Alkebulan : A Journal of West and East African Studies
Alkebulan: A Journal of West and East African Studies is an international journal published twice yearly (January-June and July-December). It is a publication of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The journal intends to promote academic research in the humanities and social sciences domains, based on issues from the West and East African regions. Its goal is also to promote and encourage cross-disciplinary debate, comparative viewpoints, and research that employs the most relevant theoretical or methodological approaches to the issues in the region.
Department of Philosopy, University of Calabar, Nigeria
E-Governance and Internally Generated Revenue in Tax Evasion Era
This study examined e-governance and the challenges of internally generated revenue in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. Specifically, the study investigated the extent to which e-governance has reduced tax evasion, influenced tax assessment, reduced the cost of tax administration, and enhanced tax database management. A descriptive survey research design was employed, with a study population comprising 948 staff from the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (498) and Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (450). Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources and analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between e-governance and all four variables: tax evasion reduction, tax assessment improvement, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced tax database management. These results indicate that increased adoption of e-governance is associated with improvements across all dimensions of tax administration. The study recommends that tax authorities develop regulations to sustain the benefits of e-tax systems, provide adequate training for tax officials, promote electronic filing methods such as integrated tax management systems, minimize compliance costs, and enhance tax awareness and education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Alkebulan : A Journal of West and East African Studies
The Skeleton of a Name: Rethinking Nominal Structure in Nigerian Languages
This paper examines the robust phenomenon of bare nominal arguments in Nigerian languages and its implications for syntactic theory, particularly the universality of the DP Hypothesis and the mechanism of Case licensing. While languages like English restrict bare plurals and mass nouns to certain environments, languages such as Yoruba and Igbo allow virtually any noun to appear without overt determiners or number morphology in both subject and object positions. This presents a dual puzzle: (1) How are these nominals licensed as arguments without apparent Case marking? (2) What is the structural status of the nominal projection is it an NP, a reduced DP, or a language specific nominal category? We argue, based on novel syntactic diagnostics (coordination, modification, quantifier scope, and A' extraction patterns), that these bare nouns are not full DPs but are best analyzed as Numeral Phrases or simple NPs. Their licensing is not mediated by abstract structural Case in the standard sense, but by a configurational argumenthood requirement: a nominal is licensed as an argument if it occupies a designated thematic position (Spec vP/VoiceP for subjects, complement of V for objects) and enters into an Agree relation for φ features with a relevant functional head, without the necessity of a Case feature. This “Case free” licensing is made possible by the absence of a strong D layer that forces referential saturation. We further demonstrate that the apparent definiteness or specificity readings of bare nouns are contextually derived, not encoded syntactically by a D head. This analysis challenges the purported universality of the DP and forces a reconsideration of the functional sequence of the nominal domain and the parameters of nominal licensing across languages.
Le dilemme de la fidélité dans la traduction de Ruwan Bagaja D’alhaji Abubakar Imam: Entre Loyaute Culturelle Et Lisibilite En Français
Cette étude analyse le dilemme de la fidélité dans la traduction de Ruwan Bagaja (1934) d’Abubakar Imam, de l’hausa vers le français. L’objectif principal est de déterminer comment une traduction littéraire peut concilier la fidélité à l’intention de l’auteur, les attentes du lecteur francophone et les normes linguistiques de la langue d’arrivée. La problématique réside dans le fait que les spécificités culturelles, stylistiques et religieuses de la littérature hausa se prêtent difficilement à un transfert direct en français, ce qui oblige le traducteur à opérer des arbitrages. La méthodologie adoptée repose sur une analyse comparative qualitative d’extraits choisis issus de la traduction française réalisée dans le cadre de sa dissertation de master à Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (2024). L’étude s’appuie sur les cadres théoriques d’Amparo Hurtado Albir et de Fortunato Israel, et se structure autour de trois axes : la fidélité au contenu et au style de l’auteur, la fidélité au lecteur francophone et la fidélité à la langue d’arrivée. Les résultats montrent que la fidélité en traduction ne constitue pas un principe absolu, mais un équilibre stratégique où le traducteur agit comme médiateur culturel entre deux univers linguistiques et culturels.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alkebulan : A Journal of West and East African Studies
Therapeutic Communalism and Youth Violence: A Strategic Legal Framework for Prevention and Social Healing in Nigeria
Youth violence presents a complex and entrenched challenge to the stability, security, and developmental aspirations of the Nigerian state. Dominant legal and policy responses, anchored in a punitive criminal justice paradigm, have proven insufficient in curbing the prevalence and intensity of such violence. This article posits that a fundamental reorientation is required, shifting the legal focus from reactive punishment to proactive, community embedded prevention. It introduces and elaborates “Therapeutic Communalism” as a robust legal framework. This framework reconceptualises youth violence not as an isolated individual pathology, but as a symptomatic manifestation of systemic communal and institutional failure. The framework mandates a legally structured, shared responsibility among families, educational institutions, local communities, and the state. Their role is to collaboratively construct regulated, supportive, and norm governed social environments that prevent violent behaviours from emerging. Through a detailed analysis of Nigeria's existing constitutional and statutory landscape, an exploration of practical implementation mechanisms, and a critical engagement with necessary safeguards, this article argues that Therapeutic Communalism offers a culturally resonant, rights respecting, and empirically grounded pathway towards sustainable violence prevention and the facilitation of broader social healing in Nigeria.
Beyond Bystander Intervention: Therapeutic Communalism as a Feminist Framework for Addressing the Structural Roots of Campus Sexual Harassment
. This theoretical paper argues that this stagnation stems from the fundamentally individualistic and depoliticized nature of current approaches, which frame harassment as discrete acts by problematic individuals rather than as symptoms of deeper structural and cultural pathologies within academic institutions. This paper advances Therapeutic Communalism as a comprehensive feminist framework that shifts the locus of intervention from atomized individuals to community responsibility and institutional transformation. Building upon feminist critiques of neoliberal university governance, carceral feminism, and restorative justice principles, we deconstruct how bystander intervention models maintain a liberal feminist orientation that fails to challenge underlying power hierarchies. Therapeutic Communalism reconceptualizes prevention through three core feminist principles: the collectivization of responsibility, moving beyond heroic individual bystanders to cultivate shared ethical accountability; the decentering of formal punitive power, creating alternative communicative spaces that challenge institutional reporting mechanisms rooted in carceral logics; and the integration of restorative praxis, addressing harm through processes emphasizing community healing rather than administrative punishment. Through analysis of institutional case studies and existing communal practice models, we demonstrate how this framework addresses four critical limitations of current approaches: the pervasive reporting gap, institutional betrayal dynamics, normalization of low level harassment, and the reinforcement of carceral systems that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. The paper concludes that sustainable harassment prevention requires moving beyond training individuals toward fundamentally restructuring how academic communities communicate about power, boundaries, and collective care, positioning Therapeutic Communalism as both practical framework and radical political project..
Influence of Business Orientations and National Culture Characteristics on Small Business Success through Effective Marketing Management in Tanzania
Despite numerous policy interventions, the performance of Small, Micro and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in Tanzania remains stagnant, contributing to persistent high poverty levels. This study posits that internal strategic dispositions (business orientations) and deep-seated contextual values (national culture) are critical, yet underexplored, determinants of SMME success. We investigate their influence through the mediating lens of effective marketing management. Using a positivist philosophy and a quantitative approach, data were collected from 410 SMME owners and managers across eight Tanzanian regions and analyzed via multiple regression. The empirical results reveal that all three business orientations are significantly and positively related to effective marketing management: technology orientation (β = 0.26, p < 0.05), entrepreneurial orientation (β = 0.44, p < 0.05), and market orientation (β = 0.17, p < 0.05)—collectively explaining 58.6% of its variance (R² = 0.586). Similarly, all six Schwartz national culture characteristics show significant positive relationships: egalitarianism (β = 0.12), harmony (β = 0.17), embeddedness (β = 0.11), mastery (β = 0.19), affective autonomy (β = 0.14), and intellectual autonomy (β = 0.19)—accounting for 61.8% of the variance (R² = 0.618). These findings indicate that both strategic posture and cultural values are potent, complementary determinants of marketing effectiveness and, consequently, small business success in Tanzania. The study contributes to theory by validating and extending Schwartz’s cultural values framework within a sub-Saharan African entrepreneurial context and by integrating it with strategic orientation theory. Practically, we recommend that SMME owners consciously cultivate technology adoption, entrepreneurial initiative, and market-focused behaviors, while policymakers and support agencies should design interventions that align with and reinforce cultural strengths such as equality, harmony, and collective mastery.
Eastern Security Network (ESN) of IPoB: The Route for Combating Insecurity in Igboland, 2020-2025
The study investigated the Eastern Security Network (ESN) established by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) as a response to insecurity in Igboland. Using primary and secondary sources alongside qualitative and thematic approaches, the research explored the dynamics behind the ESN’s formation, its structure, and activities in the region. It is a conscious interrogation of why instead of commending the giant stride of IPoB and synergizing with its ESN, the government of Nigeria and some leaders of the Southeast chose to declare destructive attacks on the outfit. Yet, similar local security networks in other regions of Nigeria are supported by the Nigerian forces, and mobilized by leaders of their regions to combat insecurity. Close investigations, using Securitization and Social Movement Theories revealed that ESN is a complex and rare occurrence driven by a desire for self-defense and security in the face of perceived government inattention, resulting in among other violations, kidnapping, banditry, and herdsmen attacks in Southeastern Nigeria. It is further discovered that ESN consists of non-state actors with objectives of protecting Igbo communities, defending Igbo interests and promoting self-defense in Igboland and other parts of the perceived areas of the defunct Republic of Biafra. Critical analysis unveiled that the influence of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria that represents the interests of Fulani herdsmen and the determination of Nigerian government to destroy IPoB by all means are the factors for launching organized attacks on the ESN. It is the position of the paper that the aggression demonstrated against ESN emanated from what IPoB stands for in the country and the influence of the Miyetti Allah on Nigeria to defend and protect the Fulani herdsmen.
The Theological Significance of the Healing Narratives in Mark 1: 29-34
This study explores Jesus' healing narratives in view of their theological significance and contemporary relevance for Christian faith and practice. Employing literary, theological, and discuss analysis, the paper discusses how the accounts of healing in the Gospels reveal Jesus' authority, divinity, and compassion, serving as tangible manifestations of the surging Kingdom of God. The narratives also present the eschatological dimensions of healing, revealing that every miracle serves as a signpost that points to God's ultimate restoration of creation. These theological reflections highlight how such narratives shape the understanding of discipleship, calling believers to a deep trust in Jesus' power, faith responses, and active participation in God's redemptive mission in the world. Beyond the question of historic and theological value, the study also examined the contemporary implications of the healing narratives for modern Christian communities. It demonstrates that the stories of Jesus' healing continue to offer profound insights for pastoral care, spiritual formation, and the ministry of compassion. Through these stories, believers are encouraged to foster hope, extend care for the sick and vulnerable, and develop a holistic understanding of wellness focused on physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. The study concludes that Jesus' healing ministry is not merely a record of past events but also a living witness that inspires ongoing faith, shapes Christian identity, and empowers the Church's mission to address human suffering today.
Gender Disparity in Pastoral Leadership Among Churches in Sapele Baptist Association, Nigeria
The church, founded by God through Jesus Christ, is a diverse community of believers who worship, study, practice holiness, and reach out to others. However, there is a gender disparity in pastoral leadership among the churches in the Sapele Baptist Association (SaBA). This study aims to examine the extent, cause, and effect of this gender disparity in pastoral leadership among churches in the Sapele Baptist Association. Historical and phenomenological methods were employed to conduct the study, focusing on the extent of recognition of female pastoral leadership, factors contributing to the under-representation of female pastors, and the impact on the Baptist church structure. The research population includes pastors, elders, deacons, and church members. The study recommends that Baptist churches re examine their pastoral policies and ensure equal recognition and expression of diverse gifts among men and women.
The Impact of Strategic Christian Leadership: The Case of the Anglican Diocese of Ughelli in Delta State, Nigeria
This study examines the dynamics of Christian leadership and its impact on ecclesiastical and societal growth through a case study of the Anglican Diocese of Ughelli in Delta State, Nigeria. The research employs historical and analytical approaches to investigate leadership obstacles, including elevated expectations, conflict resolution, reputation management, and accessibility issues, that affect diocesan administration and development. The data reveal that the diocese has seen considerable growth and stagnation under different administrations, highlighting the crucial influence of episcopal leadership on institutional trajectories. Servant leadership is recognized as the fundamental paradigm for effective Christian leadership, although persistent difficulties such as the quest for power, material gain, and ethical compromises jeopardize leadership integrity. The research emphasizes the significance of strategic alliances, community engagement programs, and ethical responsibility in promoting sustainable church expansion and societal influence. The conclusion underscores that resolving the current leadership crisis in the 21st-century church requires the development of visionary leaders who integrate spiritual profundity with pragmatic acumen, ethical integrity with managerial proficiency, and conventional values with innovative ministry strategies. The findings offer significant insights for church administrators, leadership trainers, and ecclesiastical politicians seeking to create revolutionary leadership models to address the intricate issues encountered by contemporary churches.
Expressions idiomatiques comme problèmes culturels dans la traduction de Chaque chose en son temps de Lynn Mbuko
Les problèmes socioculturels ont toujours été un défi auquel des traducteurs font face, surtout lorsqu’il s’agit de trouver des équivalents de certains éléments d’une langue africaine dans une langue européenne. C’est le cas de la traduction de Chaque chose en son temps de Lynn Mbuko que nous avons tenté de faire, compte tenu de la situation multiculturelle de l’œuvre. Celle-ci est écrite par une femme igbo de l’Est du Nigeria, mais située dans le nord du Nigeria avec des personnages haoussas, foulanis et arabes. Dans le cadre de ce travail, nous avons opté pour cinq des sept procédés de Vinay et Darbelnet (1977) qui ont orienté nos traductions des expressions idiomatiques issues des langues haoussa et arabe. Nous avons analysé nos traductions de ladite pièce et avons conclu que toute traduction des expressions idiomatiques relève beaucoup plus de la maitrise des différents aspects culturels et contextuels des langues en jeu.
The Cancer of Corruption: An Examination of Its Impact on Academic Excellence and National Development in Nigerian Universities, 2000-2024
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the pervasive corruption within Nigerian universities from 2000 to 2024, conceptualizing it as a metastatic "cancer" that undermines academic excellence and cripples national development. Through a qualitative research design employing historical and thematic analysis, the investigation reveals how corruption has become an institutionalized ecosystem. The paper delineates the interlocking forms of corruption—spanning government, university staff, students, and parents—and demonstrates how they create a self-perpetuating cycle of mediocrity. The findings expose a foundational link between systemic government failures, such as politicization and chronic underfunding, and the operational corrupt practices of academic extortion, nepotism, and academic fraud. The study concludes that dismantling this corrupt ecosystem requires a systemic, multi-stakeholder approach. It proposes a roadmap for reform centered on stringent regulatory oversight, the unequivocal reinstatement of merit-based systems, and a concerted cultural shift towards integrity and accountability. This research provides a critical framework for policy interventions aimed at restoring the integrity of Nigerian higher education and unlocking its potential as a catalyst for national progress.
L'Intersection des dogmes religieux et traditionnels dans l'oppression des femmes : une analyse critique de genre dans Les Impatientes et Le Ventre de l'Atlantique
Malgré des avancées juridiques en matière de droits des femmes, de nombreuses sociétés africaines demeurent marquées par des systèmes patriarcaux ancrés dans des lectures dogmatiques de la religion. D’Une si longue lettre (1979) de Bâ aux luttes féminines dans Les Impatientes (2020) d’Amal et Le Ventre de l’Atlantique (2003) de Diome, la littérature africaine francophone révèle comment ces systèmes légitiment la domination masculine et le contrôle des corps féminins. Cet article fait une analyse comparée des deux œuvres, adoptant une approche féministe décoloniale, intersectionnelle et sociologique. S’appuyant sur les théories de Oyěwùmí, Crenshaw, Spivak, Bourdieu, hooks et Mbembe, il examine les mécanismes de domination patriarcale et les multiples formes de résistance féminine. Amal y dévoile le munyal (patience) comme outil d’oppression intériorisée, tandis que Diome explore les tensions entre émancipation individuelle et persistance des traditions. Toutes deux démontrent comment les normes religieuses manipulées par le patriarcat, deviennent des instruments de légitimation sociale. En définitive, cette étude souligne le rôle de la littérature africaine francophone comme espace de critique idéologique et de réaffirmation des voix subalternes, participant à la reconfiguration des imaginaires sociaux.
Examining the Changes from Adolescents to Adulthood According to Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality Development
This paper examines the transition from adolescence to adulthood through the lens of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality development. It outlines the core structures of the psyche—the id, ego, and superego—and their dynamic interactions in shaping behavior. The analysis is framed within Freud's five psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital), with a particular focus on the latency period and the reawakened genital stage that characterizes adolescence. The paper explores how the psychological changes of adolescence, including the push for independence, the formation of identity, and the maturation of relationships, can be understood as a process of navigating the demands of the id, the reality-testing of the ego, and the moral dictates of the superego. While acknowledging criticisms of Freud's theory, the paper concludes that his model provides a significant conceptual framework for understanding the unconscious influences and early childhood foundations that underpin the developmental challenges on the path to adult maturity.
The Right to Pollute? Climate Justice, Energy Poverty, and Nigeria’s Dilemma in the Shadow of the Niger Delta
This paper examines the ethical trilemma confronting Nigeria as it navigates the conflicting imperatives of global climate mitigation, domestic energy poverty, and reparative justice for the ecologically devastated Niger Delta. We argue that Nigeria’s position represents a “triple injustice,” wherein the global demand for decarbonization constrains its developmental rights, while the legacy of local environmental violence and persistent energy deprivation remain unaddressed. The analysis critiques the Nigerian government’s “Decade of Gas” strategy, revealing its inadequacy as a just transition framework. We contend that leveraging fossil fuels for development is ethically untenable without first discharging the nation’s ecological debt to the Niger Delta. The paper concludes by advocating for a conditionality-based approach, positing that a just and viable pathway requires a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects contingent upon the full remediation of the Delta and a strategic pivot toward decentralized renewable energy systems as the primary solution to energy poverty. This framework reconciles Nigeria’s right to development with its local and global responsibilities, offering a critical alternative to the prevailing policy discourse.
Beyond Extraction: Ubuntu and Ecological Debt in the Political Ecology of the Niger Delta
The Niger Delta stands as a paramount case study of environmental injustice, where five decades of oil extraction have generated immense wealth for the Global North and the Nigerian state while inflicting profound ecological and social harm on local communities. Dominant frameworks for analyzing this crisis, rooted in Western distributive justice models and political ecology, often fail to fully capture its ontological and ethical dimensions. This paper argues that the African ethic of Ubuntu (often translated as “I am because we are”) and the political-economic concept of ecological debt provide a more robust, culturally-grounded, and morally resonant framework for understanding and addressing the injustice in the Niger Delta. The paper posits that the harm of oil pollution is not merely economic or environmental but is a fundamental violation of the relational personhood central to Ubuntu, severing the vital connections between people, their ancestors, and their land. Simultaneously, it reframes the financial and reparative obligations of multinational corporations and the Global North not as aid, but as the repayment of a long-overdue ecological debt accrued through the unjust appropriation and degradation of the Delta’s natural wealth. Through a critical analysis of the political ecology of oil extraction, an exegesis of Ubuntu as an environmental ethic, and a detailed case study of the Ogoni struggle and the failed UNEP cleanup, this paper demonstrates how a synthesis of these concepts offers a transformative path toward justice—one that demands not just compensation, but relational repair, cultural restitution, and the restoration of a violated socio-ecological whole. This synthesis provides a decolonial alternative to mainstream environmental ethics, centering African philosophical thought in the quest for global ecological justice.
The Youth and Cybercrime in Nigeria: Cross River State Experience, 2001-2023
The rapid growth of digital technology and internet access has led to a rise in cybercrime, particularly among Nigerian youths. This study investigates youth involvement in cybercrime in Nigeria, focusing on Cross River State between 2001 and 2023. It examines the various forms of cybercrime, historical trends, and the socio-economic and psychological factors driving youth participation. Using a qualitative research approach, the study draws on primary sources, including interviews and field reports, as well as secondary sources such as official records and scholarly literature. Findings reveal that unemployment, peer influence, a lack of digital ethics, and weak enforcement mechanisms have significantly contributed to the rise in cybercrime in the state. The study further highlights the impact of cybercrime on youth development, societal values, and economic stability. While some government policies and cybersecurity initiatives exist, their implementation remains inadequate. The study recommends strengthening legal frameworks, implementing digital literacy campaigns, promoting youth empowerment programs, and enhancing cybersecurity training for law enforcement agencies. It concludes that a holistic approach addressing both social and institutional gaps is essential to curbing cybercrime and redirecting youth energy toward productive digital engagements in Cross River State and Nigeria at large.
Supervisors’ Commitment and the Implementation of Open Performance Appraisal Systems in Public Health Institutions
This study investigates the impact of supervisors' commitment on the implementation of Open Performance Appraisal Systems (OPAS) in Tanzanian public health institutions. Grounded in Social Exchange Theory, the research employed an explanatory design. Data were collected via structured questionnaires from 310 employees across six national health institutions. Supervisors’ commitment was measured through goal-setting (open and self-set), communication, self-drive, and follow-up activities. OPAS implementation was assessed based on the clarity of objectives, performance criteria, efficiency, data reliability, and feedback communication. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that supervisors' commitment has a significant positive influence on OPAS implementation, accounting for 46.2% of the variance (R² = 0.462). Self-set goals and consistent follow-ups emerged as the strongest predictors. The findings indicate that active supervisory engagement—characterized by clear goal-setting, transparent communication, and ongoing monitoring—is crucial for fostering employee motivation, accountability, and alignment with organizational objectives. We recommend enhancing supervisory training in these specific areas and addressing structural barriers to maximize the effectiveness of performance appraisal systems.
Safeguarding Without Supremacy: A CLP Framework for Managing Tensions Between Customary Law and Human Rights
The enduring tension between customary law and human rights remains one of the most significant challenges to strong legal pluralism. Critics argue that pluralist recognition of communal traditions risks entrenching practices that violate individual or minority rights, particularly in areas such as gender equality and children’s rights. This paper responds to that critique by advancing a Communal Legal Pluralism (CLP) framework that emphasizes internal dialogue and reform rather than external imposition. Drawing on ethnographic insights from legal anthropology and comparative constitutional analysis, the study explores how communities can navigate evolving human rights norms from within. Case studies such as the reform of palava hut ceremonies in Liberia illustrate the capacity of customary institutions to address gender-based violence when supported by insider reformers and intercultural interpreters, including NGOs, hybrid courts, and local leaders. The paper further examines how constitutional models in South Africa and Ecuador balance legal pluralism with rights guarantees, highlighting the role of “safety nets” provided by state and international bodies. These external actors are reconceptualized not as supreme arbiters but as subsidiarity-based safeguards that intervene only when community processes fail to meet minimum standards. The theoretical contribution lies in offering a process-oriented model that preserves the moral embeddedness of customary systems while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights. In doing so, the paper moves beyond the entrenched universalism–relativism divide to propose an ethically grounded, pluralist approach to harmful traditional practices. This framework strengthens the normative and practical foundations of CLP, demonstrating its potential to reconcile communal autonomy with universal rights in a dynamic and context-sensitive manner.
From Litigation to Arbitration? An Empirical Analysis of Dispute Resolution Trends in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector Post-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 represents the most comprehensive reform of Nigeria's oil and gas sector in over five decades, introducing a new regulatory and commercial architecture. A critical, yet under-examined, aspect of this reform is its potential impact on dispute resolution mechanisms. This paper conducts an empirical analysis to investigate whether the PIA is shifting dispute resolution trends from traditional litigation and international arbitration towards the Act's novel specialized tribunals and other domestic avenues. Through a mixed-methods approach—combining doctrinal analysis of the PIA's legal provisions, a review of emerging case law from the new tribunals, and qualitative data from surveys and interviews with legal practitioners and industry executives—this research maps the evolving dispute resolution landscape. Preliminary findings indicate a complex and transitional picture: while international arbitration remains the preferred mechanism for high-value commercial disputes between investors and the state, the new tribunals are gaining traction for regulatory appeals. However, a lack of published decisions, capacity concerns, and lingering distrust in domestic institutions continue to challenge the PIA’s objective of localized dispute resolution. The study concludes that the PIA has created a multi-tiered, hybrid system rather than a decisive shift, and its ultimate success hinges on building trust through the demonstrated efficiency, expertise, and independence of the new judicial bodies.
The Legal Framework for Combating Terrorism in Nigeria: A Testament to Strategic Policy and Legislative Diligence
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the progressive and robust legal framework established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to combat the scourge of terrorism. It chronicles the strategic evolution of counter-terrorism legislation from its nascent stages to the sophisticated and comprehensive Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. The analysis highlights the government's unwavering commitment to aligning domestic law with international best practices and obligations, thereby creating a powerful legal arsenal for security agencies. The paper examines the critical role of various institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, and the judiciary, in implementing this framework under challenging circumstances. While acknowledging the inherent difficulties in any fight against terrorism, the paper focuses on the significant achievements made possible through legislative diligence and political will. It concludes that Nigeria's legal architecture provides a strong foundation for continued success and offers constructive recommendations for its ongoing enhancement, positioning it as a model for regional security cooperation,
Leaders’ Awareness of the Ethics Code and Good Governance in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania.
This study investigated the persistent occurrence of leadership scandals, such as corruption and fraud, within local government authorities in Tanzania, despite the establishment of the Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act No. 13 of 1995. The research sought to examine the awareness of this code among both leaders and ordinary citizens, and its interrelationship with promoting good governance. Conducted in Kinondoni Municipality, the qualitative study engaged 85 participants selected through convenient and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using interviews, focus group discussions, and document review, and were subsequently analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed a notably high level of awareness among participants concerning the provisions of the leadership code of ethics and the principles of good governance. The study's central conclusion is that the ongoing ethical failures are not due to an absence of regulations or a lack of awareness of them. Instead, the problem is fundamentally a lack of moral will—or internal intrinsic motivation—among public leaders to implement and adhere to established ethical standards. This indicates a critical dichotomy between theoretical awareness and practical willingness to act ethically. Consequently, the study recommends that the government collaborate with relevant stakeholders to initiate reforms addressing this inadequacy in social and administrative ethics. It further suggests that foundational moral education within families and religious institutions is essential to develop the conscience required for public officials to act rightly for the welfare of society.
The Influence of Pre-Colonial African Trade Customs on Modern Nigerian Commercial Law
The commercial legal framework in modern Nigeria is a product of diverse influences, including indigenous pre-colonial trade customs, colonial legal systems, and contemporary global trade practices. This paper examines the extent to which pre-colonial African trade customs have shaped modern Nigerian commercial law, focusing on enduring principles such as contractual agreements, dispute resolution, and trade governance. Before colonialism, Nigerian societies—such as the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa—developed sophisticated trade systems governed by customary laws that emphasized communal trust, oral agreements, and flexible dispute resolution mechanisms. These indigenous practices were often rooted in reciprocity, ethical trade conduct, and the integration of social and economic relations. With the imposition of British colonial rule, formal legal systems were introduced, often displacing indigenous customs. However, many pre-colonial trade norms persisted, either through informal adoption or formal recognition within Nigeria’s hybrid legal system. Post-independence, Nigerian commercial law evolved to incorporate both statutory regulations and customary trade principles, particularly in areas like contract formation, agency relationships, and mercantile transactions. This paper argues that despite the dominance of Western legal frameworks, pre-colonial trade customs continue to influence modern commercial practices, particularly in rural and informal sectors. By analyzing legal statutes, judicial decisions, and anthropological studies, this research highlights the resilience of indigenous trade customs and their role in shaping a uniquely Nigerian commercial identity. The study contributes to broader discussions on legal pluralism and the integration of traditional norms into contemporary legal systems.
Adaptive Governance for AI Companies: Resolving the OpenAI Leadership Crisis through Dynamic Stakeholder Prioritization
The 2023 OpenAI leadership crisis—marked by the abrupt firing and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman—revealed fundamental flaws in traditional governance models when applied to high-stakes AI companies. This paper proposes Adaptive Corporate Governance Theory (ACGT) as a framework to resolve such crises through dynamic stakeholder prioritization and context-dependent decision-making. Analyzing OpenAI’s structural failures (including misaligned nonprofit/for-profit hybrid governance and static board composition), we demonstrate how ACGT’s principles—modular governance charters, algorithmic stakeholder weighting, and crisis-triggered fiduciary adaptations—could have prevented destabilizing conflicts between safety and commercial objectives. Using comparative case studies of DeepMind and Anthropic, we show that AI firms require governance systems capable of real-time recalibration as risks and stakeholder influences shift. The paper concludes with policy recommendations, including AI-specific regulatory sandboxes and adaptive compliance mechanisms, to balance innovation with existential risk mitigation. By bridging corporate governance theory with AI safety imperatives, this research offers a roadmap for governing transformative technologies in an era of exponential change.
Artificial Intelligence in Public Procurement: Legal Frameworks, Ethical Challenges, and Policy Solutions for Transparent and Efficient Governance
Public procurement systems worldwide grapple with inefficiency, opacity, and corruption, undermining public trust and squandering taxpayer funds. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity to enhance transparency, streamline processes, and mitigate fraud in procurement and infrastructure financing. This paper examines the legal and policy implications of integrating AI into public procurement, focusing on its potential to strengthen compliance, detect anomalies, and optimize decision-making while addressing inherent risks. The discussion begins by outlining the legal frameworks governing procurement, including domestic regulations (e.g., the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulation) and international standards (e.g., UNCITRAL Model Law), identifying gaps in enforcement and oversight. It then explores AI applications—such as automated contract analysis, fraud detection algorithms, and predictive vendor risk assessments—that can improve efficiency and accountability. However, deploying AI also introduces legal and ethical challenges, including algorithmic bias, due process concerns, and accountability gaps in automated decision-making. To harness AI responsibly, this paper proposes policy measures such as mandatory algorithmic audits, interdisciplinary oversight bodies, and pilot programs for public agencies. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between legal experts, technologists, and policymakers to ensure AI adoption aligns with public interest and legal integrity. Ultimately, while AI offers significant benefits, its implementation must be carefully regulated to uphold fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in public procurement.
Dimensions of Child Abuse and Traumatic Memories in Richard Wright’s Black Boy
Racism is a form of discrimination that conditions the existence of African Americans physically and psychologically. Richard Wright’s Black Boy illustrates the effect of racism on the lives of African Americans in the American society. Through literary depictions, he accounts for the psychological effect of racism on African Americans. This study, through the application of critical race theory and trauma theory examines Wright's Black Boy as a traumatic memory of the fictional autobiographical narrator within the world of the novel. This study adopts a qualitative research approach and observes that the concept of whiteness from when Richard was four has been a source of trauma for him, and he did all he could to survive the American society. This study submits that Wright’s father is traumatised by his experiences of slavery and an attempt to survive the racial system, and as such, he looks for an easy means out of his fatherly responsibility. This study concludes that Richard is a traumatic patient who was first traumatised by the actions of his family and the censorship he faced. Richard’s experiences of subjugation at the hands of fellow blacks and whites in the American society all lead to various levels of abuse, resulting in trauma.
Perceived Organisational Support (POS) as a Mediator between Organisational Communication and Employee Engagement among Remote Workers in Akwa Ibom State
This study investigated the mediating role of perceived organisational support in the relationship between organisational communication dynamics and employee engagement among remote workers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Grounded in Organisational Support Theory (OST), the research posits that employees’ perceptions of how much the organisation values their contributions and well-being shape their attitudes and engagement levels, particularly in remote contexts where informal social cues are limited. A survey research design was employed, involving 189 purposively and snowball-sampled respondents actively engaged in remote work. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using correlation and regression techniques. Key findings revealed that communication clarity (r = .52, p < .01) and feedback quality (r = .47, p < .01) had strong positive relationships with employee engagement. Furthermore, perceived organisational support partially mediated this relationship, with communication predicting support (β = .611, p < .001) and support predicting engagement (β = .376, p < .001). Despite high levels of performance commitment (67.7%), emotional engagement was comparatively lower (57.1%), and lateral communication was found to be relatively weak (52.4%). Based on these findings, it is recommended that organisations strengthen upward and horizontal communication flows, institutionalise recognition practices, and implement relational engagement strategies such as virtual team-building and wellness check-ins to sustain engagement and foster a supportive communication climate in remote work environments.
The Impact of Zoonotic Diseases on the Health and Athletic Performance of Delta State Sportsmen and Women
Zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted between animals and humans, have become an increasing concern for public health globally, particularly in regions where human-animal interactions are frequent. This study explores the impact of zoonotic diseases on the health and athletic performance of sportsmen and women in Delta State, Nigeria. Given the state's rich biodiversity and agricultural practices, athletes are at a higher risk of exposure to zoonotic infections, which can result in significant health complications, including fever, fatigue, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal disturbances. These diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and avian influenza, can impair immune function, leading to reduced physical endurance, muscle weakness, and longer recovery periods from physical exertion. The Paper explores how these diseases affect the performance of athletes, including potential disruptions in training, competition, and overall health outcomes. The paper indicate that a significant number of athletes in Delta State have encountered zoonotic diseases that impacted their training schedules, performance levels, and overall well-being. This paper also highlights the lack of adequate preventive measures, awareness, and healthcare support for athletes in addressing these risks. The summary emphasize the need for integrated health interventions, including vaccination, education on safe animal handling, and improved healthcare infrastructure to safeguard the health and enhance the athletic performance of Delta State sportsmen and women. Recommendations include policies that prioritize zoonotic disease prevention in sports environments, improving athlete health surveillance, and promoting public health campaigns..
The Effect of Sports Sponsorships in Enhancing Economic Development: A Case Study of Bayelsa and Delta States, Nigeria
The research explores how sports sponsorship programs contribute to job creation, infrastructure development, and the stimulation of local businesses. It also identifies the challenges faced by public and private stakeholders in leveraging sports sponsorships for sustainable economic growth. The research design used for this study was the descriptive research. The findings indicate that sports sponsorships significantly contribute to regional economic development by creating employment opportunities, improving sports infrastructure, and boosting local businesses, particularly in hospitality, tourism, and retail sectors. Additionally, private investments and partnerships driven by sports sponsorships play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth. However, challenges such as financial constraints, political instability, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural factors hinder the full potential of these sponsorships. The analysis of two hypotheses revealed significant positive correlations between the level of sports sponsorship investment and the creation of employment opportunities, as well as between sports sponsorships and the development of sports tourism, which in turn stimulates local businesses and contributes to overall economic growth. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening government and private sector collaboration, improving sports infrastructure, developing long-term sports tourism strategies, and addressing socio-cultural barriers to enhance public engagement with sports. These recommendations aim to maximize the economic benefits of sports sponsorships and ensure sustainable economic development in Bayelsa and Delta States, ultimately contributing to the broader regional economy.
La néologie et le néologisme dans la traduction vers la langue minoritaire
La néologie est une activité de création de nouveau lexis visé à enrichir une langue moins développée. Le résultat du processus de la néologie est appelée le néologisme. Dans cette étude, nous expliquons le sens des deux concepts et leurs positions dans la traduction vers la langue minoritaire. C’était expliqué que le processus de la néologie est utilisé de temps en temps dans la planification lexicale ou l’enrichissement de la langue. A travers ce processus, on atteint un développement du vocabulaire pour élargir le statut et la pratique d’une langue.