inefficient causing prolonged detention. Fourth, people’s socio-economic disadvantage limits their access to bail and fair representation. The study concludes that the practice of incarcerating people on remand is not just a slip but a problem that pervades the entire Nigerian criminal justice system. Among the suggestions were the establishment of organised remand management, the legitimisation of some alternative measures for the institution of decongestion, the implementation of case management reforms and the increase of the legal aid fund to address systemic injustices.
Awaiting trial prisoners, Overcrowding, delayed trial, Criminal Justice System, Criminal Subculture, System-level theory, Differential Association Theory, Nigeria
Artificial Intelligence in Sri Lanka’s Legal System: Adoption Barriers and Policy Pathways
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping legal systems worldwide by improving legal research, document review, and case forecasting. In Sri Lanka, where Roman-Dutch law, English common law, and customary law coexist, the legal profession continues to face structural challenges, including heavy case backlogs, limited access to justice, and uneven technological capacity. This study provides the first large-scale, Sri Lanka-focused empirical investigation of AI adoption among legal practitioners, applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Resource-Based View (RBV), and Task-Technology Fit (TTF) framework to a hybrid developing-country legal context. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 1,500 legal practitioners between September 2024 and February 2025. The study applied quantitative methods (chi-square tests and correlation analysis) alongside qualitative thematic coding. The findings show moderate AI awareness (63.6%) but relatively low adoption (36.3%). AI usage was significantly higher among urban and corporate lawyers (72%) compared with rural and criminal law practitioners (28%). The main barriers to adoption were inadequate infrastructure (45%) and resistance to change (32%). The study identifies practical policy pathways, including infrastructure subsidies, professional training, and regulatory frameworks, to reduce the urban-rural adoption gap and support ethical AI integration. By situating Sri Lanka within the wider debate on legal digital transformation, the findings offer useful insights for other developing legal systems facing similar institutional and technological constraints.
Artificial Intelligence, Legal Practice, Sri Lanka, Legal Technology, Digital Transformation, Ethical Frameworks
Forced Migration and the Nigeria Experience: Navigating Crisis and Resilience
Forced migration has emerged as one of the most pressing humanitarian and development challenges confronting Nigeria in the twenty-first century. This study critically examines the historical evolution, drivers, impacts, and response mechanisms associated with forced migration in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on conflict-induced displacement, environmental degradation, and socioeconomic instability. The study adopts a systematic literature review methodology guided by the PRISMA framework to synthesize multidisciplinary evidence from peer-reviewed journals, institutional reports, policy documents, and international development publications. A total of 120 records were identified through database searches, of which 45 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. The findings reveal that forced migration in Nigeria is driven by interconnected structural and proximate factors, including armed conflicts, ethno-religious violence, climate change, desertification, oil-related environmental degradation, poverty, governance failures, and economic instability. The Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt, and ecological destruction in the Niger Delta were identified as major displacement triggers, collectively contributing to millions of internally displaced persons across the country. The study further demonstrates that forced migration generates multidimensional consequences, including livelihood loss, food insecurity, social disintegration, educational disruption, health crises, and severe psychological trauma among displaced populations. The review also highlights the limitations of existing institutional and policy responses, including weak implementation frameworks, inadequate coordination among stakeholders, funding constraints, and insufficient inclusion of displaced populations in decision-making processes. Despite these challenges, community-based resilience mechanisms, civil society interventions, informal support systems, and international humanitarian efforts have contributed significantly to coping, adaptation, and recovery among affected populations. The study concludes that forced migration in Nigeria is not merely a humanitarian issue but a multidimensional governance and development challenge deeply rooted in historical inequalities, environmental vulnerabilities, and institutional fragility. It recommends the adoption of integrated policy frameworks that combine conflict prevention, climate adaptation, socioeconomic development, humanitarian protection, and community-centered resilience strategies. The study contributes to migration scholarship by providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of forced migration dynamics in Nigeria while offering policy-relevant insights for sustainable displacement management and national development.
