Volume 2025 · Issue 1 — 2025

This paper explores the theme, Breaking Barriers in Scholarship: Equity, Diversity, andInclusivity in Contemporary Language and Literature through the lens of Nawal El Saadawi’sseminal novel Woman at Point Zero. The novel was chosen because Africa is a PatriarchalSociety that allows the hegemony of men over women which creates barriers that silence themarginalized voices. Woman at Point Zero portrays the need to break barriers in societythrough literary canons. So, the text, which is a powerful feminist narrative, provides a criticalentry point into discussions on equity and inclusivity by foregrounding the lived experiencesof Firdaus, a woman marginalized by class, gender, and systemic oppression in Egyptiansociety. Drawing on feminist literary criticism and postcolonial theory, the paper examines howEl Saadawi disrupts patriarchal and canonical boundaries by giving voice to Firdaus, becauseAfrican traditions often silenced subaltern voices.. This will be done through qualitativeanalysis of the selected texts via close reading and textual analysis of the thematicpreoccupation of the author. The analysis highlights how the novel critiques entrenchedhierarchies of power while simultaneously advocating for diversity in the representation ofwomen’s experiences. By situating Woman at Point Zero within broader conversations onequity, diversity, and inclusivity, this paper aims to illustrate how African female writerschallenge scholarly canons, redefine narratives of identity, open pathways for more just andrepresentative literary discourses. Conclusively, the paper advocates the need for continuousinclusivity, equity and diversity for women, either in the urban or rural part of the Africansociety.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are critical pillars to support nursing practice, education,leadership, and research. The use of EDI principles guarantees that health care is providedethically, culturally sensitive, and relevant to diverse populations. This narrative reviewsynthesizes the existing literature on the significance of EDI in nursing, with emphasis on itsrole in contributing to patient outcomes, workforce efficiency, quality education, and leadershipformation. Evidence indicates that inclusive staffing, inclusive organizational cultures, andinclusive policies increase patient satisfaction, reduce health disparities, improve professionalcommitment, and increase innovation. Despite the benefits, issues like systematic inequities,organizational opposition, implicit bias, and narrow policy frames exist to limit the fullachievement of EDI in nursing. The effective solutions to addressing these problems are policyreforms, diverse, culturally competent hiring and mentoring practices, culturally competenteducation, leadership development policies, and evidence-based practice policy. In conclusion,this review finds that EDI is not only an ethical imperative but also a practical matter forbuilding robust healthcare systems and improving quality of care. Long-term commitment,continuous monitoring, and anticipatory enactment of policy are required to integrate EDIprinciples into nursing practice, education, and administration.

Postoperative pain affects a significant proportion of surgical patients globally and remains amajor challenge in post-surgical care, with a substantial number of patients developingpersistent pain. Although psychological preparation for surgery has been shown to improvesurgical outcomes, limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of nurse-led psychologicalreassurance in reducing postoperative pain and anxiety among surgical patients in Nigerianhospital settings.This study investigated the effect of nurse-led psychological reassurance on postoperative painand surgery preparedness among surgical patients in selected hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State. Aquasi-experimental research design involving experimental and control groups was adopted.Four hospitals were selected, comprising two experimental and two control sites. A total of 102surgical patients were randomly selected, including 67 in the experimental group and 35 in thecontrol group. Data were collected using a self-developed, structured questionnaire which wasvalidated by experts in nursing and behavioural sciences. The instrument demonstratedacceptable internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.78. Datawere analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, with the t-test conducted atp ≤ 0.05.The results showed that following the intervention, the proportion of patients who were wellprepared for surgery increased significantly in the experimental group (79.1%), while only4.5% remained poorly prepared. Psychological reassurance also improved significantly, withonly 6.4% of respondents reporting high levels of worry. There was a statistically significantimprovement in surgery preparedness (t = 2.282, p = 0.026) and psychological reassurance (t= 2.005, p = 0.049) following the intervention. It was concluded in this study that nurse-ledpsychological reassurance significantly improved surgical patients’ psychologicalpreparedness and reduced postoperative pain-related anxiety. The study therefore recommendsthe integration of structured psychological reassurance into routine nursing care for surgicalpatients as a complementary approach to postoperative pain management, with reducedreliance on opioid analgesics.

The study is on the effects of occupational health intervention on quality of life among factoryworkers in Oyo state. Although, there are existing studies on the factors influencing the healthrelatedquality of life to reduce the rate of occupational injuries, many surveys still reportinsignificant or no reduction in occupational hazards even with the introduction of healthinterventions. The study explored the Effects of Occupational health intervention on Quality oflife among factory workers in Oyo State.The study adopted Quasi-experimental design; Two hundred and twelve (212) industrialworkers were selected purposively as the participants of the study. One validated questionnairewas used to gather data for the research. This is: WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (r = 0.75).The data aggregated were analysed using Pearson correlation and t-test analysis.Relationship exist between occupational health interventions and the incidence of occupationalinjuries among the industrial workers (r = 0.529, p = 0.00). There is positive moderatesignificant relationship between occupational health interventions and the health-relatedquality of life of the industrial workers (r = 0.311, p = 0.000). Significant difference existsbetween level of health-related quality of life between the workers (intervention and controlgroups) and the mean difference is in favour of workers enrolled to health and safety trainings(intervention group) P-value of 0.017 and t-value of 2.41.The study suggested that: Quality, weather-sensitive and durable PPE should always beprovided for the employees by the managements and immediately replaced when worn out.

Clinical Depression is a prevalent, disabling psychiatric disorder with rising global impact,especially in low- and middle-income countries. Traditionally defined by affective andcognitive symptoms, Major Depressive Disdorder is now understood as a heterogeneousdisorder influenced by both biological and environmental factors. This review explored theneurobiological and genetic foundations of MDD, emphasizing key molecular pathwaysincluding serotonergic signaling, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic support, and stressreactivity. Candidate genes such as SLC6A4, BDNF, and FKBP5 are examined, alongsideemerging insights into gene-environment interactions (G×E) and epigenetic modulation ofdepression risk. This review also discussed recent advances in polygenic risk scoring,microbiota-brain interactions, and immune-metabolic frameworks that are reshapingunderstanding of depression etiology. Special attention is given to the underrepresentation ofAfrican populations in psychiatric genetics, highlighting the importance of diversity inbiomarker discovery and treatment development. The review advocated for a systems-based,integrative approach that accounts for sex differences, environmental context, and genomicvariability. Future research directions include the use of multi-omics, culturally inclusive studydesigns, and biomarker-informed strategies for prevention and treatment. By bridgingneurobiology with real-world diversity, this review underscores the importance of translationalpsychiatry in addressing the evolving global burden of MDD.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are fundamental principles that should underpin all healthresearch activities, particularly in the field of nursing where cultural competence and ethicalpractice are essential. This review paper explores the interwoven dimensions of policy, ethics,and advocacy as they relate to advancing EDI in health research. Drawing from global andregional literature, the paper synthesizes existing frameworks, ethical mandates, and policyinitiatives that promote inclusive research practices. It highlights key ethical principles; justice,autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence and their applications in ensuring that researchdesigns are not only scientifically sound but also socially responsible and inclusive.Despite increasing awareness, persistent barriers such as institutional bias, limited policyenforcement, and inadequate representation of marginalized populations continue to impedeprogress. This paper also identified the central role of nurses as advocates for social justice andinclusive research practices, both at the bedside and within policymaking spaces. Specialattention is paid to the Nigerian and sub-Saharan African context, where issues of access,representation, and cultural diversity present unique challenges and opportunities.The review concludes with recommendations for fostering a more inclusive researchenvironment through ethical training, inclusive policy development, and capacity building fornurse researchers. Ultimately, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on how nursingprofessionals can lead efforts to make health research more equitable, diverse, and inclusive,thereby improving health outcomes and reducing disparities on a global scale.

Menopause is an important and normal developmental process in a woman’s life. It is markedby the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of health-education on the perception andquality of life of (QoL) of Menopausal Women in Ibadan, with the intention of knowing howhealth-education could impact menopausal women’s perception and quality of life positively.Quasi-experimental study design was used to explore the effect of health education interventionon knowledge, perception and quality of life of Menopausal women and the study utilizedmultistage sampling technique and 130 questionnaires were retrieved out of 152 questionnairesadministered, all the retrieved questionnaires were valid for analysis. The findings showed thatthe level of knowledge of the participants was better at post-intervention (96.2%) than preintervention(93.8%). Also (20.8%) participants had negative perception at pre-interventionwhile it reduced to (9.2%) post-intervention. The percentage of quality of life (38.5%) at preinterventionwas increased to (66.9%) at post-intervention. The null hypotheses were rejected(pv = 0.001) as there was significant difference between pre-interventional and postinterventionalknowledge, perception and quality of life using paired samples t-test. Inconclusion, participants performed better at post-intervention than at pre-intervention whichimplies that health-education given had positive impact on their knowledge perception andquality of life. It was recommended therefore that menopausal women be well informedthrough health-education intervention to reduce the menace of menopausal syndrome andincrease their coping system.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study assessed Gender-based Violence (GBV) in Ibadan, OyoState, Nigeria. There were 10,046 respondents comprising 2,951 men, 1,622 pregnant women,1,911 non-pregnant women and 3,562 adolescents. The study further examined the knowledgeand attitude of healthcare providers to survivors of GBV. The Domestic Violence AssessmentTool (DVAT), a validated questionnaire, hosted on Kobo, was deployed. Data analysis waswith SPSS version 29. Inferential statistics examined data categories' relationships, whilelogistic regression determined independent predictors of GBV, at a p-value of 0.005. Theprevalence of GBV was 23.8% among women. Older (40-49years) women were more prone toGBV than younger (p=0.001). Employment status, education level, number of children(p<0.001 respectively) and years of marriage(p=0.001) were identified as key predictors ofGBV among women. 11% of pregnant women reported physical abuse from their partners.Pregnant women (30–39years) were more likely to experience GBV than counterparts above50years. GBV prevalence among men was 13.7%, with younger men more vulnerable.Employment status, education status and years of marriage (p<0.001 respectively) wereidentified as highest predictors of GBV among men. Adolescents (10-14 years) were morelikely to experience GBV. The prevalence of GBV was 15.36% among out-of-school and3.06% among in-school adolescents respectively. The research recommends pregnant womenbe screened for GBV during antenatal booking, men-centred gender-based violence care beestablished at the grassroots level and that long-term support, empowerment and client-focusedcare be considered, and sustained, across all levels of care for GBV survivors

Africa is a continent with a large population but with a reduced representation of Africans inanatomical and biomedical datasets globally. The accuracy and suitability of biomedicalresearch is limited by this underrepresentation, perpetuating health outcome inequities. Thisstudy aimed to systematically review the extent to which there is an Africanunderrepresentation in anatomical and biomedical datasets and its implications for healthequity. The objectives are to analyze the extent of underrepresentation, identify the biomedicalareas underrepresented, and to evaluate the clinical implications of overlooking anatomicalvariations. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed, restrictedto review articles published in the past five years. Out of 857 articles initially obtained fromthe search, 25 papers met the inclusion criteria, 14 papers from Google Scholar and 11 fromPubMed. The limited number of acceptable studies itself show a systemic gap in the inclusionof African populations in biomedical research. This review highlights that the domination ofEurocentric datasets undermines accuracy in diagnosis, surgical safety, and therapeuticeffectiveness in African contexts, especially in oncology, neuroimaging, and anatomyeducation. It underlines the necessity, both ethical and clinical, of incorporating African datainto biomedical frameworks, while also identifying structural barriers such as weak researchfacilities and imbalance in funding. As a way forward, this review recommends that Africanledresearch initiatives be prioritised, and deliberate expansion of anatomical and biomedicaldatasets, to reflect African population diversity be made.

Engagement in citizen journalism through the use of social media has a broad impact on thesecurity of every nation. This study reviewed citizen journalism on security challenges inNigeria among The Polytechnic Ibadan Students, and the descriptive survey research designwas adopted for the study. 403 respondents were selected using the multi-stage samplingtechnique, and a validated instrument named “citizen journalism social media questionnaire”(CiJoSoMeQ) was used for data collection, while data were analysed using descriptive andinferential statistics. Findings revealed that students’ involvement in citizen journalism wasvery high (weighted mean 1.85), and the majority of the students had a good perception of theuse of social media in discussing national security challenges (weighted mean 2.83). There wasno significant difference (r = 0.053, p<0.05; r = 0.941, p<0.05) in the level of engagement inonline discussion and perception of social media use in discussing security challenges inNigeria. Thus, the study concluded that The Polytechnic Ibadan Students’ engagement incitizen journalism does not have any influence on security challenges in Nigeria. This studyrecommends that students as well as citizens should be adequately trained on the need to filterinformation before spreading, and also, topical security updates as they affect the nation shouldbe disseminated on social media, thereby limiting the spread of wrong news regarding securitymatters.

Women have long been marginalised in filmmaking in Nigeria. Their roles in the Nigerian filmindustry have always been termed stereotypical. In today's Nigerian film industry, especiallyin Lagos, women are taking the lead. According to the available statistics, eight of the top tenhighest-grossing Nigerian films in 2024 were either produced by women, directed by women,or both. This is a significant twist from the stereotype. The question is what factors havecontributed to this significant shift in the Nigerian film industry? To fully investigate theimplicit factor behind this feminist revolution in Lagos Nollywood, feminist film theory isapplied in the study. This study uses a case study research design in a qualitative approach,using the instrument of scheduled interviews and content analysis on purposive samples ofgathered data for the study. Ten Lagos female filmmakers with films in the cinema areexamined. The results show that self-determination in the pursuit of diversity, equity, andinclusivity is key to their success. Other female filmmakers across Nollywood arerecommended to emulate Lagos female filmmakers but be careful how this success is handled.

This study investigates the integration of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) intoadaptive learning systems, drawing on Human–AI Complementarity Theory and EpistemicJustice Theory to examine how explainability supports equity and inclusivity in resourceconstrainedsettings. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combined pre- and post-test datawith qualitative insights to assess learner confidence in the system, engagement, andperformance. Findings show that learners using XAI-supported systems achieved significantlyhigher post-test scores (F₁,₁₁₁ = 24.78, p < .001, η2 = .08) and reported greater confidencein the system due to clearer, contextually relevant explanations. The results indicate that XAIreduces confusion, strengthens fairness perceptions, and enhances learner autonomy. The studyconcludes that explainability is essential for equitable AI-mediated learning, particularly whereresource constraints and diverse learner needs amplify the risks of opaque systems. Itrecommends the adoption of XAI-enhanced platforms in resource-constrained settings toimprove transparency, trust, and academic achievement.

This study examined teachers’ attitude to the use of Information and CommunicationTechnology in the teaching of English Language in selected secondary schools in IbadanSouth East, and applied Technology Acceptance Model. A descriptive survey research designwas adopted. The population of the study comprises of 482 English Language teachers.Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 40 English Language teachers in juniorsecondary schools and 40 English Language teachers in senior secondary schools making it atotal of 80 English Language teachers. The instrument used for data collection was structuredquestionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the questionnaire’s internal consistencyreliability (coefficient= 0.76). Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyzethe data collected. Results revealed that the respondents had the highest level of proficiencyin the use of 'internet facilities' (mean=3.08). Results further revealed that majority (92.5%)of the respondents had favourable attitude towards the use of ICT tools. Results of Analysisof Variance (ANOVA) show that at P≤0.05, there was a significant relationship between thegender of respondents and their attitude towards the use of ICT tools (F= 6.261, P-value=0.014). The study found that while teachers in the study area have a positive attitude towardsusing ICT tools for teaching English Language, most of them lack proficiency in using them.It was recommended that secondary schools with ICT tools should make use of them inteaching English language, and in-service training should be conducted for teachers toeffectively integrate technology into their lessons.

Grounded on dynamic capability and job demands resources perspectives, this studyinvestigates whether diversity management amplifies the effect of innovation-work behaviouron employee engagement among 347 agricultural SMEs in Ibadan, Nigeria. A convergentmixed-methods design combined survey data (PLS-SEM, 5,000 bias-corrected bootstraps,instrumental-variable distance-to-node controls) with 25 semi-structured interviews.Descriptive diagnostics indicate high reliability (α ≥ 0.88, AVE ≥ 0.66, VIF < 3.3). Quantitativeresults show that innovation-work behaviour positively predicts employee engagement (β =0.44, p < 0.001); diversity management significantly moderates this relationship (β = 0.23, p <0.001), with the slope 46 % steeper under high diversity management. Moderated-mediationanalyses reveal that psychological safety and inclusive leadership sequentially transmit theinteractive effect (conditional indirect effect = 0.19 [0.12, 0.27] at high diversity management;non-significant at low). Qualitative themes corroborate the quantitative findings, highlightinglanguage-inclusive ideation and anonymous suggestion portals as micro-processes.Implications for inclusive agro-policy and SME cluster development are discussed.

Community-led development (CLD) has remained a central standard in current timeparticipatory discussion, with more emphasis on ownership, inclusion, and sustainability.However, many initiatives struggle to continue external support ceases, revealing continualgaps between participatory principles and sustainable practice. Concepts presented in this paperwere drawn from existing literatures that have found functional–interactive participation, intergenerationalcollaboration as well as sustainability as essentials of effective CLD. The studyhinges on existing theories such as Participatory Development, Social-Ecological Systems,Sustainable Development, and Generativity theory. The study further acknowledges theupcoming generational concerns that often shape community interaction, where older adultsseek to preserve cultural legacy and continuity, while younger groups aspire toward innovation,recognition, and socio-economic advancement. The paper also proposed that it is whenparticipation is seen as a process that it can be truly transformative, when viewed as aprocessual, rather than an instrumental, engagement which has its root in dialogue, mutuallearning, and inter-generational exchange. Then, this framework is used to reveal how intergenerationalcollaboration can lead to adaptive capacity, strengthen local ownership, andbecome community systems. By reframing participation as a dynamic relational process thattranscends token involvement, this paper contributes to participatory development theories andpractices. It further offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners on embeddinginter-generational strategies into community-led initiatives to promote continuity, resilience,and long-term community empowerment

Sustainable Development Goal 4 emphasises equitable learning opportunities for all learners,regardless of ability or condition. Ensuring equal classroom participation is for developinglearners’ skills, self-esteem, and competencies needed for future employability. This studycompared the learning aptitude of special learners-Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), AttentionDeficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-withneurotypical learners in classroom activities across five states, including the Federal CapitalTerritory, Abuja. The comparison was guided by socio-emotional and metacognition theoriesfor neurotypical learners and integrated behaviour management and constructivist theories forspecial learners. The study examined differences in academic achievement and gender betweenSpecial Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN-D) learners and neurotypical learners usingacademic aptitude support strategies. An experimental design was adopted, involving 66special learners and 77 neurotypical learners selected through multi-stage sampling. Data werecollected using an academic aptitude test with a reliability coefficient of r = 0.781. Fourhypotheses were tested at the 0.05 significance level, and independent t-tests were used tocompare mean differences in academic achievement. Findings revealed significant differencein neurotypical learners’ academic achievement across gender for both pretest and posttestscores (P = 0.001 < 0.05), resulting in rejection of the null hypotheses. In contrast, speciallearners’ mean scores indicated no significant gender-based differences (P = 0.228 pretest; P =0.215 posttest > 0.05), leading to acceptance of the null hypotheses. The study concluded thatacademic achievement improved for both groups and recommended integrating aptitude-basedactivities for special learners to foster inclusive learning practices.

Student motivation is a central determinant of academic engagement and achievement, yet itsnature and influencing factors vary substantially across educational stages. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this paper discusses how leadership practices and relationaldynamics shape motivation from early childhood to tertiary education. SDT asserts thatstudents’ sustained engagement and willingness to learn are strengthened when theirpsychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met. The discussiondemonstrates that leadership approaches that are supportive, empowering, and relationallyattuned foster learning environments capable of fulfilling these needs, thereby enhancingintrinsic motivation and promoting long-term academic persistence. The paper underscores thesignificant influence of school leaders, teachers, and peer relationships in shaping students’attitudes, engagement, and performance. It highlights how leadership styles, communicationpatterns, and relational qualities such as trust, emotional support, and belonging contribute tomotivational outcomes. Particular emphasis is placed on the developmental variations instudents’ motivational needs: young children depend on relational security and emotionallysupportive environments; adolescents benefit from autonomy-supportive and transformativeleadership that balances independence and guidance; and tertiary-level students are motivatedby participatory structures, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for agency. Byintegrating leadership theory with SDT, the paper explains the importance of adaptiveleadership that evolves in alignment with students’ developmental trajectories. The conclusionprovides suggestions for educational leaders, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to fosterinclusive, motivationally rich environments that support student success, resilience, andholistic development across all levels of schooling.

The higher education sector in Nigeria is experiencing increasing pressures due to demographicgrowth, socio-economic challenges, and global educational trends, which require systemicreform. This paper highlights how equity, innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and leadershiprelate to rethinking university education. Using transformational leadership theory, whichemphasizes shared vision, partnership, and ethical change agency, identify institutionalconstraints and suggest strategic adjustments. The paper argues that transformationalleadership acts as the cohesive element that can engage stakeholders in efforts to diminishinequities, foster innovation, promote inclusivity, and incorporate sustainability intoinstitutional culture. Socioeconomic and geographic differences limit access, inadequateinfrastructure and regulatory actions inhibit innovation, cultural and linguistic diversitycomplicates inclusivity, and insufficient planning threatens long-term sustainability. Researchfrom Nigeria and other countries indicates that equity-focused interventions, including needbasedfinancial aid, culturally responsive curricula, and targeted support systems, enhancestudent outcomes. Studies on digital and smart learning environments indicate enhancedengagement and diminished disparities, whereas diversity and sustainability initiatives bolsterinstitutional resilience and social cohesion. This paper posits that aligning university practiceswith national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing digitalinfrastructure, investing in leadership development, and advocating for evidence-based policyreforms are critical measures for achieving transformation. The paper concludes that theintegration of these five pillars through visionary and ethical leadership can enhance Nigeria’suniversities, making them inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive institutions thatproduce ethical leaders, critical thinkers, and socially responsible citizens.

This reflective practitioner case study explores how school leadership can effectively addressequity, innovation, and diversity within the complex context of twenty-first-century education,using Ibadan International School (IIS), an International Baccalaureate World School inNigeria, as a focal case. Drawing on over eleven years of professional experience, the studyexamines how values-driven leadership fostered inclusive learning environments, equitableaccess, and innovative practices, particularly highlighting IIS’s successful transition to remotelearning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Situating these practices within Nigeria’s broadereducational landscape of structural inequalities, underfunding, and infrastructural constraints,the paper is grounded in Transformational and Culturally Responsive Leadership frameworksand integrates relevant literature, methodological reflections, contextual analysis, and practicalrecommendations. It concludes that effective school leadership in Nigeria transcendsadministrative competence, functioning as moral, relational, and context-sensitive workcapable of transforming schools into spaces of equity, resilience, and human possibility despitesystemic challenges.

This study investigated the influence of parental support on students’ motivation towardslearning among Senior Secondary School 2 (SSS2) students in Ibadan North Local GovernmentArea, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions, two hypotheses,and the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler Model of Parental Involvement Process guided thestudy. A descriptive survey design was employed. The study population comprised 1,343 SSS2students across the 42 public secondary schools in the local government area. Usingdisproportionate-to-size sampling technique, ten schools were selected and 400 students (40per school) were sampled for the study. A self-constructed questionnaire titled: “ParentalSupport and Motivation towards Learning among Students Questionnaire” (PSMLSQ)” wasused to collect data. The questionnaire was subjected to face and content validity anddemonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of r = .858. This reliabilityvalue was considered adequate for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptiveand inferential statistics. Results showed that students are sometimes motivated towardslearning (x₁ = 2.302) and there was a good relationship between parental emotional supportand students’ motivation towards learning (x₁ = 2.676). However, the relationship betweenparental instrumental support and students’ motivation towards learning was poor (x₁ =2.676). Results also showed a positive significant relationship between parental emotionalsupport and students’ motivation towards learning (r = .359, P< 0.05); but a negative significantrelationship between parental instrumental support and students’ motivation towards learning(r = -.323, P< 0.05). It was concluded that there is a positive significant impact of parentalemotional support but negative impact of parental instrumental support on motivation towardslearning among the students. It was recommended that parents should provide more warmth,care, empathy, guidance and basic resources to boost their children’s motivation towardslearning both at home and school.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in global education systems,offering tools that can personalize learning, automate administrative tasks, and supportinclusive education. However, in the Nigerian context, questions arise regarding its efficacy,accessibility, and impact on learners. This paper examines AI as both a potential catalyst forimproved learning outcomes and a possible digital distraction. It critically explores the currentimplementation of AI technologies in Nigerian academia, the readiness of the higher educationsystem to adopt such tools, and the implications for lecturers and students. The study employsa qualitative review approach, drawing from recent literature and policy documents to analyzethe dual role AI plays. Anchored in sociotechnical system theory, the paper suggests that whileArtificial Intelligence (AI) holds significant transformative potential for Nigeria's educationallandscape, its effectiveness is currently constrained by critical factors. These constraintsinclude infrastructural deficits, widespread digital illiteracy, and the challenges posed byunregulated usage. To harness AI responsibly and effectively, the paper recommends thatpolicy-makers and educators take several coordinated steps: investing in robust infrastructure,training educators to utilize AI tools, developing comprehensive AI policies, fostering inclusiveaccess to AI technologies, and promoting public-private partnerships for sustainabledevelopment.

Education is a fundamental pillar of society and holds immense significance within society.Educational leaders, including principals, administrators, and instructional leaders, bear theresponsibility of shaping the learning experience for students. Educational leaders, such asprincipals and school administrators, have the power to influence and transform educationalenvironments. This paper explores the critical role of school leadership in promoting equity,innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in education. It discusses the importance of thesevalues in creating positive learning environments and preparing students for success in a rapidlychanging world. The paper highlights strategies for promoting equity, innovation, inclusivity,and sustainability in education. It also emphasizes the importance of school leaders in settingclear vision and priorities, providing support and resources for teachers and staff, and fosteringa positive school culture and community. Promoting equity, innovation, inclusivity, andsustainability in schools requires a collaborative effort from school leaders, teachers, and thebroader community. By prioritizing equity, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, schoolleaders can create an environment that nurtures learning, supports student achievement, andelevates the overall quality of education.

Incorporating Game-Based Learning (GBL) into Physics education can revolutionize teachinglearningprocesses by providing interactive and participatory learning environments throughthe motivational spirit of gaming activity. This study examines the effect of GBL on students’inclusiveness and engagement in undergraduate Physics, based on Self-Determination Theory.A quasi-experimental design with a sample of 150 students divided into experimental (GBLInstruction) and control (Traditional Lecture, TL Instruction) groups was adopted. Data werecollected using Student Engagement Scale (reliability coefficient 0.82) and InclusivenessPerception Inventory (reliability coefficient 0.85); and analyzed using descriptive and Analysisof Covariace statistics at 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that students exposed toGBL recorded significantly higher mean scores in both engagement (M = 67.80, SD = 6.11)and inclusiveness (M = 74.50, SD = 5.69) compared to the TL group (Engagement: M = 58.30,SD = 7.42; Inclusiveness: M = 61.70, SD = 8.06). ANCOVA analysis indicated a significantmain effect of teaching method on posttest engagement {F(1, 147) = 47.44, p < 0.001, partialη² = 0.24} and inclusiveness {F(1, 147) = 79.26, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.35} scores betweenthe experimental and control groups. The effect size of GBL on students’ engagement (Cohen’sd = 1.40) and inclusiveness (Cohen’s d = 1.83) was observed to be very large. These findingsindicated that GBL instruction had a substantial impact on students’ engagement andinclusiveness compared to TL instruction. It is recommended that school authorities shouldorganize training workshops for science teachers on GBL usage.

This study examined how government budgetary allocation affects the academic performanceof students in public secondary schools in Ibadan North, Ibadan South-West, and Ido LocalGovernment Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data werecollected from 120 respondents, 80 teachers and 40 administrators selected from ten publicsecondary schools. A structured 20-item questionnaire measured budget allocation,infrastructure adequacy, teacher morale, and academic achievement. Findings showed thatgovernment funding averaged 55–58%, which falls below the UNESCO 26% benchmark. Thestudy was anchored on Human Capital Theory and Resource Allocation Theory, and instrumentreliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.87. Correlation results revealedsignificant positive relationships between budget allocation and academic performance (r =0.727, p < 0.05), infrastructure (r = 0.856, p < 0.01), and teacher motivation (r = 0.693, p <0.05). Regression analysis indicated that budget allocation accounted for 52.8% (R² = 0.528)of the variance in student performance. Respondents identified inadequate funding (81.7%),infrastructure decay (68.3%), and low morale (60.8%) as major challenges. Comparativeanalysis showed that Ibadan South-West recorded the highest mean performance (62.1%) andfunding level (57.8%), while Ido recorded the lowest. The study concludes that increased andwell-managed funding can substantially improve academic outcomes. It recommends aminimum 10% annual increase in education budgets, stronger accountability mechanisms, andtargeted investment in facilities and teacher welfare.

Traditional patterns of urban growth have to be rethought in light of growing awareness ofsocial injustice, environmental degradation, and climate change. The study aim to examine theimpact of sustainable property development on residential property values in Ibadan, OyoState; examine the various sustainable property developments and the trend of property valuebetween 2015 – 2025. Data were collected through closed-ended structured questionnairesadministered to 113 estate surveying and valuation firms, with the retrieval of 75 validresponses and also, 68 questionnaires were administered to real estate development firms, withthe retrieval of 42 responses. A simple random sampling technique was used, and the analysisemployed frequency tables, trend analysis and multiple regression. The multiple regressionresults show modest correlations: sustainable features explain ~28% – 46% of rental/propertyvalue variation across flat types, with adjusted R² considerably lower after accounting forpredictors. Only a few features were significant such as sustainable landscaping (negative) andresilient design (positive) for two-bedroom flats, and waste reduction (negative), greenlandscaping (positive), certifications, energy systems (positive), and some negatives like smartgrid integration in three-bedroom flats. Financial incentives should be introduced to mitigatethe high initial costs often associated with sustainable development. In conclusion, the findingshighlight the urgent need for an enthusiastic policy structure, financial incentives, capacitybuilding, and public awareness to mainstream sustainable practices in property development.

This study examines climate change and its implications on property values in Ibadan, Nigeria,drawing insights from estate surveying and valuation firms. Using the 2024 Nigerian Institutionof Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) directory, 55 firms were purposively sampled, with38 valid responses retrieved, representing a 69.1% response rate. The majority of firms weresmall to medium sized, with limited staff capacity, yet over 80% managed property portfolios,underscoring their central role in Ibadan’s real estate sector. Findings reveal that structuraldamage (Mean = 4.1, SD = ±0.59), increased management costs (Mean = 4.0, SD = ±1.03), andincreased maintenance costs (Mean = 4.0, SD = ±0.72) are the most critical impacts of climatechange on property. Other notable effects include changes in land use (Mean = 3.8), shifts inmarket demand (Mean = 3.6), decreased property value (Mean = 3.4), and residentdisplacement (Mean = 3.4). A ten year trend (2014–2023) shows that while property incomeshave risen; residential income from ₁20.9 million to ₁25.3 million, commercial income from₁121.7 million to ₁446.6 million, and industrial income from ₁4.5 million to ₁559.8 million,capital values have remained stagnant or declined, reflecting suppressed asset appreciation inclimate vulnerable areas. The study concludes that climate change is exerting profound anduneven pressures on Ibadan’s property market, with rising operational burdens and reducedlong term investment potential. It recommends that estate surveyors integrate climate risk intovaluation models, property managers adopt adaptive maintenance practices, and planningauthorities enforce development controls while investing in resilient infrastructure.Strengthening climate informed governance and professional practice is vital to sustainingproperty values in Ibadan amid escalating environmental risks.

The intensifying prevalence and intensity of flood events across Nigeria highlights a pressingneed for advanced risk assessment and management models that extend beyond immediateinfrastructural damage to encompass pervasive environmental liabilities. This study utilizes theanalytical power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) toinvestigate the May 2025 catastrophic flash flood in Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria as asignificant case study for informing and developing Environmental Liability Insurance (ELI)frameworks. Through the analysis of pre- and post-flood high-resolution satellite imagery,coupled with detailed Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) elevation data, this researchprecisely delineated flood extent, quantified affected assets, and identified areas at heightenedrisk of environmental hazards. The findings reveal the vulnerability of informal settlementsdevoid of effective urban development and highlights the spatial intersection of floodwaterswith other environmental elements. This investigation provides crucial geospatial intelligencefor insurers in underwriting, claims validation, and developing risk-pricing models, advocatingfor a proactive, spatially informed approach to ELI in Nigeria's varied flood-prone regions.

Parking space influences how customers feel about stores. Shoppers encountered frustrationwhilst seeking parking facilities before accessing the shopping malls, which negatively impactstheir overall shopping experience and perception of the malls, regardless of the quality of goodsand services offered within the facility. Addressing this infrastructure limitation could improvethe customer experience. This study investigates the impact of parking space on customers'satisfaction in two (2) shopping malls in Akobo, Ibadan. The study utilised a mixed-methodresearch approach, which included interviews and questionnaires administered to shoppers whofrequent the mall's parking lot as well as the supermarket's facility management team. Data wascollected from 90 and 65 Supermarket A and Supermarket B consumers, respectively. The datacollected were analysed using statistical methods to identify the relationship between parkingspace availability and customer satisfaction. The study's findings indicate that customersatisfaction at Supermarket A regarding various factors is as follows: size of the parking space(0.88), Landscape (0.85), Aesthetics (0.92), Ambience (0.79), absence of disturbing noise(0.83), and safety (0.88). Participants demonstrated greater satisfaction concerning the state ofparking facilities at Supermarket A compared to those at Supermarket B. The study alsoobserved that supermarket A enjoys more patronage than Supermarket B. Improving parkingspace availability may lead to a better shopping experience for customers and increased revenuefor supermarkets.

Elections are the life blood of any democracy, offering citizens the opportunity to choose theirleaders and shape the direction of their country. The timely and fair resolution of electiondisputes is necessitated. This study provides proof of the increasing circumstances of postelectionpetitions and evidential court determinations of election outcomes in the FederalRepublic of Nigeria. Since 1999, Nigeria has organised four cycles of national elections. Eachof the elections was contested either in or out of court (in the latter case, for example, in theform of election violence). In Nigeria, the delayed resolution of election petitions has becomea persistent issue undermining the democratic process. This paper investigates the causes ofthese delays, the importance oftimely election dispute resolution, and the implications fordemocratic stability. The primary objective is to identify factors contributing to prolongedelection petitions and propose reforms to enhance the judicial system's efficiency. Key gapsinclude judicial inefficiencies, political interference, and a lack of clear guidelines for handlingpetitions. The paper relied largely on the qualitative method of analysis, in which relevanthistorical evidences, books, journals and newspaper reports were content analyzed. Keyfindings indicate that the backlog of cases, judicial under-resourcing, political pressure, andunclear procedural timelines are significant contributors to delays. These delays erode publictrust in the electoral system and create political instability. The paper recommends judicialefficiency reforms, clearer timelines, judicial independence safeguards, and technologyintegration to streamline the process and ensure fair, timely adjudication. Implementing thesereforms will foster democratic stability by improving the credibility of Nigeria's electoralsystem and enhancing public confidence in the legitimacy of elected leaders.

Nigeria’s housing sector faces persistent inequalities, with marginalized groupsdisproportionately excluded from access, decision-making, and benefits. Despite globaladvances in smart sustainability and inclusive governance, these principles remaininadequately integrated into Nigeria’s property governance frameworks, creating a gap inevidence-based strategies to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This paperaddresses this gap by examining how smart sustainability practices including green buildingtechnologies, renewable energy, climate-resilient planning, and digital land governance can beembedded within governance frameworks to promote EDI outcomes. Using a rigorousconceptual methodology that combines policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and documentreviews, the study identifies systemic barriers and enablers for implementing inclusive housinggovernance. Findings indicate that achieving EDI requires a hybrid governance model thatintegrates technological efficiency with human-centric participatory mechanisms, addressesthe digital divide, and strengthens institutional capacity. The study contributes a frameworklinking smart sustainability, governance quality, and social inclusion in the Nigerian context.It concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers, developers, and researchersto design housing systems that are equitable, environmentally resilient, and socially inclusive.

Farm settlements were introduced in Nigeria in the late colonial period and early postindependenceera as a rural development strategy aimed at enhancing sustainable food security.Despite decades of existence, many of these schemes have recorded limited success. This studyinvestigated the challenges confronting Akufo Farm Settlement in Oyo State, Nigeria, with theobjective of addressing the paucity of empirical evidence on the factors undermining itssustainability. The study examined settlers’ perceptions of some identified challenges, thenassessed how these challenges affect farmers’ productivity and explored possible mitigationstrategies. This study adopts an integrated analytical framework derived from modernizationtheory and dependency theory to explain the persistence of rural underdevelopment in Akufo.The study adopted a mixed qualitative approach. Primary data were collected throughquestionnaires, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews with 73 settlement dwellersselected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques in the year 2025. Secondary datawere obtained from policy bulletins, books, and peer-reviewed journals. Data were analysedusing descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Findings revealed persistentchallenges which included deteriorating infrastructure (54%), insufficient capital (90%),inadequate extension services (66%), youth disengagement from farming (74%), and landtenure insecurity (89%) respectively as reported by the respondents. The foregoing constraintshave negatively contributed to the decline in agricultural productivity within Akufo settlement.The study recommends strategic revitalisation of Akufo farm settlement through increasedgovernment involvement, long-term policy commitment infrastructural rehabilitation, secureland management systems, consistent policy frameworks, and deliberate engagement ofyounger farmers. The findings contribute to global discourse on sustainable rural developmentand agricultural policy implementation in Nigeria.

This study examines how gender dynamics influence agribusiness participation, access to land,credit, and productive resources, and their implications for rural livelihoods and household foodsecurity among household tea farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area, Taraba State,Nigeria. Unlike prior research that focuses broadly on smallholder agriculture, this studyexplicitly links gendered access to land and credit with participation in tea agribusiness,highlighting socio-institutional barriers that affect men, women, and youth differently. Primarydata were collected from 75 tea-farming households using structured questionnaires andanalysed with descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC), and Chisquaretests at a 5% significance level. Results indicate that tea farming is the predominantlivelihood activity (70.67%) in the Mambilla Plateau, with most respondents aged 31–50 years,married (76%), and managing households averaging five members. Despite this, 84% offarmers had limited formal education, and access to institutional credit was inadequate,constraining agribusiness participation. While 81% reported access to land, only 20%possessed legally recognized rights, reflecting customary tenure systems and gender inequities.PPMC revealed a weak negative correlation (r = –0.13, p > 0.05) between land size andproductivity, while Chi-square analysis showed no significant association (χ² = 1.045, p = 0.31)between land access and household food security. The study demonstrates that genderresponsiveland titling, inclusive credit schemes, and targeted training for women and youthare critical for enhancing equitable participation, improving productivity, and strengtheninghousehold food security in tea agribusiness, offering practical insights for policy and ruraldevelopment interventions.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs are central to economic development in emergingeconomies, with agro-allied SMEs in Nigeria playing a critical role in food security, rurallivelihoods, and poverty reduction. However, beyond financial and operational constraints, thegrowth of these enterprises is increasingly shaped by cultural dynamics embedded in consumermarkets. This study examines the influence of culturally sensitive marketing practices on thegrowth of agro-allied SMEs in Oyo State, Nigeria. Adopting a quantitative survey design, datawere collected from 367 SME owners and managers using structured questionnaires andanalysed through correlation and regression techniques. The findings reveal that culturallysensitive marketing practices significantly predict business growth, explaining 41.4% of thevariance (R² = 0.414), with a positive effect (β = 0.359, p < 0.001). Cultural sensitivity alsoexhibits a strong and significant relationship with customer loyalty (r = 0.676, p < 0.01). Furtherregression analysis indicates that culturally sensitive marketing strategies account for 45.9% ofthe variance in sales performance and market expansion (R² = 0.459; β = 0.421, p < 0.001).Unlike much of the existing SME marketing literature that treats culture as a peripheral, thisstudy provides subnational empirical evidence that culturally embedded marketing practicesfunction as a measurable growth driver in a culturally diverse Nigerian context. The studyconcludes that cultural sensitivity represents a strategic capability rather than a complementarypractice for agro-allied SMEs. The findings provide insights for marketing training, policyformulation, and entrepreneurship development programmes aimed at enhancingcompetitiveness and sustainable growth.

Financial inclusion - a situation where individuals and firms have equal access to and usage ofaffordable financial services and products, is widely acknowledged as having the potential inassisting the attainment of equitable economic growth. Specifically, this study identified therange of financial services available to agricultural households in Nigeria, determined thefinancial inclusion status, and examined the factors that influence financial inclusion ofagricultural households in Nigeria. Data for the study were drawn from the fourth wave of theLiving Standard Measurement Study-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture 2018/19. Descriptivestatistics, Probit Regression model (PRM), and Alkire and Foster Method (AFM) were used toanalyse the data. Results show that 76.8% of household heads were male, 72.2% were married,and 77.1% had primary school education with mean age and household size of 49.2 years and6 persons respectively. Specifically, 41.5% of the respondents had bank accounts while 84.9%and 96.2% had no access to credit and insurance policies respectively. AFM revealed that58.2% of the households were financially included. PRM reveals that there was a significantpositive association between households’ financial inclusion and household size (γ = 0.010,p<0.05). Other influencing factors of financial inclusion include; age of household head (γ=0.011, p<0.01); household income (γ = 0.018, p<0.05); possession of phone (γ = 0.168,p<0.05); access to internet (γ = 0.170, p<0.05); being a resident of Southeast (γ = 0.041, p<0.10)and Southwest (γ = - 0.043, p<0.05). As financial inclusion can contribute to poverty alleviationand boost economic growth, improved internet facilities, women- targeted, income, andlocation-specific intervention should be provided for agricultural households in Nigeria so asto enhance their financial inclusion status.

Microplastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges ofthe 21st century, particularly in aquatic ecosystems where it poses significant ecological andhuman health risks. This paper reviews the sources, pathways, and impacts of microplasticcontamination with a focus on their occurrence in fish and aquatic environments such as theLagos and Epe Lagoons in Nigeria. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm, originate from both primary sources (e.g., microbeads, textile fibers) and secondarysources such as the degradation of larger plastic debris. Their persistence enablesbioaccumulation and trophic transfer within aquatic food webs. Ingested by fish and benthicorganisms, microplastics impair growth, reproduction, and immune responses while also actingas vectors for toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), phthalates, andheavy metals. The implications for human health are increasingly concerning as seafoodconsumption and water quality are directly affected. Studies indicate potential links betweenmicroplastic exposure and oxidative stress, inflammation, and carcinogenicity. Lagos Lagoon,heavily impacted by poor waste management and urbanization, exemplifies the socio-economicand ecological costs of microplastic pollution. This paper highlights emerging detectiontechnologies, regulatory gaps, and management strategies including improved wastemanagement, recycling, and public awareness. It concludes with recommendations for multisectoralcollaboration and research to mitigate risks and protect aquatic ecosystems and humanhealth.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex non-communicable metabolic disorder that can lead to serioushealth complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and peripheral neuropathyif not treated early. Its global prevalence is rising, demanding safer and more effectivetherapeutic options. Medicinal plants have long served as sources of bioactive compoundsprecursor to effective drugs against some longstanding diseases. However, there is variabilityin the phytochemical composition of plant material collected from the natural environment,especially due to environmental factors, seasonal changes, and genetic variation, which oftenlimit research reproducibility. This review highlights integration of bioinformatics andbiotechnology may address these challenges and improve drug discovery efficiency.Bioinformatics tools, especially molecular docking and ADMET prediction, enable the easyand quick identification and evaluation of plant-derived compounds targeting key diabeticproteins like insulin receptors, Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase -4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) . These computationalapproaches reduce time, cost, and experimental uncertainty while predicting drug-likeproperties prior to in vitro or in vivo validations. Complementarily, biotechnology techniquessuch as tissue culture ensure the consistent production of genetically stable, disease-free plantmaterials rich in secondary metabolites independent of seasonal or environmental variations.Analytical methods like HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR further aid in compound isolation andcharacterization for further research to validate the potency of the identified and isolatedcompounds. Integration of bioinformatics and biotechnology therefore bridges the traditionalmedicinal plant research and modern drug discovery, ensuring reproducibility, standardization,and biodiversity conservation for antidiabetic drug discovery

This paper presents the development and deployment of a high-performance road safetydetection system using the YOLOv8 architecture to enhance urban traffic safety, directlysupporting Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Thesystem provides real-time detection of vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic infrastructure fromroad scene images. A comparative analysis of YOLOv8 model variants (Nano, Large, andExtra-Large) was conducted to determine the optimal balance between inference speed anddetection accuracy. The YOLOv8x model was selected for the final deployment, achieving anaverage inference time of 1,227ms while detecting an average of 32 objects per scene.However, a critical analysis revealed a significant challenge in pedestrian detection, with a57.1% high-confidence detection rate (8 out of 14 pedestrians), meaning 42.9% require humanverification, highlighting the limitations of current computer vision technology for safetycriticalapplications. The system was deployed as a web application using Streamlit and hostedon Hugging Face Spaces, demonstrating a modern MLOps workflow. This research providesvaluable insights into the practical application of deep learning for road safety, emphasizingthe ethical considerations and the need for multi-modal sensor fusion to overcome thelimitations of purely vision-based systems.

This study examines the capability of traditional machine learning (ML) algorithms to predictthe onset of diabetes using the Pima Indians diabetes dataset. It employed decision trees, naivebayes, k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), and logistic regression classifiers were evaluated using theperformance metrics of accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score and ROC AUC. The data was preprocessedto amend implausible values and stratified sampling was performed to facilitatebalancing classes when splitting the data. The naive bayes algorithm achieves the best accuracy(72.7%) while logistic regression obtains the best class separability (ROC AUC of 0.813). Theproject shows that interpretable models can provide actionable insights for early identification,supporting Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), particularly bypromoting preventive healthcare and informed decision-making in resource-constrainedenvironments.

Fog computing extends cloud services closer to end-users by deploying lightweight computingnodes at the edge of the network. This architectural model decentralizes data processing,storage, and analytics, enabling real-time responsiveness and improving the overall systemperformance. By reducing reliance on centralized cloud data centers, fog computingsignificantly minimizes latency, conserves bandwidth, and enhances availability criticalattributes for time-sensitive and resource-intensive applications. This paradigm is essential forsupporting a wide range of emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT),Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G networks, the metaverse, and Industrial Cyber-PhysicalSystems (CPS). These applications demand rapid decision-making, mobility support, andscalability, all of which are inherently facilitated by fog architecture. For instance, industrialautomation systems and autonomous vehicles rely on fog nodes to make immediate, localizeddecisions without waiting for cloud feedback. However, the integration of fog computing withtraditional cloud systems and advanced digital technologies introduces a range of complexsecurity and privacy challenges. These include the risk of physical compromise of fog nodes,challenges in secure authentication and access control, ensuring data integrity during edgeprocessing, and maintaining user privacy in heterogeneous environments. To address thesevulnerabilities, recent research advocates for a multi-layered, adaptive security framework.Central to this approach is the Zero Trust Security Model, which operates on the principle of"never trust, always verify." It enforces continuous identity verification, context-aware accesscontrol, and least-privilege access across the fog–cloud continuum.

Levels of toxic heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Hg) were determined in surface soilsfrom the Asunle dumpsite (Ibadan, Nigeria), adjacent receptor areas, and a background controlsite using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES).Concentrations for all metals were in the ppb (μg/kg) range and below established residentialsoil limits. However, a consistent gradient was observed: receptor samples concentrationsgreater than dumpsite sample concentrations greater than control sample concentrations,indicating outward migration of contaminants from the waste body. Indices of contamination(e.g., contamination factor, ecological risk factor, and geo-accumulation index) corroboratedanthropogenic enrichment, with receptor soils showing the strongest signals—particularly forPb, Cd, and Cr—despite absolute concentrations remaining low. Site activities such as informalscavenging and dismantling of materials likely contribute to localized hotspots andredistribution. Although current levels do not exceed guideline thresholds, the pattern ofenrichment at receptors highlights the potential for progressive accumulation and associatedecological and health risks. Routine monitoring, improved leachate control, and targetedremediation of receptor soils are recommended to prevent long-term deterioration of soilquality and to protect nearby communities and ecosystems.

Plastic pollution is a critical environmental challenge due to the persistence and nonbiodegradablenature of conventional plastics. Bioplastics, derived from renewable resourcessuch as corn starch and sugarcane, have emerged as sustainable alternatives; however, theirbiodegradability varies widely depending on environmental conditions and microbial activity.Microbial biodegradation, where bacteria and fungi break down bioplastics into simplercompounds like carbon dioxide and water, offers a promising approach to mitigating plasticwaste. Different bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA),exhibit distinct degradation behaviors, with PLA requiring industrial composting conditionsand PHA being more biodegradable in natural environments. Biodegradation is influenced bytemperature, moisture, pH, and the composition of microbial communities, and standardizedtesting methods such as ISO and ASTM provide essential tools for assessment. Despiteprogress, significant gaps remain, including limited studies under real-world conditions,insufficient comparative analyses of different bioplastics, and underdeveloped strategies forenhancing microbial degradation and integrating it into large-scale waste management. Thisreview provides a comprehensive analysis of microbial biodegradation of bioplastics,examining environmental and microbial influences on degradation, comparing differentbioplastic types, evaluating testing methodologies, and exploring strategies to improvedegradation efficiency and practical application. By synthesizing current knowledge andidentifying pathways for improvement, this review aims to inform future research and advancesustainable solutions to plastic pollution.

Young adults are increasingly vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to educational, socialand economic pressures, but stigma and limited access to care often prevent early intervention.This study evaluates the acceptability and performance of a conversational AI-based screeningtool that integrates the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and GeneralizedAnxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales. Using a cross-sectional experimental design, data werecollected from young adults aged 18–35 interacted with the natural language chatbot. A totalof 950 young adults participated in this study, contributing conversational text and standardizedscores. Preprocessed responses were analyzed using a support vector machine (SVM) classifierto distinguish between crisis (+1) and non-crisis (-1) expressions. The model achieved aprecision of 84.07%, recall of 83.62%, and F1 score of 83.84%, confirming its reliability inidentifying emotional distress. Participants reported greater comfort and openness whencommunicating with chatbots compared to traditional self-report formats, indicating increasedengagement and reduced stigma. The findings highlight the potential of conversational AI toimprove early mental health screening and provide accessible, non-judgmental support. Thestudy recommends ethical integration of AI-powered screeners into consultation andtelemedicine systems to expand scalable, privacy-preserving mental health care for youngadults.

The integration of Cloud–IoT ecosystems has accelerated automation and intelligent decisionmakingbut simultaneously introduced critical vulnerabilities that traditional intrusion detectionsystems (IDS) struggle to address. Centralized IDS approaches suffer from scalabilitylimitations, privacy risks, and single points of failure, making them inadequate for highlydistributed IoT environments. Federated Learning (FL) has emerged as a promising paradigmto enhance IDS by enabling collaborative model training without sharing raw data, therebypreserving privacy, reducing communication overhead, and improving detection accuracy. Thissurvey provides a comprehensive review of FL-driven IDS for Cloud–IoT networks, examiningarchitectures, datasets, evaluation metrics, and current methodologies. It discusses state-of-theartsolutions, including cloud–IoT collaboration, hybrid federated frameworks, and privacypreservingmechanisms such as differential privacy and secure aggregation. Key challenges areidentified, including poisoning and inference attacks, client heterogeneity, non-IID data, andthe absence of standardized benchmarks. Future research directions highlight the integration ofFL with edge intelligence, 6G, explainable AI, energy-efficient protocols, and blockchain tobuild robust, transparent, and scalable IDS. Ultimately, FL is positioned as a cornerstone forsecuring next-generation Cloud–IoT infrastructures by balancing performance, privacy, andadaptability.