JOURNAL OF AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH

This article examines the Perception of Modern Funding Strategies and Sustainable , Entrepreneurship among the Youths in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria with the view to ascertain whether a significant positive relationship exists between the predictor and criterion variables. The Research  utilised a descriptive cross-sectional survey design while the Population of the Study involves  200 SMEs manned by young Entrepreneurs within the age range of 18-40 years of age in Oshogbo, Osun State which was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to gather data which was  measured on a five-point Likert scale with the following values: strongly agree (SA) = 5, agree (A) = 4, neutral (N) = 3, disagree (D) = 2, and strongly disagree (SD) = 1, with a total of twenty (20) items altogether.  The hypotheses formulated in this study was tested using multiple ordinary least squares regressions to determine if crowdfunding, P2P and fintech solutions are significant predictors of entrepreneurial sustainability at the 0.05 level of significance. The conclusion deduced  shows a significant positive relationship between the predictor and criterion variables. This means that a significant positive relationship  exists between Modern Funding Strategies and Sustainable Entrepreneurship among the Youth in Osogbo, Osun State. Therefore, Modern Funding Strategies such as Crowdfunding, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending and FinTech Solutions are highly recommended for Sustainable Entrepreneurship among the Youths in Osogbo, Osun State.

This study examines the availability and condition of facilities required for the effective implementation of technical and vocational education programmes in Rivers State. Technical and vocational education depends primarily on functional workshops, laboratories and equipment that support hands-on learning, but many institutions across the state struggle with inadequate or obsolete facilities. A descriptive survey design was used to investigate teachers’ and students’ experiences in four Government Technical Colleges and seven Government Craft Development Centres. A sample of 532 respondents was selected using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected through observational checklists, document reviews, interviews and a structured questionnaire, and were analysed using percentages and mean scores with a decision benchmark of 2.50. Findings showed that most facilities required for effective programme delivery were either unavailable or insufficient in quantity. Only a few areas such as automobile, electrical, woodwork and some mechanical workshops had basic equipment, while essential facilities for home management, introductory technology, business studies and agricultural education were largely absent. The condition of the available facilities was also poor, with most equipment classified as bad, obsolete or unsuitable for practical instruction. These deficiencies limit both teaching quality and students’ opportunities for skill acquisition. The results-highlight a significant gap between policy expectations and actual infrastructural realities. Improving the state of facilities is therefore necessary for strengthening technical and vocational education and producing graduates with  employable and entrepreneurial competencies. 

Payroll management is a critical administrative function in tertiary institutions, directly influencing staff satisfaction, motivation, and overall institutional performance. This study investigates the effect of payroll management on staff satisfaction at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines payroll accuracy, timely salary payments, and transparency in payroll processes as key determinants of staff satisfaction. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 188 academic and non-academic staff via structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics (percentages) and inferential statistics (correlation analysis) were employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that payroll accuracy, timely disbursement of salaries, and transparency in payroll processes positively and significantly impact staff satisfaction. Accurate payroll reduces errors that might cause dissatisfaction, timely payments support financial stability and motivation, and transparent processes enhance trust and organizational commitment. The analysis demonstrates a strong nexus between payroll management and staff satisfaction, confirming that effective payroll practices are crucial for promoting employee morale and institutional efficiency. These results align with Expectancy Theory, which posits that employees are motivated when they believe that their efforts lead to valued outcomes. The study recommends investment in reliable payroll systems, training of personnel, timely disbursement of salaries, and transparent communication of payroll policies to optimize staff satisfaction and institutional performance.

The study investigate the relationship between continuous assessment grade and students academic peroformance in chemistry examination in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The correlational research design was adopted for the study and a total of 118 students made up the population of the study. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypothesis. Date for study was analyzed using PPMC and the hypothesis was tested  0.5 level of significant. Findings revealed that, Continuous Assessment (CA) and Examination Grade (E) has positive relationship with student’s academic performance (r = .53). The result also showed that, male and female students have positive relationship with their academic performance (r = .22). Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers should be educated and encouraged on the need to take and administer continuous assessment in their teaching and learning process.

This study examines the influence radio and rural development programmes have on the residents of Imo State. Three objectives and three research questions were used. The study was anchored on Development Media theory. The survey research method was applied. The population of the study was 4,186,633 and with a sample size of 384 using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample size determination table. Furthermore, the study employed questionnaire and interview schedule as instruments for data collection. The study adopted the multi stage sampling techniques. The data generated through the questionnaire were categorised and represented in frequency tables, which were thereafter analysed using weighted mean score. It was discovered among other things that Imo state residents were fully exposed to Ozisa 96.1 FM development programmes. The level of exposure of Imo State residents on developmental programmeon Ozisa 96.1 FM was at a very high level. The study concludes that radio plays a key role in rural developmental programmes, not just in Imo State but in other parts of the world. Finally, the study recommends that the residents of Imo State should continue to expose themselves to Ozisa 96.1 FM developmental programmes, residents of Imo State should always expose themselves to developmental programmes to be knowledgeable about happenings in Imo State, Ozisa 96.1FM radio station should develop and maintain existing developmental programmes to keep the people abreast of happenings around their environment and equally to keep government on their toes, in delivering good governance to the people. 

It is certain that environmental sustainability, social security and resilience in any organization is key in promoting and strengthening workers and employees relationships, improves productivity, enhances safety,  customers satisfaction and income generation.  The aim of the study is to examine how company’s policy on social security and environmental sustainability can develop, build and extending good hand of magnanimity to the unemployed retired staffers and host communities.  The methods applied by the researchers in this study consist of the primary and secondary sources which includes: personal interview, distribution of questionnaire consulting relevant company bulletin and newsletters.  Ten (10)  copies of questionnaire were distributed to twenty one (21) plants and departments in the company, amounting to two hundred and ten (210) copies altogether. At the point of collection only one hundred and eighty (180) was recovered.  Table and percentage method  Including SPSS was employed  for the analysis.  The study found out that, there is good relationships between environmental sustainability, social security and resilience at work place and recommending that, environmental matters be given to only environmental experts.

The family remains a primary agent of socialization, providing emotional, moral, and educational guidance critical to the development of children. In contemporary Nigeria, the prevalence of single-parent households has increased due to divorce, separation, spousal death, and out-of-wedlock births, raising concerns about the educational development of affected students. This study investigates the relationship between single parenting and students’ educational development in Emohua Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, with a focus on implications for social work practice. Guided by the Structural Functionalism Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design involving 400 respondents, selected respondents through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean scores and standard deviations. Findings reveal that single parenting in Emohua LGA is primarily driven by marital conflict, infidelity, early pregnancies, spousal death, economic hardship, and cultural tolerance for polygamy. The study further establishes that children from single-parent homes experience emotional instability, inadequate supervision, limited parental involvement, and financial constraints, which collectively hinder academic motivation, classroom participation, and access to learning materials. Importantly, the study highlights the critical role of social work practice in mitigating these challenges. School-based interventions, counseling, parental empowerment, and policy-driven programs are essential in supporting both single parents and their children to enhance educational outcomes. The research underscores that addressing the educational disparities of students from single-parent families requires a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach integrating schools, social workers, community structures, and policy frameworks to foster resilience, inclusiveness, and holistic child development.

This study examined poverty, unemployment, and community development in Rivers State, with a focus on the role of social workers in enhancing livelihoods. The objectives were to assess how household income levels, access to basic services, and livelihood security influence community development; to examine the effects of youth unemployment, underemployment, and reliance on informal economic activities on livelihoods; and to explore how social work interventions contribute to improved household and community outcomes. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using secondary sources, including academic journals, government reports, policy documents, and institutional assessments. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, enabling identification of patterns and relationships among key variables. The study was anchored on Sen’s Capability Approach (Sen, 1999), which assumes that development is realized when individuals have the freedom and capability to achieve well-being, emphasizing empowerment, access to resources, and agency in enhancing livelihoods and community participation. Findings revealed that low household income, limited access to basic services, and unstable livelihoods constrain participation in local economic and development initiatives, while youth unemployment and underemployment exacerbate household vulnerability and limit community development. Reliance on informal economic activities provides temporary income but fails to ensure long-term stability. Social work interventions—such as community empowerment, skills acquisition support, and access to social welfare services—were found to enhance livelihoods, promote community cohesion, and strengthen institutional responsiveness, facilitating sustainable development outcomes. The study concludes that integrated strategies combining economic support, social protection, and social work interventions are essential to improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive community development in Rivers State.