Learning Styles and Academic Performance among College of Education Students in North Central, Nigeria: A Correlational Study
This study investigated the impact of learning styles on the academic performance of National Certificate in Education (NCE) students in Colleges of Education across North Central Nigeria. A descriptive correlational design was employed with data collected from a stratified random sample of 200 students using a structured VARK-based questionnaire and CGPA records. Findings revealed that the dominant preferences were multimodal (65%) and kinesthetic (20%). Pearson’s correlation and ANOVA analyses established a statistically significant relationship between learning styles and performance. Specifically, kinesthetic (r=0.42, p<0.01) and read/write (r=0.38, p<0.01) learners achieved significantly higher mean GPAs (3.42 and 3.35, respectively) than auditory (2.85) and visual (2.91) learners. The results indicate a systemic pedagogical mismatch, where the curriculum and text-heavy assessments favor kinesthetic and read/write modalities, disadvantaging auditory and visual learners. The study concludes that integrating multimodal teaching strategies is crucial for equitable academic outcomes. Recommendations include lecturer training in differentiated instruction and institutionalizing learning style awareness in teacher education programmes.
Learning Styles, Academic Performance, VARK Model, Teacher Education, Pedagogical Mismatch
Indigenous Historiography and Clan Authority in Izzi (Izhi) Abakaliki, Nigeria: An Analytic Auto ethnographic Study
Memory remains a central medium through which many African communities construct and transmit history, not as a static record of the past but as a living practice that shapes identity, regulates belonging, and authorizes claims about land, kinship, and moral order. In Izzi communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, history emerges through the interaction of memory, clan authority, and oral performance. This article examines how memory becomes history in Izzi social life, how clan institutions authorize and contest historical narratives, how insider positionality shapes interpretation and ethical responsibility, and how contemporary pressures such as schooling, migration, Christianity, and digital circulation reshape transmission. Methodologically, the study integrates analytic auto ethnography with oral history interviews, conversational elicitation, and observation in funerals, meetings, naming rights, and dispute contexts. Fieldwork was conducted in Ebonyi State across study centres in Abakaliki LGA, Ebonyi LGA, and Izzi LGA over 30 days, scheduled three days per week, and engaged 80 participants (50 male and 30 female) aged 50 to 90 years. Findings show that historical credibility in Izzi contexts is produced relationally through who speaks, where speech occurs, which genres are permitted, and how correction is exercised. Genealogies and land narratives operate as instruments of social governance, while ritual speech and proverbs transmit moral history. The article argues that analytic auto ethnography, when paired with triangulation and ethical restraint, provides a rigorous approach for studying indigenous historical systems while clarifying how clan authority functions as an epistemic structure of history.
Impact of Organizational Frustration on Innovative Work Behavior among Lecturers of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria
This study investigated the impact of organizational frustration on the innovative Work Behaviour (WB) of lecturers of tertiary institutions in Niger State. The study was guided by three (3) objectives and three (3) research questions. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population for this study was 1977 made up of all the lecturers of tertiary institutions in Niger State. The sample size for the study was 322. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select three tertiary institutions from the three senatorial zones in Niger State. From each of the three senatorial zones, one tertiary institution was randomly selected for this study using simple random sampling technique. The instrument used was a researcher developed questionnaire titled ‘Impact of Organizational Frustration on Innovative Work Behaviour of Lecturers Questionnaire (IOFIWBLQ). Two experts from Educational Psychology and Special Education departments of Umaru Sanda Ahmadu College of Education, Minna respectively validated the instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.89 was obtained. The questionnaire items were 15 in number generated based on the research questions which guided the study. The questionnaire items were assigned a four (4) point rating scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). The acceptance point for item was 2.50 and above, any mean score below 2.50 was considered not too influential and as negative. The data collected was analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation. The study revealed that organizational frustration negatively affected innovative work behaviour of lecturers due to overwhelming workload, lack of resources and conflict between their role expectations, also, ineffective communication channel, excessive rules, regulations or procedures are some of the factors that contribute to organizational frustration which have far reaching impact on lecturers work behaviour. It therefore, recommended creating a supportive work environment that values professional growth for workers in tertiary institutions especially Niger state -owned tertiary institutions and increase funding for all tertiary institutions in Niger state to improve productivity and increase quality education.
Impacts of Language Proficiency on Economic Activities
Language proficiency plays a crucial role in economic activities, such as securing a good job and establishing a business network at both national and international levels. The objective of this study is to analyze the proficiency of languages like Nepali and English in economic opportunities such as better obs, establishing business networks, and access to higher education. The study employed quantitative data and utilized a descriptive research design. The perceptions of the respondents related to the proficiency of the dominant languages like Nepali and English, and its effects on economic activities was analyzed. A five-point Likert scale, Strongly Disagree (SD), Disagree (D), Neutral (N), Agree (A), and Strongly Agree (SA), was used to collect the perception of the respondents about the relationship between proficiency of the dominant languages and its ‘impacts on economic activities. Primary data were gathered from Kathmandu valley, the capital city of Nepal.100 respondents were randomly selected as respondents. Respondents' views are summarized in tables with percentages, mean values, and standard deviations. From the data analysis, it is found that the majority of respondents agreed that proficiency in dominant languages like Nepali and English influenced the economic activities, such as facilitating business networking, enabling national and international migration, and improving access to employment and higher education in Nepal. In the context of Nepal, proficiency in dominant languages enhances economic activities and helps to reduce poverty through improving access to education, fostering business connections, and supporting mobility. The government should design language policies by focusing on economic factors rather than only the cultural aspect. The implications of this study brings new insight into language issues in Nepal that will be useful to ensure economic prosperity through language proficiency.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainable Development (SD): A Systematic Review of Opportunities and Risks across SDGS 8, 10, and 12
This study critically examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development (SD) by exploring the extent to which sustainable development initiatives, especially SDGs 8, 10, and 12, remain “sustainable” in the context of the growing emergence of AI technologies. Specifically, the study identifies the various ways in which AI applications can contribute to promoting sustainable development initiatives, while also examining the potential risks through which AI may undermine the achievement of SD objectives. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based on a systematic review of recent scholarly literature on AI and SD. A total of 64 peer-reviewed articles were selected and analyzed for the study after screening and exclusion processes from the initial 136 identified database search. The screening process followed defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, including: i) relevance to AI and SD, ii) publications within the last ten years to ensure currency; iii) publications in peer-reviewed journals and reputable academic sources like WoS articles; and availability of full-text articles in English; thereby excluding sources that were duplicated, non-scholarly, or not directly related to research objectives. To ensure comprehensive coverage of relevant studies, structured keyword-based strategy was used such as, "artificial intelligence", "AI governance", "Digital inequality", "SDGs 8,10, and 12", "sustainable development", etc. Data sources also included relevant information gathered from books and credible Internet materials. The findings reveal that AI has significant potential to support sustainable development through provisions of powerful tools that can promote sustainable development. At the same time, the research equally reveals critical challenges associated with AI that could pose risks to sustainable development, including high energy consumption, environmental impacts of data centers, labor market disruptions caused by automation, digital inequalities between developed and developing countries, and ethical concerns related to algorithmic bias and governance. The study concludes that, the relationship between AI and SD is characterized by both opportunities and risks, only through responsible governance, ethical regulatory frameworks, and the development of environmentally sustainable AI infrastructure can AI truly support SD. Without these safeguards, the rapid growth of AI technologies may undermine the core principles of sustainability. Thus, the paper recommends: governments and technological companies should promote sustainable AI infrastructure; there should be international regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible deployment of AI technologies; inter alia.
Branding Elements and Gastronomic Identity in 3–5 Star Hotels in Greater Accra, Ghana
This study examines the impact of branding dimensions on gastronomic identity in 3-5-star hotels in Greater Accra, Ghana. While the application of local dishes as strategic branding tools in hotels is recognized as a potential growth avenue, there is a lack of empirical evidence about the systematic application of branding dimensions in hotel brands in developing countries. This study examines the joint impact of branding dimensions on gastronomic identity. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted with 20 hotels, 20 hotel managers, 10 officials of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and 384 hotel guests (358 usable responses). Cochran's formula was used to determine the guest sample size at 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error. Multiple regression was used in the data analysis. The results showed that branding dimensions can predict gastronomic identity (R = 0.592; Adjusted R = 0.584; F = 92.13; p < 0.001). While sustainability (=1.421, p<0.001), uniqueness (=1.342, p<0.001), and authenticity (=0.848, p<0.001) had positive and significant effects, exotic appeal had a negative and significant effect (=0.707, p<0.001). This means that 90% of hotels have applied local indigenous signature dishes in their branding strategy. This study contributes to the hospitality and tourism literature by providing empirical findings from an African perspective and by investigating the relative significance of branding dimensions in defining gastronomic identity. This study will have practical implications for managers seeking to leverage indigenous cuisine as a powerful competitive branding tool.
Study of Socio-economic Status of Farmers Management Practices at Selected Dairy Farms
Current data indicated that the population of the cattle in Imo State, Nigeria drastically increased in few years and their contribution in the total milk production was remarkable. Generally, the small and marginal farmer who maintains bulk of the livestock in Imo State, Nigeria are the targeted group in this study. The sector also provided additional employment opportunities to the people in the rural areas especially to the female population who manage the livestock in the household, thereby empowering rural women with livestock in the household, proving as a source of economic empowerment. The present paper studied the type of farm ownership, existing animal pattern on the farm, percentage of animal on different categories on the farm, housing pattern, feeding pattern, breeding pattern, labour pattern, milking pattern, health care pattern and source of water available at the farm as a whole and to the farmer in individual, which plays a vital role in the production of milk and farm management. It was found that the socio-economic status indirectly influence the milk production of the dairy farms.
Socio-economic status, Management practices, Dairy herds, Feeding, Farm labour
The Influence of Digital Media Proliferation on Journalistic Practice and Professional Standards in Delta State
This study examined how digital media proliferation influences journalistic practice and professional standards in Delta State, Nigeria, using a mixed-methods approach and responses from 220 media practitioners. Findings show that 54.55% of journalists reported poor or very poor access to digital tools, while only 7.27% had excellent access. A significant 60% believed digital platforms negatively affected audience reach. Confidence in using digital tools was uneven, with 36.36% lacking confidence. Regression analysis revealed that 92.6% of the variance in journalistic opportunities was explained by challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, low digital literacy, and cybersecurity gaps. Increased competition from non-professionals showed a negative influence (β = −0.506, p < 0.001), while poor infrastructure had the highest positive coefficient (β = 1.010, p < 0.001). These results suggest that digital transformation in journalism is occurring under structural and professional constraints. The study implies that unless these constraints are addressed, digital media will continue to erode journalistic standards and audience trust. It is recommended that media organizations and policymakers invest in digital infrastructure, enhance journalist training in digital literacy and cybersecurity, and implement regulatory frameworks that support ethical digital journalism while mitigating the impact of unregulated content producers.
Digital media, Journalistic practice, Professional standards, Literacy, Delta State
Enhancing Project Performance through Risk Management Practices in Construction Companies in Delta State, Nigeria
This study examines the effect of risk management practices risk identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation on project performance in construction companies in Delta State, Nigeria. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 240 respondents selected through stratified random sampling to ensure proportional representation of project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, and risk officers. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 220 were valid, yielding a 91.7% response rate. Reliability testing confirmed strong internal consistency across constructs (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.85–0.90). Descriptive statistics revealed high mean scores for risk identification (M = 4.12), risk assessment (M = 4.05), risk mitigation (M = 4.15), and project performance (M = 4.08), indicating widespread agreement on the importance of these practices. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong positive associations between risk management practices and project performance (r = 0.66–0.71, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further established that risk identification (β = 0.348, p < 0.001), risk assessment (β = 0.301, p < 0.001), and risk mitigation (β = 0.362, p < 0.001) significantly predict project performance, with risk mitigation exerting the strongest effect. The model explained 63.7% of the variance in project performance (R² = 0.637), underscoring the predictive strength of these practices. The originality of this study lies in its empirical demonstration of the combined and individual effects of risk management practices within the Nigerian construction sector, a context often underrepresented in global project management literature. By integrating statistical evidence with practical insights, the study provides a framework for embedding risk management into project execution, thereby enhancing cost efficiency, timely delivery, quality, and resilience. The findings contribute to both theory and practice by reinforcing the critical role of proactive risk management in sustaining project success and offering actionable recommendations for construction firms to strengthen early identification, adopt robust assessment techniques, and prioritize mitigation strategies.
Lecturers’ Self-Efficacy Dimensions as Predictors of Colleges of Education Effectiveness in Preparing Teachers for Inclusive Education in North-Central Nigeria
Inclusive education has become a global priority, placing increasing demands on teacher education institutions to produce graduates capable of addressing learner diversity. In Nigeria, Colleges of Education play a pivotal role in preparing teachers for inclusive basic education; however, concerns persist regarding their effectiveness in fulfilling this mandate. This study examined lecturers’ self-efficacy dimensions as predictors of the effectiveness of Colleges of Education in preparing teachers for inclusive education in North-Central Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 2,347 lecturers from public Colleges of Education across six states and the Federal Capital Territory. Using stratified and simple random sampling techniques, a sample of 467 lecturers was selected. Data were collected using the Lecturers’ Self-Efficacy Indicators Questionnaire (α = .818) and the Colleges of Education Effectiveness Questionnaire (α = .890). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed at the .05 level of significance. Findings revealed that lecturers’ self-efficacy and institutional effectiveness were both at moderate levels. Regression results indicated that instructional self-efficacy and decision-making efficacy jointly explained 83.2% of the variance in college effectiveness (R² = .832). Instructional self-efficacy emerged as a strong positive predictor, while decision-making efficacy showed a weak but statistically significant negative influence. The study concludes that enhancing lecturers’ instructional confidence through continuous professional development and supportive institutional structures is critical for improving the effectiveness of Colleges of Education in preparing teachers for inclusive education. Policy implications for participatory governance and quality assurance are discussed.
lecturers’ self-efficacy, instructional self-efficacy, decision-making, efficacy, inclusive education
Cultural Diplomacy: Harnessing Nollywood for Nigeria’s Global Influence
Cultural diplomacy has become an increasingly significant instrument in contemporary international relations, enabling states to project influence, shape global perceptions, and foster international cooperation through cultural attraction rather than coercive power. Within this context, Nigeria’s film industry popularly known as Nollywood has emerged as one of the most influential cultural industries in the Global South and a key contributor to Nigeria’s growing soft power presence. This study examines the role of Nollywood as a strategic instrument of cultural diplomacy in enhancing Nigeria’s global influence, improving its international image, and facilitating cross-cultural engagement. Drawing on multidisciplinary literature from international relations, media studies, cultural policy, and creative economy scholarship, the paper analyzes Nollywood’s historical evolution, industrial structure, global circulation, and economic significance within Nigeria’s creative sector. The study demonstrates that since its emergence in the early 1990s as a low-budget direct-to-video film movement, Nollywood has evolved into one of the world’s most prolific film industries, reaching audiences across Africa, Europe, North America, and the global African diaspora. Through its narratives, languages, and visual representations of Nigerian social realities, Nollywood serves as a powerful medium for communicating Nigerian culture, traditions, identities, and values to international audiences. In doing so, the industry contributes to the reframing and rebranding of Nigeria’s international image by offering alternative narratives that challenge persistent global stereotypes of corruption, insecurity, and instability. Beyond its cultural and symbolic influence, Nollywood also plays a significant role in Nigeria’s creative economy by generating employment, stimulating cultural entrepreneurship, and attracting international partnerships. However, structural challenges including piracy, inadequate infrastructure, limited financing, and fragmented policy coordination continue to constrain its diplomatic potential. The paper therefore recommends the development of a comprehensive national cultural diplomacy strategy that integrates Nollywood into Nigeria’s foreign policy framework, strengthens institutional collaboration, and promotes globally resonant storytelling. Such strategic alignment would enable Nollywood to function as a powerful platform for nation branding, economic diplomacy, and intercultural dialogue.
Cultural Diplomacy; Nollywood; Soft Power; Nation Branding; Nigeria’s Global Image; Creative Economy; Public Diplomacy; Film Industry; Cultural Exchange; Global Cultural Influence
Pre-service Teacher Preparedness for Standards-Based Curriculum Implementation in Ghana: Perspectives from Mentors and Teacher Trainees
Ghana has replaced the Objective-Based Curriculum with the Standards-Based Curriculum, which sets explicit standards for teachers’ application of knowledge into practice. In line with this, teacher training institutions have aligned their programs to these standards, but there is no systematic data on whether pre-service teachers are actually prepared to meet these standards, especially in Social Studies, which is a core subject geared towards citizenship education. This study therefore investigated the preparedness of pre-service Social Studies teachers in implementing the Standards-Based Social Studies Curriculum in Ghana (SBC). The study employed explanatory sequential mixed method design which used the outcomes of the qualitative data to clarify and explain the initial quantitative results. All the 206 final year pre-service teachers in the University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba were included (census) in the study. However, 12 practising teachers who mentored these pre-service Social Studies teachers were purposively selected for in-depth interview (after data saturation). Both questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Whilst means and standard deviation were used to analyse and present the quantitative data, thematic and narrative analyses were employed for the qualitative data analysis. All ethical issues outlined by the University of Cape Coast were adhered to in this study. The study revealed that while pre-service teachers were adequately prepared in both content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge, they had moderate level of knowledge in technological pedagogical content knowledge. They were also sceptical about their ability to translate their knowledge into practice in the real classroom situation. It was recommended that pre-service Social Studies teachers’ proficiency and competence in content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge should be developed through continuous professional development programs whilst transiting into the real classrooms. Finally, mentors should be assigned to each of these teachers after successful induction for effective guidance and coaching services. This paper contributes to SBC implementation in Ghana by highlighting that while content and pedagogy preparation is moderate, the technology integration gap poses the biggest threat to achieving the goals of the SBC. By policy implication, addressing this gap requires coordinated policy action in teacher education, and resource provision. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and teacher training institutions should audit pre-service programs to ensure intentional, practice-based training in educational technology, not just theoretical ICT-based literacy.
Analysis of Trends of Natural Rubber prices and overview in Nigeria, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, United States, and Europe
Natural Rubber (NR) is cultivated commercially in Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Cambodia, Singapore etc), Europe, and Africa (Nigeria, Cote d’ Ivoire etc). Due to many factors, investigation has revealed significant imbalances in demand and supply, leading to significant variations in the prices of rubber products among major producing regions in the World. This study was undertaken to collect scarce information on prices of natural rubber and determine the trends in the prices of rubber from year 2001 till date. Secondary data were collected from reputable journals, internet, and reports of international rubber organizations including Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), US Consumer Price Index, Singapore Commodity Exchange (SCOM), International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), as well as literature, and sites related to the research. Primary data were collected from RRIN’s archives, records etc and supplemented the secondary data. Quantitative data were collected on the basis of information available in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, USA, New York, London etc and spanned from 2001 to 2025. The basic data generated and the variables affecting prices of natural rubber across producing regions were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results revealed significant variations in prices of NR within and among the continents under investigation. It can therefore be concluded that price of rubber over the years was dwindled, and thus could discourage farmers from going into rubber farming. The authors therefore recommended that government provides market information and prices of rubber to farmers on a yearly basis. Provision of meteorological data to rubber farmers in the wake of climate change, together with strong leadership in rubber industries, is also recommended. All these will help smallholder farmers to plan ahead and address challenges like price volatility etc.
Study Habits, Time Management, and Academic Performance of First-Year Medical Students in Selected State Universities in Delta State, Nigeria
This study investigated the influence of study habits and time management on the academic performance of first-year medical students in state-owned universities. Specifically, it aimed to determine the effects of study habits, examine the influence of time management practices, assess their joint impact, and identify the extent to which effective learning behaviours predict academic outcomes. A descriptive correlational design was employed, and data were collected from 300 first-year medical students using standardized questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that study habits significantly predicted academic performance (β = 0.34, p < 0.001), as did time management practices (β = 0.38, p < 0.001). Together, these variables explained 38% of the variance in academic performance, demonstrating a substantial joint effect. Positive correlations between study habits, time management, and academic outcomes highlight the critical role of structured learning routines and effective time allocation in enhancing student performance. The study concludes that first-year medical students’ academic success is strongly influenced by their ability to manage time efficiently and engage in effective study behaviours. It recommends the integration of study skills and time management training into first-year curricula, mentorship and counselling support, and institutional policies that foster structured learning environments and continuous academic monitoring. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the application of Self-Regulated Learning Theory and Time Management Theory in a medical education context within emerging economies. The findings offer practical insights for educators, curriculum planners, and policymakers seeking to improve early medical student academic outcomes.
Social Media Platforms for Library Outreach and Engagement in the Digital Age: A Study of Selected Technical Universities in Ghana
The increasing integration of social media into academic library services has transformed approaches to outreach and user engagement; however, empirical evidence from Ghana’s technical universities remains limited. This qualitative comparative study examined how libraries at Accra Technical University (ATU) and Ho Technical University (HTU) use social media to support outreach and engagement initiatives, guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) to understand user motivations and library strategies. Using purposive sampling, ten (10) professional and para-professional library staff (five from each institution) directly involved in managing social media platforms were selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework. The study addressed four objectives: to identify social media platforms in use, analyse the nature and frequency of content shared, assess management and interaction practices, and examine challenges affecting engagement. Findings revealed that Facebook (100% usage) and WhatsApp (90% usage) were the dominant platforms due to widespread student adoption and immediacy of communication. ATU employed a semi-formal management model with dedicated personnel and scheduled posting, resulting in more consistent branding and posting frequency (2–3 posts per week), while HTU’s rotational approach encouraged collaborative input but produced irregular posting (1–2 posts per week) and inconsistent messaging. Content primarily consisted of announcements, operational updates, and occasional academic tips, with limited interactive posts such as polls or quizzes. Engagement remained largely reactive, with staff responding to queries rather than proactively fostering community interaction. Key constraints included limited staff capacity, lack of formal social media policies, infrastructural limitations, and low organic engagement. The study contributes to emerging scholarship on digital library engagement in sub-Saharan Africa by providing comparative insights and practical recommendations. It suggests that technical university libraries can strengthen user interaction by developing formal policies, clarifying staff roles, providing targeted training, and adopting platform-specific engagement strategies that align with user needs and motivations.