College of Leadership and Development Studies
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Item DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND BUREAUCRATIC REFORM IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EFFICIENCY(4th International Conference, School of Vommunication and Information Technology,Federal University of Technology Ilaro, 2026) Abasilim, Ugochukwu D.; Peter, Mark J.; Udofia, Anieti N.Abstract Digital transformation has become a central strategy for bureaucratic reform in developing countries, particularly to enhance public-sector efficiency and advance sustainable development. In Nigeria, reforms in payroll management, public procurement, financial systems, digital identity infrastructure, and open government data are widely promoted as mechanisms for modernising the public bureaucracy. However, their capacity to deliver measurable efficiency gains and advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 8, 9, and 16) remains contested. This paper examines the implications of digital transformation for bureaucratic reform and public sector efficiency in Nigeria. Drawing on New Public Management, Institutional Theory, and Sociotechnical Systems Theory, the study adopts a qualitative design based on secondary data, including policy documents, government reports, and existing empirical studies across six reform domains. Findings show that while digital initiatives have improved procedural transparency and standardisation, efficiency gains remain uneven and are constrained by entrenched institutional weaknesses, fragmented governance structures, and limited subnational capacity. The paper argues that a predominantly technocratic reform approach, insufficiently aligned with political and institutional realities, undermines transformative outcomes. The study concludes that without strengthened accountability, institutional coherence, and subnational inclusion, digital transformation in Nigeria risks yielding symbolic rather than substantive improvements in public sector efficiency.Item Between Tradition and Modernity: Patriarchy and Power Dynamics in #ArewaMeToo Discussions on X Platform(Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Volume 7, Number 2,, 2025) Chimuanya, Lily; Uduak-Abasi, UyahBackground: Language is crucial to the production of discourses that legitimize sexual violence and rape since language is a symbolic system of power. It is through such power of discourse, that sexual violence and rape victims form linguistic narratives that enable them to share their experiences. Objective: This research examines the patriarchal, religious, and cultural practices that legitimise sexual violence in Nigeria on the X platform. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative design using Fairclough’s model of Critical Discourse Analysis. Data were purposively gathered and thematically coded. The sampled tweets comprise 100, manually gathered from #ArewaMeToo on X, produced by Nigerians. These tweets were numbered randomly from T1 to T100 based on how the data was gathered. (‘T’ represents tweets). Results: Results indicate that strong religious and cultural explanations underpin the prevalence of rape and sexual violence practices in Northern Nigeria. It also provides evidence that patriarchal power structures enhance these practices. This accounts for the prevalence of certain ideologies that accompany such events, such as the ideology of silence and fear, shame, and stigma. Unique Contribution: This study has revealed how X serves as a platform for users to express opinions on posts made by survivors and victims’ experiences of rape and sexual violence. Conclusion: This study concludes that the conversations on the Nigerian X platform reflect some ideological perspectives and contentions underlying rape and sexual violence as well as reactions showing disapproval for such ideologies. Recommendation: Further studies may embark on a critical discourse analysis of other hashtags that address rape and sexual violence and a critical discourse analysis of gender inequality using other social media platformsItem Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development: An Assessment of the 'One Youth-Two Skills' Scheme in Anambra State, Nigeria(Janna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Volume 7, 2025) Ezebuilo, Paul Chibuike; Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Obiora, Charles Arinze; Ofuonye, Joseph NdubuisiBackground: Youth empowern1ent and development can be achieved through adequate training and empowerment. Perhaps governments implement different programmes to empower their young generation with this in mind. Objective: This study investigates the effect of the 'One Youth-Two Skills' scheme on youth empowern1ent and sustainable development in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select the targeted respondents. Data was sourced through questionnaire copies and participant observation and presented and analysed using inferential statistics, such as frequency tables, mean, and chi-square, to test the hypotheses. Results: The study found that the 'One Youth-Two Skills' scheme has significantly influenced youth empowerment and sustainable development. An effective transfom1ationalleadership style with clearly set goals and good management has helped achieve this. However, insufficient funds, unequal distribution of materials and allocations, and poor monitoring and supervision, among other challenges, are affecting the 'One Youth-Two Skills' youth empowerment and sustainable development in Anambra State. Conclusion: To ensure a strong youth orientation towards economic empowennent and growth, a serious partnership is needed to ensure inclusive policies that invest in youth training. Unique Contribution: This study contributes to the existing literature on the best practices and modalities for ensuring effective youth empowerment and sustainable development in Anambra, Nigeria. Key Recommendations: To attain the aim of empowem1ent, an increase in funds/grants, equitable allocation of resources and materials, more partnerships, collaboration, proper monitoring, and mentorship are needed.Item Soft Power Strategies and Reshaping of Global Affairs: A Comparative Analysis of China and Nigeria in the 21st Century(Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of Poli1tical Science, 2025) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Isaac, Grace UgochiTills study does a comparative analysis of the soft power strategies of China and Nigeria, highlighting their unique resources, approaches, and challenges in the 21"1 century. It explores how China leverages initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, media influence, and cultural diplomacy to assert global influence, while Nigeria struggles to capitalize on its rich cultural heritage. Drawing on reports, literature, and 12 qualitative interviews as primary data, the paper analyses how economic, social, and political factors shape each country's soft power. A key finding reveals that China's centralized coordination enhances its soft power impact, whereas Nigeria's fragmented institutions hinder its effectivenessItem ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY POLICY AND CITIZENS’ RIGHTS IN NIGERIA (2015-2024)(Covenant University Ota, 2025-08) WONOSIKOU, Mohadapwa Hunnoungu; Covenant University DissertationNigeria officially ventured into protecting its cyberspace in 2001 and has enacted its National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy alongside legislative instruments such as the Cybercrimes Act 2015 and the National Data Protection Regulation 2019, to safeguard more than 103 million Internet users. Nonetheless, ongoing debates highlight that these measures may encroach upon fundamental freedoms, underscoring the complex task of balancing national security with individual rights. This study examined the implications of Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and accompanying legislation on the digital rights of its citizens. Grounded in Buzan and Wæver’s Theory of Securitisation, this exploratory research employed a mixed-methods of data collection. A purposive and snowball sample of fifteen stakeholders, including journalists, activists, lawyers, and cybersecurity experts, participated in semi-structured interviews, complemented by document reviews of key policy texts. Thematic analysis was used to organise and categorise emergent themes systematically. Findings revealed that although the national cybersecurity policy and related laws were intended to strengthen data security, their implementation has expanded state surveillance capacities while eroding substantive privacy protections. Cybersecurity provisions have been instrumentalised to legitimise content removals and platform shutdowns, producing a chilling effect on public discourse. Furthermore, rather than explicit legal prohibitions, citizens primarily confront significant implementation gaps and infrastructural barriers that impede equitable Internet access. By presenting a comprehensive empirical study of Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework in a developing-country context, this research provided a unique insight into the security-privacy nexus and the operationalization of securitising discourse. In response, this study proposed, among other recommendations, harmonising policy with international human-rights standards; establishing a robust, independent oversight mechanism; and mandate transparency; and launching sustained digital-rights awareness. This study concluded that aligning Nigeria’s cybersecurity objectives with rigorous rights protections is essential to safeguarding national security while upholding the digital freedoms of all citizens.Item X‑ray of agricultural development programme and food security in Nigeria(Agriculture & Food Security (2025) 14:10, 2025) Atobatele Abolaji; Adamu Ibrahim Suleiman; Oladoyin Anthony Mayowa; Olaoye Olusegun Peter; Dele‑dada MoyosoluwaBackground The level of food security in Ogun State particularly in the rural areas is below the threshold globally as explained by Adekoya. The female-headed households in Ogun State spend more money on the purchase of food items vis-à-vis the male-headed household caused by poor agricultural practices and government highhandedness. Sequel to this problem that the Ogun State government initiated OGADEP in 1986 to provide virile extension and technical services to the farmers with the introduction of many agricultural strategies which inter alia include training of staff, field visits, promotion of dry season food production to enhance food security in the State. To achieve this feat, several mechanisms are also put in place to make the strategies function effectively and efficiently but despite these, food security is still a challenge in Ogun State. Sequel to the backdrop the study seeks to determine the contribution of training of extension agents to food security, examine the contribution of field visit to food security and evaluate the promotion of dry season food production to food security. Results The study gathered data through primary and secondary sources, such as questionnaires, interviews, journals, government gazettes, etc. A Partial Least Square was employed in analyzing the data. The study revealed that training of extension agents, field visit and the promotion of dry season food production did not contribute significantly to food security in Ogun State due to ways the programme is handled. Conclusions Though Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) initiated strategies and mechanisms that will help to achieve sufficiency in food production. Lack of wider coverage is a bane to achieving feats in agricultural development coupled with poor execution of policy. The implication of this is that many farmers end up practicing agriculture traditionally. The study made the recommendation that government should commit more efforts toward the programme to achieve its mission.Item Youth Leadership in Legislation: Assessing Young Legislators' Performance and Challenges in Oyo State, Nigeria(Covenant University Journal of Politics & International Affairs, Special Issue on Leadership and Development, 2025) Omotayo Jeremiah Oluwadara; Abasilim Ugochukwu D.The global underrepresentation of youth in formal political arenas is a pressing issue, particularly in Nigeria, where 74.22% of the population is under 35 years old, yet young people have limited access to legislative roles. The 2018 Not Too Young to Run Act sought to address this by lowering the eligibility age for House of Assembly candidates from 30 to 25 years. This study investigates the performance and challenges of young legislators in the Oyo State House of Assembly, focusing on the 9th Assembly, where 13 out of 32 members were aged between 25 and 40, including one of Nigeria's youngest legislators and speakers. The study employs a mixed-methods approach within a case study research design grounded in leadership competence theory. Data were collected on legislative activities such as attendance, sponsored bills and motions, and matters of urgent public importance from June 2019 to August 2021. Findings reveal that young legislators demonstrated leadership competencies and actively contributed to legislative processes but faced significant challenges, including limited experience in lawmaking and cultural dynamics when engaging with older colleagues. The study concludes that while including youth in legislative roles is a positive step, targeted capacity-building initiatives are essential to enhance their legislative effectiveness. It recommends mentorship programmes and training to equip young legislators with the skills to navigate complex legislative and socio-cultural environments.Item Fostering National Development in Nigeria: The Interplay Between Education and Social Orientation(Journal of Educational and Social Research Vol 15 No 2, 2025-03) Udom Adaeze Charlyn; Gberevbie Daniel E.; Osimen Goddy U.This paper examines the pressing challenges of widespread ignorance in terms of socio-political and economically related issues in Nigeria. Despite its rich natural and human resources, Nigeria still grapples with significant socio-political and economic challenges stemming from inadequate social orientation and functional result-oriented education. The paper contends that redefining educational goals, enhancing teacher training, and integrating civic and media literacy into the curriculum are essential for cultivating a well-informed and engaged citizenry. It explores the roles of government initiatives, community involvement, technology, and strategic partnerships in implementing these Programmes. By prioritizing result-oriented education, Nigeria could leverage its resources and human capital to drive sustainable development, reduce poverty, and foster national cohesion. The study underscores the necessity of collaborative efforts among government officials, the private sector, NGOs, and international donor organizations to present practical strategies for effective implementation of required public policies to achieve Nigeria’s quest for development.Item Leadership Deficit and the Monday Sit- at-Home in Southeast Region of Nigeria(Special Issue on Leadership and Development, 2025-03) Duruji M. M.; Ezebuilo PaulThe Southeast region of Nigeria has been grappling with persistent socio-political challenges since the Fourth Republic dispensation started in 1999. However, one of the most enduring challenges is the enforcement of a "Monday sit-at-home" order, initially issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a form of protest, but has taken a life of itself since the Federal Government of Nigeria rendered Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya and incarcerated him in Directorate of State Security dungeon in Abuja since August 2021. The phenomenon which has remained unresolved by the governments at both the region and at the centre has led to significant economic disruptions and heightened insecurity in the region. At the heart of this lingering challenge in the region, lies a critical leadership deficit, characterized by the inability of political and traditional leaders to effectively address the root causes of the unrest and provide sustainable solutions. This paper explored the multifaceted dimensions of the leadership vacuum in the Southeast and attributed the lingering crisis to such a gap. It examined how the phenomenon exacerbated the region's instability and the helplessness of the government to nip it in the bud. The paper analyzes the interplay between ineffective governance, lack of public trust, and the rise of non-state actors filled the leadership void. The paper used documented materials and textual review of the sit-at-home, policy responses, and community impacts, to explain the effect of leadership deficit in the region. The paper underscored the urgent need for robust leadership and strategic engagement of leadership with the people at the grassroot to restore normalcy and foster long-term peace and development that not only impacts positively on the region but in the country as a whole.