BANK-SPECIFIC FACTORS AND LENDING BEHAVIOUR IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The intermediary function carried out by commercial banks in moving financial resources from surplus units to deficit units continues to be most critical to economic activities across the globe including sub-Saharan Africa. However, literature revealed that challenges involving inadequate capital, poor asset quality and smaller bank sizes constrain the lending capacity of commercial banks in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to inefficient intermediation, weak lending capacity and financial underdevelopment. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the effect of bank-specific factors on lending behaviour in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study employed ex post facto research design. Population of the study consists of fifty-four (54) African nations within the sub-Sahara African region, while 14 sub-Sahara African countries were purposively drawn as the sample size of the study. Secondary data were sourced from World Development Indicators (WDI) and African Financials covering the period of 1990 to 2022. The study employed pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) regression method for the analysis. The results were that: capital adequacy ratio (β = 0.289; p-value = 0.000); asset quality (β = 0.306; p-value = 0.003); and bank size (β = 3.928; p-value = 0.000) have significant positive effect on lending behaviour in the SSA region. The study concluded that bank-specific factors affect lending behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa. The study therefore recommended that management of commercial banks in the SSA region should pursue growth strategies like mergers and acquisitions to achieve economies of scale and improve lending capacity; and policymakers should implement flexible guidelines for capital adequacy tailored to the unique economic conditions of sub-Saharan Africa, so as to ensure financial stability without over-restricting banks\u27 lending capacities

IMPACT OF AWARENESS OF DEEPFAKE USAGE IN MARKETING CAMPAIGNS ON CONSUMER PERCEIVED BRAND AUTHENTICITY

In today’s digitally driven marketing landscape, the emergence of deepfake technology has introduced both groundbreaking innovation and complex ethical dilemmas. While brands explore hyper-personalized content using AI-generated videos, concerns around consumer trust, authenticity, and transparency persist. This study investigates the impact of deepfake marketing on consumer perception, focusing on three key objectives: the relationship between consumer knowledge of deepfakes and perceived brand transparency, the influence of deepfake recognition ability on brand trust, and the effect of exposure frequency on message believability. Adopting a positivist research philosophy with a deductive approach, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, sampling 250 randomly selected students from Timeon Kairos Polytechnic, Lagos State. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis, were used to analyze the data. Findings reveal that consumer knowledge and deepfake recognition ability significantly influence perceptions of brand transparency and trust, respectively. Likewise, exposure frequency positively affects brand message believability. These results underscore the need for ethical AI use and enhanced digital literacy to foster consumer confidence in technologically advanced marketing. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for marketers and calls for greater alignment with emerging digital transparency standards

MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND AGRICULTURAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED ECONOMIES IN AFRICA

Agriculture is critical to numerous economies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is essential for the socio-economic advancement of many countries due to its capacity to employ a significant portion of the population and its substantial contribution to national development. Despite its significant contribution to the economy of SSA, the performance of the agricultural sector has been poor in recent years, making it difficult for SSA nations to produce sufficient food needed for food security. Hence, this study investigated the impact of macroeconomic factors on agrarian output in selected African economies. The data for this study are secondary and were sourced from the World Development Indicator databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. The research utilised Least Square and the Dumitrescu and Hurlin Panel Causality Tests as estimation techniques. Findings indicated a positive and significant relationship between macroeconomic indicators like exchange rate, bank credit and FDI and agricultural output in the selected countries. Also, results showed a unidirectional causality between macroeconomic factors and agricultural output in the selected countries. Therefore, the study concluded that macroeconomic indicators like foreign direct investment, interest rates, exchange rates, and banking credit significantly impact agricultural output in emerging African economies. Consequently, the study recommended that governments in the selected countries should further strengthen and enhance the various components of macroeconomic conditions due to their significant impact on agricultural outputs in the selected economies

EFFECT OF PONZI SCHEMES ON FINANCIAL LOSSES IN NIGERIA: LESSONS FROM THE PAST AND RECENT SCAMS

This study examines the effect of Ponzi Schemes on Financial Losses in Nigeria by analyzing ten major schemes that operated between 2015 and 2025. The study population includes all publicly known fraudulent investment operations within this period, from which a purposive sample of ten schemes such as CBEX, MMM, MBA Forex, Crowd1, and FINAFRICA was selected based on financial scale, data availability, and public significance. Secondary data were gathered on variables including number of investors, promised return rates, scheme duration (in months), inflation, and unemployment. These data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), investigative media reports (BusinessDay, Proshare), and prior academic research. Using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis, the study found that schemes offering the highest promised returns such as CBEX and Crowd1 produced the greatest financial losses. MBA Forex and FINAFRICA also recorded significant losses, regardless of their duration or investor count. Inflation was moderately associated with financial losses, indicating economic pressure as a contributing factor. Unemployment, however, showed a weaker influence, possibly due to lower risk-taking among jobless individuals. The findings suggest that investor vulnerability is driven by a combination of unrealistic return expectations, poor regulation, and economic instability. The study recommends stronger regulatory enforcement, public financial education, and economic reforms that address inflation and joblessness as strategies to reduce the appeal and impact of Ponzi schemes

SAVINGS BEHAVIOUR AND WEALTH ACCUMULATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Wealth accumulation remains a pressing economic challenge in Nigeria and South Africa, influenced by factors such as savings behavior, employment status, banking accessibility, and interest rates. This study employs a comparative quantitative approach using secondary macroeconomic data from national financial reports, economic surveys, and institutional databases to analyze these variables\u27 impact on wealth accumulation. Multiple regression analysis shows that savings behavior positively influences wealth accumulation with coefficients of β = 0.304 in Nigeria and β = 1.516 (p = 0.042) in South Africa. Employment status also significantly affects wealth accumulation, particularly in South Africa (2.859) compared to Nigeria (2.711). Banking accessibility has a marginally significant positive effect in Nigeria (1.978) but is insignificant in South Africa (-0.735). Interest rates show no significant impact in either country. The findings highlight the importance of financial literacy, employment growth, and banking infrastructure in enhancing wealth accumulation. Consequently, the study recommends implementing nationwide financial literacy programs aimed at reaching one million individuals annually via digital platforms and institutional training to strengthen savings behavior and foster sustainable wealth-building strategies

TAX MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA: MODERATING ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

Despite reforms in Nigeria\u27s tax system, the performance of State Internal Revenue Services (SIRS) remains suboptimal, largely due to ineffective tax management practices and limited technological integration, resulting in low revenue generation. Given these issues, this study investigates the moderating role of information technology (IT) adoption on the relationship between tax management practices and the performance of SIRS in South-West Nigeria. The study aimed to examine both the direct and interaction effects of tax management and IT on institutional performance. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting a population of 8,142 staff across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States. A sample size of 381 was determined using Taro Yamane statistical formula and Morgan’s table and selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that tax management practices have a statistically significant positive effect on performance (β = 0.471, p < 0.001), as does IT adoption (β = 0.392, p < 0.001). However, the moderating effect of IT on the relationship between tax management and performance was statistically insignificant (β = 0.041, p = 0.287). The study concludes that while both tax practices and IT adoption independently improve SIRS performance, their interaction does not produce an additional significant effect under current conditions. The study recommends that SIRSs should continue flourishing investments in staff training, IT infrastructure, and administrative alignment to strengthen institutional capacity and improve their tax administration efficiencies

INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTCOMES: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA’S PROVINCES

The deployment of robots across various sectors has become a defining feature of technological modernization and economic transformation. This study investigates the economic impact of industrial robot adoption on productivity, employment, and wage dynamics using panel data from Chinese provinces between 2000 to 2023. This study adopts a quantitative research design employing panel data econometrics to investigate the impact of industrial robot adoption on economic productivity and labor market outcomes across countries and sectors. as well as median wage growth. