About the Journal The Zaria Sociological Journal is a premier academic publication dedicated to advancing sociological research, theory, and practice with a particular emphasis on African contexts and global perspectives. Established to provide a platform for rigorous scholarly discourse, the journal publishes high-quality research that contributes to our understanding of social phenomena, structures, and processes. The journal particularly welcomes works that: Address contemporary social issues and challenges. Highlight African sociological perspectives and indigenous knowledge systems. Provide interdisciplinary approaches that enrich the understanding of society. Offer policy-relevant insights that can inform governance and development. Publication Frequency Bi-annual (June & December) ISSN 2756-4521 (Print) 2756-453X (Online) Publisher Department of Sociology, ABU, Zaria Language English Our journal serves as a bridge between African sociological scholarship and the global academic community, fostering dialogue and collaboration across cultural and geographical boundaries. We are committed to publishing research that not only meets the highest academic standards but also addresses pressing social issues and contributes to policy formation and social development. Mission Statement: To promote excellence in sociological research by providing a forum for innovative scholarship that enhances our understanding of social life, promotes social justice, and contributes to the advancement of sociological knowledge globally.
ANALYSIS OF THE PATTERNS OF CRIME AMONG AWAITING TRIAL INMATES IN SELECTED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN NIGERIA
The criminal patterns of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) at three particular Nigerian correctional facilities - Ikoyi Correctional Facility, Enugu Central Correctional Facility, and Kano Central Correctional Facility are investigated in this study. Based on information gathered by Prison Reform Advocacy and Welfare Action (PRAWA), the study examines differences in the types of offences for which ATIs are detained across these three places, which are socio-culturally and geographically distinct. The results show notable regional differences: rape cases were highest in Kano at 18.3%, compared to 4.5% in Enugu and 4.4% in Ikoyi; armed robbery accounted for 37.0% of ATIs in Enugu, compared to 17.2% in Kano and 10.2% in Ikoyi; and drug abuse offences were most common in Kano (7.5%) and Ikoyi (7.2%).Crime Pattern Theory, which connects the spatial distribution of offences to the social, economic, and environmental structures of each area, is used to analyse these differences. To better address these patterns, the study suggests greater inter-agency cooperation, increased use of non-custodial punishment, and contextualised, environment-centred crime-control solutions.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND IMPLICATIONS OF GIRLCHILD LABOUR: A STUDY OF SOME COMMUNITIES OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA.
Governmental and non-governmental organisations have made concerted efforts to combat the menace of child labour. Still, millions of children across the globe continue to be involved in work that adversely affects not only their schooling but also their overall socio-economic development, especially in developing countries.This study investigated the socio-economic drivers and implications of girl child involvement in agricultural activities in fifteen communities of Kebbi State, where girls aged 5– 15 years are involved in agricultural activities that deny their education and expose them to health hazards.The study adopted a liberal feminist theoretical approach to guide the study. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were employed, coupled with the administration of a questionnaire and focus group discussions on the target population. Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) andATLAS.ti 9 software were used for the analysis and presentation of quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Findings from the study revealed that preparation for early marriage, poverty, peer pressure, shared traditional belief, support to the family, cheap labour, lack of male child in the family, rural neglect, large family size and being an orphan were the socio-economic drivers of girls’ involvement in child labour, thereby exposing them to economic exploitation, sexual assaults, dangerous animals and school dropout. Standing on the principle of the adopted theoretical framework, this study recommends that the socio-economic and cultural roots of girl child labour should be tackled through social reforms in the form of, poverty alleviation, welfare services and reform of cultural norms and values that favour girl child labour.
SIGNIFICANCE OF FINGERPRINT TECHNIQUES IN CONDUCTING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE
Globally, criminal investigation has progressively shifted from traditional practices such as reliance on confessions, informants, and eyewitness accounts to forensic techniques that enhance objectivity, reliability, and evidentiary integrity. Thus, this study examined the significance of fingerprint techniques in the criminal justice system, within criminal investigation activities conducted by the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP). The study adopted a longitudinal survey research design from 2020 to 2025.A sample size of 346 was selected using Kregel's and Morgan's sample determination table. A total of 300 questionnaires and 46 in-depth interviews were conducted on the selected respondents. Of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 295 were successfully retrieved (a retrieval rate of 98.3%) and deemed suitable for analysis and interpretation. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were transcribed and thematically analysed in line with the study objectives. The findings revealed a strong relationship between fingerprint techniques and effective criminal investigation within the NACMP, in identifying suspects and exonerating innocent persons through the uniqueness of fingerprint evidence. The study found that the NACMP has made notable efforts to integrate fingerprint techniques, including establishing two forensic laboratories, procuring fingerprint equipment, and implementing capacity-building initiatives. Despite these efforts, the use of fingerprint techniques remains at a developmental stage. The study recommended the establishment and equipping of additional forensic laboratories across NACMP provost divisions and commands, as well as advanced specialised training for forensic personnel, and inter-departmental sharing of relevant personnel databases.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL POWER AND THE SECURITY DILEMMA OF GOVERNANCE: REGIME PRESERVATION, POLITICAL INSTABILITY, AND THE CRISIS OF PEACEBUILDING IN AFRICA
Across many African states, recurring insecurity, democratic fragility, economic inequality, inefficient development and stalled peace processes reveal a deeper structural crisis embedded within governance systems. This work interrogates how unconstitutional configurations of power generate a governance-based peace and security dilemma in which political elites prioritise regime preservation over and above the collective welfare of citizens, thereby reinforcing cycles of instability. Conceptually grounded in political sociology and normative theories of authority, the study defines illegitimate power as the erosion of consent, accountability, and moral justification in public rule, when authority loses its ethical foundation, state institutions increasingly rely on coercion, patronage, and exclusionary practices to maintain control, weakening institutional credibility and intensifying societal grievances. Using a qualitative comparative design supported by documentary analysis and selected African case illustrations, the article demonstrates that the persistence of political instability is not merely the product of limited state capacity but of fractured legitimacy and distorted state–society relations. The analysis shows how distrust in governance institutions fuels protest movements, electoral disputes, elite fragmentation, and, in some cases, violent contestation. These dynamics undermine long-term peacebuilding initiatives by reproducing insecurity from within the political system itself. The study concludes that sustainable peace in Africa requires reconstructing authority around ethical accountability, participatory inclusion, and renewed social compacts, rather than relying on securitised governance frameworks that treat instability as a threat to be suppressed rather than a symptom to be resolved.
TRENDS IN UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN NIGERIA, 1990-2024: EVIDENCE FROM SUCCESSIVE NDHS ROUNDS
Maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, largely reflecting suboptimal utilisation of essential maternal healthcare services. This study examines long-term trends in the utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) from skilled providers, skilled birth attendance (SBA), and timely postnatal care (PNC) among women of reproductive age in Nigeria, using evidence exclusively from successive rounds of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted between 1990 and 2024. Drawing on nationally representative and methodologically comparable survey data, the study synthesises national-level trends and key socio-demographic differentials across more than three decades. Findings indicate modest but uneven progress. Skilled birth attendance increased steadily from 32% in 1990 to 46% in 2023-24, while timely postnatal care rose from 30% in 2008 to 43% in the most recent survey. In contrast, antenatal care from skilled providers showed fluctuations, rising to 67% in 2018 before declining to 63% in 2023-24, suggesting challenges in sustaining earlier gains. Across all survey rounds, pronounced disparities persist by place of residence, geopolitical zone, household wealth, and maternal education. Utilisation rates are consistently higher among urban, wealthier, and better-educated women, and substantially lower in rural areas and in the northern geopolitical zones. The findings demonstrate that national improvements in maternal healthcare utilisation have not translated into equitable access. Despite gradual increases in SBA and PNC, coverage levels remain inadequate to meet thetargets of Sustainable Development Goal 3.1. The study underscores the need for regionally targeted, equity-focused maternal health interventions that strengthen access, continuity, and quality of care, particularly among underserved populations. By relying exclusively on NDHS data, this analysis provides a consistent and policy-relevant evidence base for monitoring progress and informing strategies to reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria.
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES IN ADDRESSING INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s persistent insecurity crisis, which includes terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and armed insurgency, has exposed a lingering failure by the government to achieve its core obligation of protecting its citizens. Within the social contract tradition, state legitimacy depends on its capacity to protect (Hobbes, 1651; Locke, 1689), a capacity that the Nigerian government has consistently struggled to do. Since modern surveillance technologies have shown measurable reductions in crime in other contexts, academic attention to how these tools have been governed and deployed in Nigeria remains limited. This study assesses the role of surveillance technologies, especially closed-circuit television (CCTV), biometric systems, facial recognition platforms, and predictive policing tools, in addressing Nigeria’s insecurity challenges. The study also identifies the institutional, legal, and technical obstacles that limit their effective use. The study relies on qualitative document analysis and thematic coding (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of peer-reviewed literature, official policy documents, and international security reports from 2005 to 2023. It is anchored in structural functionalist theory (Parsons, 1951). Findings from the study show that while these technologies have worked in similar settings, their use in Nigeria has been fragmented, underfunded, and poorly governed. The primary obstacle is weak institutional capacity rather than a shortage of technology. The study therefore recommends a phased, governance-centred national surveillance framework supported by the right legislation, sustained budget commitment and mandatory capacity building across security agencies.
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Hypertension is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. However, a large number of people living with the condition do not seek medical care regularly or manage it properly. This study looked at how socio-demographic factors, specifically sex, age, educational level, marital status, religion, ethnic background, income, and occupation, influence health-seeking behaviour among hypertensive adults in Niger State. The Health Belief Model and the Political Economy of Health framework guided the study. A mixed-method cross-sectional design was used, combining a survey of 383 hypertensive adults drawn from three senatorial zones in Niger State with qualitative interviews involving selected patients and healthcare providers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results showed that sex, educational level, ethnic background, income, and occupation were significant predictors of health-seeking behaviour. Respondents with higher income had about four times the odds of being hypertensive. In contrast, those with higher educational attainment had about twice the odds, suggesting that lifestyle changes associated with better socioeconomic standing may be driving the risk. Male respondents showed higher odds of hypertension than females, and certain ethnic groups were less likely to be affected. People whose jobs made it difficult to attend regular clinic appointments were also significantly more likely to develop hypertension. Age, marital status, and religion did not emerge as significant predictors. The study concludes that a combination of personal circumstances and structural inequalities shapes health-seeking behaviour in Niger State. Interventions that combine health education, improved access to affordable care, and attention to the population's economic realities are needed to improve hypertension management in the state.
PERCEPTION OF INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AMONG RESIDENTS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
Inequality and social justice remain core concerns of sociological inquiry, as they directly affect human well-being, development, and social stability. Across the world, disparities in income, wealth, political power, access to education, healthcare, and legal protection have led to complex challenges that continue to shape human societies. The justice system, often seen as the ultimate safeguard for fairness and equity, is deeply interwoven with issues of inequality. Relative Deprivation and Procedural Justice theories were used to explain the research. The survey used a quantitative research method, with data collected via a questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was employed, with a sample size of 396 respondents, based on Cochran’s formula. Findings reveal a strong perceived link between inequality and social justice among residents of Kaduna state. The chi-square test examining the relationship between educational level and perception of fairness in the justice system reveals a statistically significant association (χ² = 22.45, d.f = 8, p = 0.004). The government should strengthen accountability by ensuring that institutions saddled with justice discharge their duties without bias, thereby improving transparency in justice administration in the state.
RURAL KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM: TRENDS, CAUSES AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES IN NIGERIA
Over a decade, kidnapping for ransom (KFR) has emerged as one of the most disruptive security challenges that Nigeria faces in the 21st century. Once localised to oil-producing regions in the Niger Delta, KFR has spread to rural hinterlands in Nigeria, thereby engulfing rural agricultural communities in the North-West, North-Central, North-East, and, more recently, the South-East geopolitical regions. The goal of this study is to produce a holistic description of trends in rural kidnapping for ransom, causal predictors, and the community response process taking place in Nigeria. The methodology used for this study is based on documentary analysis, utilising primary sources of data, including government reports, international organisations' categories, media monitoring databases, evaluations of non-governmental organisations, and peer-reviewed academic literature published between 2014 and 2024. The study shows that there is a clear indication of a sharp increase in the number of kidnapping incidents directly related to rural areas over the last ten years. On the one hand, in the 2018-2019 biennium, they reached about 1,008 cases; on the other hand, 3,533 were reported in the 2022-2023 period. The cumulative ransom paid is estimated at 141.9 million US dollars during the study period.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS ON INTERNAL SECURITY IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
In recent years, the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has become a growing threat to peace, stability, and internal security across many parts of Nigeria, including Kwara State. This study investigates the major sources and drivers of SALW proliferation, examines the roles of state and non-state actors in mitigating or exacerbating the spread of illicit weapons, and explores how the availability of SALW contributes to emerging security challenges within the state. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of this multidimensional security problem. A total sample of 384 civilian respondents was selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques, while purposive sampling guided the selection of security officials for interviews. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS (version 25), while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to enrich and contextualise the numerical results. Findings revealed that porous borders, artisanal gun production, political thuggery, corruption among security operatives, and the activities of criminal networks are major contributors to the proliferation of SALW in Kwara State. The study also discovered that although security agencies such as the police, military, customs, and community vigilante groups contribute to arms control, these efforts are undermined by inadequate resources, weak coordination, and institutional gaps. The availability of SALW seriously fuels armed robbery, kidnapping, cult violence, and general insecurity, thereby weakening public safety and hindering development. The study identified several state and non-state responses, including police patrols, joint military operations, border surveillance, community vigilance groups, and public awareness campaigns. However, challenges such as limited funding, poor inter-agency collaboration, weak community engagement, and insufficient technological support persist. The study concludes that SALW proliferation is a complex and systemic issue driven by socio-economic, political, and security-related factors. It recommends strengthening border control, enhancing community-security collaboration, improving intelligence gathering, and promoting youth empowerment initiatives to reduce the demand and supply of illegal weapons in Kwara State.
HISTORICISING HAUSA URBAN LYRICAL DEVELOPMENT: CONTEXTUALISING THE HASAN WAYAM SONGS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN NIGERIAN MUSIC CULTURE
This paper explored the historical trajectory of Hausa urban lyrical traditions, with particular emphasis on the sociocultural and musical contributions of Hasan Wayam to Northern Nigerian music culture. Drawing upon accounts, musicological analyses and historical documentation, the study traced the evolution of Hausa urban music from precolonial palace traditions through the colonial period and into the post-independence era. The article argued that Hasan Wayam's musical practice represented a critical juncture in the preservation and transformation of traditional Hausa kukuma (fiddle) music within urbanising contexts. By analysing Hasan Wayam's lyrical content, performance techniques and instrumental innovation, this study demonstrated how his work mediated between rural oral traditions and urban modernity, thereby establishing a template for subsequent generations of Hausa musicians. The findings contributed to broader scholarly conversations regarding the resilience of African traditional communication and indigenous Hausa musicological forms amid socio-political transformation, as well as the role of individual artistic agency in sociocultural preservation.
GENDER AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL OF SOCIAL INCLUSIVITY STRATEGIES
This study examines the social forces that drive gender and social exclusion, the conditions that mitigate inequality, and the strategies that can promote inclusive social transformation. Gender and social inequalities in Nigeria are deeply embedded in everyday social relations, power structures, and institutional arrangements. These inequalities are produced, reproduced and perpetuated by diverse factors. Using secondary data, relevant academic literature, and policy documents, inequality was analysed through a socio-ecological lens to capture how it operates across interconnected levels of social life, including family, community, institutions, and the state. The findings indicate that cultural norms and structural barriers reinforce exclusion, while inclusion is strengthened by egalitarian socialisation, community dialogue, institutional reform, and coordinated policy action. The study recommends that sustained efforts at both formal and informal levels be encouraged to bridge the gender inequality gap, and that the government and non-governmental organisations design new programmes and policies to promote gender equity and social inclusion in Nigeria.
PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS’ TREATMENT ON PATIENT SATISFACTION AND SERVICE UTILISATION: EVIDENCE FROM KAURA GOJE PHC, NASSARAWA LGA, KANO STATE, NIGERIA
This study investigated the psychosocial impact of healthcare practitioners’ treatment on patient satisfaction and service utilisation at Kaura Goje Primary Health Care (PHC) in the Nassarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, Nigeria. The study was guided by Donabedian's (1966) Structure-Process-Outcome model of healthcare quality and Rosenstock's (1974) Health Belief Model (HBM), positing that care quality is determined by the interplay of structural conditions (resources, staffing, infrastructure), process elements (interpersonal interactions, clinical procedures), and patient outcomes (satisfaction, well-being, utilisation behaviour).The objectives were to assess the quality of practitioner treatment, examine its psychosocial effects on patients, evaluate patient satisfaction, and determine the relationship between practitioner treatment and patient outcomes. A convergent mixed-methods descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 112 patients selected through a systematic sampling technique and five healthcare practitioners through in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression (MLR), while qualitative responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that overall patient satisfaction was moderate (x̄ = 3.78), with emotional satisfaction recording the lowest mean score (x̄ = 3.65). Regression analysis showed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between practitioner treatment and patient satisfaction, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Psychosocial factors explained 62% of the variance in patient satisfaction (R² = 0.62), with psychosocial well-being emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.48). The study concluded that the quality of interpersonal interaction between healthcare practitioners and patients is a critical determinant of satisfaction and continued service utilisation. The study recommends recruiting additional healthcare personnel, implementing effective drug supply management to prevent stock-outs, and providing regular training for health practitioners in empathetic communication and psychosocial care to enhance patient-centred healthcare delivery.
CHANGING-GENDER IN POLITICAL INCLUSION (PRECOLONIAL-POSTCOLONIAL PERIOD): A STUDY OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
The political inclusion of the ethnic groups of Kogi State, Nigeria, during the pre-colonial time disappeared with colonialism. The positions of female chiefs and the advisory role of wives declined. The emerging political system sidelines intelligent contributions to society's decision-making that can only come from women's experience. Therefore, it denies observations needed to make decisions that can contribute to achieving social order. This raises the question of who the beneficiaries of changing gender dynamics in political inclusion are. To find an answer, this paper adopts two objectives: 1) it examines Nigerian policies made in the male-dominated government in achieving social order, and 2) it finds out the beneficiaries of changing gender roles in policymaking. Related literature was reviewed, and liberal feminism served as the explanatory framework. The data was generated through a survey, in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and documentary searches. The survey data were analysed using descriptive analysis. IDI, FGD, and documentary data were analysed using content analysis. The findings indicate that policies made in the male-dominated government induced poverty among most Nigerians. The findings also indicate that the beneficiaries of the shift toward gender-inclusive policymaking are manufacturers of sophisticated imported products. The paper then concludes that changing gender in political inclusion is a social problem that requires modification of the political system. It recommends political inclusion (revival of women as advisers to their husbands and the government at large) that yields functional policies, and the development and implementation of economic policies that benefit the natives.
SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AMONG INDEPENDENT OIL AND GAS MARKETERS IN TSOUTH-WESTERNGEO-POLITICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA
This study examined the relationship between social media usage and customer acquisition among independent oil and gas marketers in Southwest Nigeria. This is against the backdrop that existing studies largely focus on consumer goods, banking, and telecommunications, leaving a gap in understanding how independent oil and gas marketers operating in a highly competitive and trust-sensitive environment leverage social media for customer acquisition. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 376 independent oil and gas marketers across five major depots in Southwest Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of hours spent on social media on customer acquisition. The findings reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between social media usage and customer acquisition (β = 0.15, p < 0.001). Each additional hour spent on social media increased the odds of customer acquisition by approximately 16%. Marketers who invested 15–20 hours per week on social media recorded substantially higher probabilities of customer acquisition than those with minimal engagement. Based on these findings, the study recommends that independent oil and gas marketers adopt structured and sustained social media strategies and that industry associations provide digital marketing
PREVALENCE AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN SABON GARI AREA OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Alcohol consumption remains a major public health and social concern due to its association with behavioural, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences. Although previous studies have examined alcohol use in various parts of Nigeria, limited empirical attention has been devoted to understanding the interaction between alcohol availability, socio-environmental conditions, and self-reported psychological experiences within the Sabon Gari area of Kano. This study, therefore, investigated the prevalence and socio-environmental determinants of alcohol consumption in Sabon Gari, Kano State. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews to obtain quantitative and qualitative data from 300 respondents and selected key informants. Multistage cluster sampling and purposive sampling techniques were employed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test), while qualitative responses were analysed thematically. Findings revealed a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among respondents (79%). Inferential analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between alcohol consumption and availability (χ² = 11.40, p = 0.001), price (χ² = 42.93, p < 0.001), proximity (χ² = 39.86, p < 0.001), and peer influence (χ² = 41.01, p < 0.001). Respondents also reported experiences such as depression, insomnia, memory loss, and reduced cognitive functioning following alcohol use; however, these outcomes were based on subjective self-reports rather than clinical diagnoses. The study concludes that socio-environmental dynamics and accessibility factors strongly shape alcohol consumption within the area. Therefore, community sensitisation programmes and targeted public health interventions are recommended.
DRUG TRAFFICKING: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE OFFENSIVE ACTION PROGRAMME OF THE NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Despite every effort to put drug trafficking under control in Nigeria, it appears to continue unabated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)'s Offensive Action Programme in curbing drug-related activities across Nigeria. It examines key performance indicators, including the number of arrests, drug seizures, prosecutions, and the dismantling of drug syndicates, between 2021 and 2023. This is done using secondary data sources and methods, and the analysis of official records. E.M. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory, which describes how an idea gradually gains momentum and diffuses (or spreads) within a particular social system, was adopted as the study's framework. The findings highlight challenges in Nigeria's anti-drug trafficking initiative, including legal loopholes, corruption, and inadequate funding, and the study recommends enhanced inter-agency collaboration, strengthened legislation, and increased intelligence investment.
WORKPLACE POLICY AND EMPLOYEES’ ENGAGEMENT: A STUDY OF SELECTED ORGANISATIONS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.
The work examines Workplace Policies and Employee Engagement: A study of selected organisations in Delta State, Nigeria. The following objective guided the study: to examine the presence of workplace policies on employee engagement; to identify key workplace policies that enhance employee motivation and commitment; to analyse the challenges organisations face in implementing effective workplace policies; and to suggest strategies for improving workplace policies to foster employee engagement. Three basic theories were analysed and adopted for the study: Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, and Social Exchange Theory (SET).The survey research design was employed in this study; two hundred respondents (200) who were interviewed provided information for the study. Questionnaires and interviews were the major data-collection methods. The data analysis for the study was conducted using a simple descriptive frequency table. The primary and secondary sources of data collection were the primary means by which this work is anchored. The study reported several findings, including the presence of workplace policies. The study reveals that there are workplace policies across various organisations. Forms of workplace policies: Three major policies were identified: Health and Safety, Maternal and Child, and Environmental Policy. The effectiveness of workplace Policies. It was found that, despite the policies in various organisations, these policies are not effective in practice. Various recommendations were made, including: well-structured workplace policies; selecting diverse organisations; considering employee standpoints; examining organisational performance; and exploring policy implementation challenges.
INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE TREATMENT OF THE ELDERLY IN ZARIA CITY, KADUNA STATE
Population ageing in low- and middle-income countries is accelerating without corresponding development of social welfare systems, leaving many older adults vulnerable to mistreatment. In Nigeria, especially Northern regions such as Zaria, economic hardship, weakened extended-family structures, and limited institutional support heighten the risks of elder abuse. This study examines the prevalence, forms, causes, and consequences of elder abuse in Zaria City, Kaduna State. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 123 older adults through questionnaires and five in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that while many elderly persons live with family members, a significant proportion experience various forms of abuse, including verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and financial deprivation. Poverty, lack of morality and proper socialisation, widowhood, childlessness, and health challenges were identified as major drivers of abuse. The consequences reported include depression, loneliness, social withdrawal, and deteriorating health. Although care is primarily provided by family members, economic strain often undermines caregiving capacity. Respondents highlighted the need for government intervention, enlightenment campaigns, improved home training, pension reform, and the establishment of old age homes. The study concludes that elder abuse in Zaria is shaped by socio-economic and structural vulnerabilities and calls for culturally sensitive policies that reinforce family support while expanding formal protection systems.
A STUDY ON PROSTITUTION AMONG FEMALES IN HADEJIA METROPOLIS OF JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
This study examines prostitution in Hadejia Metropolis of Jigawa State, Nigeria, with the aim of understanding its nature, underlying causes, and socio-economic consequences. Despite numerous efforts by successive military and civilian administrations in Nigeria to curb prostitution through policy formulation and social interventions, the problem persists in many urban centres, including Hadejia. The study was guided by the Social Control Theory as advanced by Travis Hirschi (1969) and Jeremy Bentham (1748–1831), which emphasizes the role of social institutions and societal norms in regulating deviant behaviour.A mixed-method research design was adopted. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to selected respondents within Hadejia metropolis, while in-depth interviews were conducted withcommunity leaders and relevant stakeholders. Secondary data were obtained from academic literature, reports, and relevant documents. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequencies and percentages, while the qualitative data were analysed thematically to complement the survey findings.The findings of the study reveal that several socio-economic and family factors contribute significantly to the prevalence of prostitution in Hadejia metropolis. These include poverty, unemployment, parental neglect, broken homes, forced marriage, inadequate parental care, frustration arising from economic hardship, and peer group influence. The study further reveals that prostitution has significant social, health and economic implications, including the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, moral decadence, increased crime rates, drug abuse and addiction, unwanted pregnancies, illegal abortion, premature death, and the rise of single motherhood.The study concludes that prostitution in Hadejia metropolis is largely driven by structural socio-economic challenges and weakened social control mechanisms within families and communities. It therefore recommends the enforcement of strict legal measures against prostitution, increased public awareness campaigns, poverty alleviation and empowerment programs, improved access to education, and stronger family and community support systems.
A REVIEW ON THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CITIZENS' DISTRUST IN THE POLICE IN NIGERIA
Police have been a subject of discourse among scholars and citizens. In the last three decades (1994–2024), Nigerians have expressed concerns about the conduct of some officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) due to their involvement in unprofessional acts, resulting in negative attitudes and diminished confidence in the NPF. Thus, this paper reviews the causes and consequences of citizens’ distrust in the police in Nigeria. The paper draws on a systematic desk review of secondary data from official reports, peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and credible online resources, thereby synthesising patterns and insights across multiple perspectives. The objectives of the paper are to examine the factors responsible for citizens’ distrust of the NPF and to investigate its consequences. The paper is anchored on the Social Constructivism Theory by Lev Vygotsky (1934), which provides a framework for understanding how citizens’ past interactions with the police shape their attitudes and perceptions. The paper’s findings indicate that unethical conduct by certain police officers, along with insufficient training and limited professional development opportunities within the NPF, significantly contributes to citizens’ distrust. Furthermore, the paper reveals that the major consequence of citizens’ distrust in the police is the creation of a negative image of the NPF. The paper recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NPF authorities provide regular, compulsory capacity-building programmes for all police officers, combat unethical practices within the NPF, and conduct enlightenment campaigns to improve citizens' trust in the NPF.
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