Socialscientia: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Flood and Erosion Control Measures of the Cross River Basin Development Authority’s

2025-11-10T16:42:42+00:00

Flooding and erosion present severe environmental and socio-economic challenges in Cross River State, threatening agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and food security. This study examines measures implemented by the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) to control flood and erosion, assessing their effectiveness and implications for farmers. Using a structured questionnaire administered to farming communities, data were analyzed with simple percentages and standard deviation. Findings indicate that while CRBDA has introduced certain structural and non-structural interventions, flooding remains a persistent problem across the state. Farmers overwhelmingly reported recurrent crop destruction, loss of livelihoods, and in some cases, loss of lives due to flood disasters. The study also revealed that flood and erosion significantly disrupt business activities, highlighting the broad economic consequences of inadequate interventions. The results underscore weaknesses in institutional capacity, poor maintenance culture, and limited community participation in flood control projects. Anchored on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Food Security Model, the study concludes that CRBDA’s measures are insufficient for building resilience. It recommends integrated flood management, community participation, climate-smart agriculture, and stronger institutional accountability to ensure sustainable flood/erosion control and enhance food security in Cross River State.

Access and Utilization of Healthcare in Rural Areas of Delta State Senatorial District, Nigeria

2025-11-10T15:37:47+00:00

This study examines healthcare utilization and access across rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria, encompassing the three senatorial districts of Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South. Access to healthcare in these regions is constrained by structural, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates state-level health policies, empirical research, and national survey data, the study identifies major barriers to healthcare access, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, financial hardship, cultural reliance on traditional medicine, and the environmental consequences of oil exploration. Findings reveal significant inter-district disparities, with riverine communities in Delta South facing the most severe challenges due to geographic isolation and environmental degradation. The study advances a series of policy recommendations to promote healthcare equity and utilization across the state. These include strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) system, expanding community-based health insurance schemes, providing incentives to attract and retain health workers in rural areas, integrating informal healthcare providers into formal systems, and mitigating environmental health risks. Overall, the research underscores the need for a comprehensive and context-sensitive policy framework that addresses the complex determinants of healthcare access in rural area of Delta State, thereby fostering inclusive and sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.

Parental Poverty and Girl Child in Sex Trade in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-11-10T16:34:11+00:00

The moneymaking sexual corruption of children constitutes one of the most grievous violations of human rights. The menace of sexual exploitation of children in Africa due to poor socioeconomic conditions is a worrisome omen, which must be fought by all stakeholders. This study was about the examination of the connection between parental poverty and girl child involvement in the sex trade in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. It equally investigated how economic deprivation in families influences the vulnerability of female children to sexual exploitation. This inquiry adopted mixed research design and survey method of data gathering, which comprises of questionnaire and interview techniques for data collection. The study discovered that the socioeconomic conditions of a household and parental education attainment levels are strongly correlated with the risk of minors entering commercial sexual activities in the study area. It also identified multiple pathways through which poverty increases vulnerability, which include, educational discontinuation of the young girls, family pressure, and limited economic opportunities. Based on the findings of this work, the researchers recommended that the government at all levels, donor agencies and well spirited individuals should as a matter of urgent concern donate toward poverty alleviation programmes and educational support schemes, so as to contain the ugly trend in the study area.

Separatist Agitation, Infrastructure Development and Business Operations in Nigeria’s Southeast Zone

2025-11-10T15:32:24+00:00

This paper examined the interface between separatist agitation in the Southeast and infrastructure development as well as business operations in the zone. Separatist agitation in the Southeast has remained at the front burner, leading to the creation of Eastern Security Network – ESN, increased presence of the military in the zone, as well as violence and tension which culminated in a forced Monday sit-at-home since 2021. Looking at these issues, the paper interrogates how the Southeast’s separatist agitation has impacted infrastructure development and business operations in the Southeast zone. Using the qualitative research design, the paper relied on data generated from Key Informant Interview – KII and Focused Group Discussion – FGD, as well as data from various reliable secondary sources, to arrive at the conclusions of the paper. The Structural Functional Theory was used as the paper’s framework of analysis. Findings show that the latest separatist agitation is remarkably detrimental on the Southeast’s infrastructure development, as well as business operations. The Monday sit-at-home has caused significant losses across the zone. Also, the security concerns and tension arising from the separatist agitation were found to be significantly consequential on the infrastructure development and business operation in the Southeast. The paper recommended that the governors of the Southeast should jointly address the insecurity and tensions arising from the agitation. That the zone must, device a means of strategic communication to address these issues, among others.

Policy Effectiveness and Regional Trade

2025-11-10T16:28:47+00:00

This study critically examines the effectiveness of the Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) in promoting intra-regional trade in West Africa between 2012 and 2022. Despite the long-standing recognition of trade integration as a driver of regional development, intra-regional trade in West Africa remains comparatively modest, accounting for a limited share of total trade flows. The BIAT Action Plan, adopted by the African Union in 2012, was designed to address structural barriers to trade by focusing on policy clusters such as trade facilitation, productive capacity, trade-related infrastructure, finance, and market integration. Using a mixed-methods approach, this paper combines documentary analysis, trade statistics, and secondary literature to evaluate the extent to which BIAT has influenced trade flows, reduced barriers, and fostered integration across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Findings suggest that while the Action Plan has generated awareness of the need for harmonized trade policies and has spurred some progress in customs cooperation and infrastructure development, its overall effectiveness in significantly boosting intra-regional trade has been limited. Persistent challenges—including inadequate transport and energy infrastructure, overlapping regional trade regimes, low productive capacity, and the prevalence of informal cross-border trade—continue to constrain progress. The paper argues that the BIAT Action Plan has laid an important policy foundation but has not yet translated into transformative trade outcomes in West Africa. Strengthening implementation mechanisms, addressing structural bottlenecks, and ensuring greater synergy with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are critical for enhancing its future effectiveness.

Multi-Partism in the Third Universal Theory, the Deployment of Instruments of Alienation and People’s Participation in the Conduct of the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria.

2025-11-10T16:17:06+00:00

This study interrogated the popular participation in the conduct of representative democratic elections in Nigeria against the backdrop of the tenets of Muammar Gaddafi’s Third Universal Theory with keen emphasis on the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. Specifically, it identified how the multi-Partism in Nigeria’s representative democratic system were a critical factor in people’s participation in the conduct of the 2023 general elections. While literature abound, interrogating the place of the multi-party instrument of governance in representative democracy, efforts have not been made to examine the impacts of the activities of this institution on popular participation in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, hence this study. Adopting a critical qualitative research design, the paper relied on secondary source of data collection, and employed the textual analytical technique to present and analyze collected data. While relying on critical and logical sense of evidences, the study established that the Multi-Partism in Nigeria’s Representative Democratic System, through the deployment of the instruments of alienation such as zoning, consensus candidacy among others, affected popular participation in the conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and National Development

2025-11-10T16:04:20+00:00

Foreign Policy is a country’s strategic relation with countries and agencies of international system. A policy of tact and strategy for the actualization of enormous expectations of the national interest of a sovereign state. From this assertion, this paper examined and assessed foreign policy of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its essence to national development. The research design of this paper is qualitative in data collection and analysis. The study revealed positive indications and failures that trailed the conduct of Nigerian foreign policy under Buhari’s administration towards national development between 2015 and 2023. From these findings, the paper recommends for the redefinition of Nigeria foreign policy (in thrust, strategy and drive), enhanced purposeful foreign collaboration among other measures to respond meaningfully to the expectations of national development.

Influence of Mass Media on Teenage Sexuality in Ika North-East L.G.A

2025-11-10T15:58:23+00:00

This study explores the influence of mass media on teenage sexuality among social media users in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Social Learning Theory as its guiding framework and employed mixed-methods research design. The population of the study comprised 200 teenagers aged 14-19 from secondary schools in Ika North-East Local Government Area using a stratified random sampling procedure. The instruments used in gathering data for the study include a structured questionnaire which was used in gathering quantitative data, and in-depth interviews which were conducted to gather qualitative insights. The study analyzed quantitative data using descriptive (frequencies, percentages) and inferential statistics (chi-square) and qualitative data using thematic analysis. The findings revealed widespread media use among respondents, with 87% reporting frequent consumption, predominantly television (70%) and social media (60%). A majority (65%) acknowledged that media influenced their perceptions of sexual behavior. Specifically, 57% believed television normalized relationships based on physical attraction. While 60% gained useful sexual health information from media, 45% felt crucial information on unsafe practice consequences was lacking. The study concluded that mass media significantly shapes teenage sexual attitudes, contributes to some health awareness, and can promote unrealistic norms related to teenage sexuality. The study recommended the implementation of formal sexual education programmes, both in schools and through community initiatives to counterbalance the negative effects of media portrayals and ensure that adolescents receive accurate and reliable information regarding sexuality.

The ntersection Between Drug Abuse and Increased Road Accidents in Nigeria

2025-11-10T15:50:17+00:00

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) represent a critical public health concern in Nigeria, contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and socio-economic costs. At the same time, the misuse of psychoactive substances both legal (such as alcohol) and illegal (such as cannabis and stimulants) has been on the rise, particularly among commercial drivers, transport operators, and vulnerable youth groups. This study examines the hypothesis that substance abuse is a major factor driving the increasing incidence of RTAs in Nigeria. Utilizing a mixed-methods design comprising surveys, roadside toxicological assessments, and crash data analysis, the research investigates: (a) the extent of psychoactive substance consumption among drivers, (b) the statistical relationship between substance use indicators and accident frequency, and (c) mediating variables such as fatigue, risky behavior, and law enforcement measures. The literature review synthesizes both Nigerian and international studies, while the theoretical orientation integrates human factors theory, deterrence theory, and the epidemiological model of causation. Quantitative analysis employs logistic regression, time-series correlation, and structural equation modeling, while qualitative interviews capture drivers’ attitudes, perceptions, and motivations. Initial findings indicate that drug use raises the likelihood of involvement in moderate-to-severe crashes by a factor of two to three, even after accounting for confounding variables such as road infrastructure and vehicle maintenance. The study concludes with policy suggestions including compulsory drug testing for commercial drivers, nationwide sensitization campaigns, and improved inter-agency collaboration. These findings carry important implications for traffic safety reforms, drug-control strategies, and behavioral health interventions in Nigeria and comparable developing contexts.

Masculinity, Cultural Norms, and Sexualized Substance Use

2025-11-10T15:43:59+00:00

The consumption of psychoactive substances before or during sexual activity poses serious challenges to women’s sexual and reproductive health in Nigeria. In Benue State, culturally dominant constructions of masculinity, often equated with sexual strength and virility encourage the use of alcohol, herbal aphrodisiacs and “manpower” substances to enhance male sexual performance. While these practices are intended to affirm male identity, they frequently expose women to coerced or prolonged sexual encounters, unprotected sex, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. This paper examined how masculinity, cultural norms, and SSU intersect to shape women’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Using secondary data sources, the study analyzed how inadequate sex education, cultural perceptions, polygamy and environmental conditions reinforce women’s vulnerability to the consequences of SSU. The analysis is anchored highlight how male-dominated sexual practices and gendered power relations undermine women’s health in African contexts. Findings reveal that entrenched cultural expectations of male sexual performance remain central drivers of SSU and its associated risks for women. The paper recommends culturally grounded interventions that challenge harmful masculinities, expand sexual and reproductive health education, and promote inclusive policies that engage traditional leaders, religious institutions, and women’s networks. By centering Afrocentric perspectives, the study contributes to rethinking how gender and cultural norms shape women’s sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa.

An Empirical Examination of the Contributions of the Irrigation Schemes of the Cross River Basin Development Authority to Farmers’ Support and Food Security in Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-11-10T16:44:48+00:00

Water resource management remains central to agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in developing countries where smallholder farmers depend on seasonal rainfall. In Nigeria, River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) were established to promote irrigation, rural development, and agricultural sustainability. This study empirically examines the contributions of the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) toward enhancing food security in Cross River State. Using survey data analyzed through descriptive statistics, percentages, and standard deviation, the research assessed farmers’ perceptions of CRBDA interventions in areas such as food supply, affordability, income generation, and environmental management. Findings reveal that while CRBDA has significantly improved food supply, challenges persist in affordability, farmer welfare, and environmental safeguards. A large proportion of respondents acknowledged improved availability of food but expressed dissatisfaction with affordability, farmers’ income, and consumable costs. Pollution control measures were also perceived as inadequate, raising concerns for long-term agricultural sustainability. The study concludes that CRBDA’s contributions, though relevant, remain constrained by institutional inefficiencies, weak maintenance culture, and limited funding. It recommends institutional reforms, enhanced funding, stronger farmer–market linkages, and integration of environmental safeguards to achieve sustainable food security in Cross River State.

Possession of Small Arms, Security Architecture and Crisis of Development in Obudu Local Government Area of Nigeria’s Cross River State

2025-11-10T15:39:34+00:00

The study examines the impact of small arms possession on the security architecture and development of Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Against the backdrop of the post-cold war proliferation of arms across Africa, the study explores how illegal arms circulation fuels insecurity, disrupts communal development and weakens regional stability. The study highlights how porous borders, poverty, unemployment, economic hardship, and governance deficits facilitate the influx and possession of arms by non-state actors, local militias, and civilians in Obudu LGA. Anchored on Johan Galtung’s Structural Violence Theory and the Social Disorganization Theory of Shaw and McKay, the study employs the documentary research design and utilized secondary method of data collection. Data were analyzed using the content analytical technique. Finding reveal that small arms possession has significantly exacerbated communal clashes, boundary disputes, armed robbery, cultism, and a general climate of insecurity and underdevelopment. It concludes that addressing the menace of illicit arms requires a holistic overhaul of security institutions, implementation of robust disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) frameworks, and policies that enhance trust, governance, and socio-economic empowerment at the grassroots.

Demographic Profiles and Motivational Factors of Resettled African Refugees Participating in Community Food Gardening Initiatives in Post-Brexit United Kingdom.

2025-11-10T16:39:15+00:00

Community food gardening has emerged as a critical intervention addressing human insecurity and supporting refugee integration, yet limited research exists on the specific demographic profiles and motivational factors driving African refugee participation in these initiatives. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the demographic profiles and motivational factors of resettled African refugees participating in community food gardening initiatives in post-Brexit UK. Using a qualitative explanatory research approach with supporting quantitative data, the study engaged 12 participants in Leicester, UK, including 10 gardening participants, and 2 program Experts/Support Providers. Data collection utilized in-depth and key informant interviews, using Otter.ai recorder and Transcriber while thematic analysis was conducted using QDA Miner software. Key findings showed that the gender representation of the resettled refugees Participants were of equal (50% male, 50% female) The age range was 34 to 57 years (mean = 41.4 years, median = 39.5 years), indicating focus on working-age adults, -with diverse educational background spanning from no formal through primary to tertiary levels. Key motivational factors included cultural food security (89.3%), social connection and community building (81.7%), mental health and wellbeing (78.4%), economic empowerment (64.2%), and maintenance of cultural identity (73.6%). Post-Brexit policy changes have intensified refugees' reliance on community-based integration mechanisms, with gardening initiatives serving as crucial spaces for cultural preservation and adaptation. The findings while highlighting the demographic profile and motivational factors in engaging in community food gardening practice, underscore the potential of community food gardening as a holistic intervention addressing multiple dimensions of their human security for resettled African refugees in the UK.

Skill and Challenges of Community Policing in Nigeria’s Rural Locales

2025-11-10T15:34:32+00:00

The study examined community policing practices and the skill and challenges in crime control in rural locals of Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine how inadequate training affects vigilantes’ ability to detect crime and interrogate victims effectively in communities where formal policing is weak. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and 250 structured questionnaires were administered using a multistage sampling technique to select respondents across the six Local Government Areas of Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. Out of the total questionnaire administered, 230 were properly completed and retrieved, representing a response rate of 92 percent and information therein was used as a basis for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and the Chi-square (χ²) test to determine the association between training and crime detection; training and victim interrogation. Findings revealed that lack of proper training significantly hampers vigilantes’ crime detection capacity, leading to reliance on rumor, suspicion, and arbitrary arrests rather than evidence-based methods. Similarly, inadequate training in victim interrogation was shown to result in hostile questioning and victimization of suspects. The Chi-square results confirmed a statistically significant association between training and both crime detection and victim interrogation (p < 0.05). The study concludes that vigilantes remain central to providing rural internal security in Cross River Central, but their effectiveness is undermined by training deficits. It recommends the introduction of structured capacity-building programmes, collaboration with formal police agencies, and the establishment of policy frameworks to professionalize grassroots policing for improved crime control and community trust.

Gender Discrimination and Women in Employed-Labour in Nigeria’s South-South Region

2025-11-10T16:31:35+00:00

Gender discrimination remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s labour market, particularly in the economically vital South-South region, encompassing Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states. This study explores the extent and nature of gender-based disparities among employed women in this region, focusing on wage inequality, barriers to career advancement, and workplace harassment. Drawing on socialist feminism, as articulated by Heidi Hartmann (1979), and labour market segmentation theory, proposed by Doeringer and Piore (1971), the research investigates how the interplay of capitalist economic structures and patriarchal cultural norms sustains these inequities. A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative data from structured questionnaires administered to 1,000 women with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews conducted with a purposively selected subset. The quantitative sample was selected using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across diverse sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, services, and informal employment. Findings reveal a stark prevalence of gender discrimination: 65% of respondents reported earning less than male counterparts for similar work, 58% encountered significant obstacles to promotion, and 42% experienced workplace harassment, with informal sectors and male-dominated industries like oil and gas showing elevated rates (e.g., 72% wage disparity in oil and gas). Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression, confirmed significant associations between employment sector and discrimination outcomes, with higher education levels reducing the likelihood of such experiences. Qualitative data illuminated underlying factors, such as entrenched patriarchal attitudes and the absence of effective workplace policies, which exacerbate women’s vulnerability. These results align with theoretical predictions, highlighting how economic exploitation and cultural biases marginalize women, particularly in less-regulated settings. The study underscores the urgent need for policy interventions, recommending the enforcement of equal pay laws, robust anti-harassment frameworks, and cultural initiatives to dismantle gender stereotypes. It contributes valuable evidence to the discourse on gender equity in Nigeria, advocating for longitudinal research to monitor trends and evaluate policy impacts. By addressing these disparities, this work aims to foster a more inclusive labour market in the South-South region, enhancing women’s economic empowerment and social standing

An Examination of Employees’ Working Conditions on Job Satisfaction in the Federal Universities in Southeast Zone of Nigeria

2025-11-10T16:21:39+00:00

This study examines employees’ perception working conditions on their job satisfaction among staff of federal Universities in the Southeast zone of Nigeria. A cross-sectional sample survey was adopted for data collection. The study adopted a mixed method research design. The sample size for the study comprised of one thousand and forty three 1,043 respondents, selected through the Proportionate Stratified Sampling Technique. The structured Questionnaire schedule and In-Depth Interview (IDI) Guide were used to collect data for the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21 was used to process the quantitative data and descriptive statistics including frequency count, and simple percentages were used to analyse the data. Hypotheses stated were tested at 0.05 significant levels using t-test, Mann-Whitney U and multinominal logistic regression statistical tests. In addition, the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Findings of the study indicated that employees in the Federal Universities within the study area had fair ratings on perceived working conditions were and job satisfaction among employees. The study therefore recommended the need for the National Universities Commission (NUC) to make university accreditation which is one of quality assurance measures that help to improve the working conditions of employees an annual event within different Universities in Nigeria.

Muammar Gaddafi’s Third Universal Theory and Popular Participation in the Conduct of the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria.

2025-11-10T16:12:39+00:00

The study focused on popular participation in the conduct of representative democratic elections, with emphasis on the 2023 general elections in Nigeria and how it interfaced with Muammar Gaddafi’s Third Universal Theory. The study examined how the activities of the parliamentary instrument of governance in the Third Universal Theory, affected popular participation in the conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. While literature abound, interrogating the place of the legislative instrument of governance in representative democracy, efforts have not been made to examine the impacts of the activities of this institution on popular participation in the conduct of elections in Nigeria, hence this study. Adopting a critical qualitative research design, the paper relied on both primary and secondary sources of data collections, and employed the textual analytical technique to present and analyze collected data. The study, while relying on critical and logical sense of evidences, established that the Parliamentary Instrument of Governance through her legislative activities, such as the deliberate disenfranchisement of some certain sections of the population, affected popular participation in the conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

UNIZIK Undergraduates’ Perception and Use of social media in the Propagation of 2022 Naira Re-Design Policy in Nigeria

2025-11-10T16:01:55+00:00

This study examined the UNIZIK undergraduates’ perception and use of social media in the propagation of the 2022-naira redesign policy in Nigeria. In today’s news world, social media has gradually paved its way to the hearts of many, including young people, as a veritable channel for news distribution. All people do nowadays is confirm from the old media, who are even now key drivers of media convergence via the utilization of the democratic features of the new media. Thus, this quantitative research treated five objectives relating to UNIZK undergraduates preferred social media platform, how they deployed the preferred platform, its impact, and finally, their perception of the role of social media in the propagation of the naira redesign policy. And the study finds, among others, that the seven most popular social media platforms were handy tools, with a higher percentage going for X (Twitter) and Facebook. The study also finds that social media is a democratic tool as it encourages feedback and is always timely in news reports on the 2022-naira redesign policy in Nigeria.

ECOWAS and Sahel Alliance in West Africa

2025-11-10T15:55:21+00:00

Mali, Bukina Faso and Niger shocked the continent and the world after the formation and pledge of allegiance to a parallel sub-regional platform in West Africa, “the Sahel Alliance”. The novelty has in the recent time engaged interests of scholars and practitioners in attempt to explore “the cause and effects” from the perspective lens of reactionary events from a sub-regional body, ECOWAS. From the internal dynamics, this study examined ECOWAS crisis management processes in the emergence of Sahel Alliance in West Africa. The methodology of the study is qualitative exploratory design in Dependency theoretical framework that argued that ECOWAS crisis management problem and emergence of Sahel Alliance was a function of intersection between western and non-western interests reflecting in imperialist syndrome which bedeviled the sub region. The study further revealed failure of crisis management processes and deliberate implementation of punitive measures in deference to western pressure which consequently triggered resentment and exit with multifaceted implications. From these findings, the study recommend that ECOWAS’ crisis management mechanisms should be strengthened as the new realignment is managed in diplomacy among other fundamentals for stability and development of West Africa.

Culture, Religion, and Gender Relations in the Adoption of Family Planning in Delta North Senatorial District

2025-11-10T15:47:00+00:00

In Nigeria, family planning (FP) is still essential for gender parity and public health, especially in areas with high fertility rates and ongoing issues with mother and child health. Several regions of the nation, especially Delta North Senatorial District, continue to have low rates of contraceptive use despite a national family planning program and increased knowledge of contemporary technologies. This study examines the ways in which gender interactions, religious doctrines, and cultural attitudes affect whether family planning methods are adopted or rejected in this setting. The study uses a mixed-methods sociological approach, analysing survey data, focus group talks, and in-depth interviews with male and female respondents in Delta North. The findings reveal a complex interplay of factors: while awareness is relatively high, deep-rooted cultural myths, religious interpretations, and patriarchal gender norms act as formidable barriers to uptake. These are compounded by structural health system challenges, such as inadequate supply of contraceptives and poor access to reproductive health services. The study applies theoretical frameworks including the Health Belief Model, Gender and Power Theory, and Diffusion of Innovations Theory to assess the complex character of FP uptake. It finishes with recommendations for culturally aware, gender-responsive, and religiously contextualized family planning strategies.

Electoral Process and the Challenges of Persons with Disabilities in the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria’s Calabar Municipality

2025-11-10T15:41:24+00:00

The paper examined the level of inclusivity for persons with disabilities in Calabar Municipal Area of Cross River State in the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. The study employed a survey research design and randomly recruited participants for the study. Two hundred and eighty (280) self-structured questionnaires were issued to the respondents; two hundred and sixty-four (264) responses were returned and validated for the study. The study employed descriptive analysis and inferential statistics, where data from the field survey were analysed using simple percentages presented in frequencies and tables. The instruments underwent face, content, and empirical validation. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, rate, and tables, were used to present the data. The hypothesis was tested using a chi-square statistical package for social sciences. Findings reveal that the electoral process in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area is not highly accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities. The study recommended the full and effective implementation of the accessibility provisions in the Electoral Act 2022, with a focus on making polling units and other electoral infrastructure truly accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs).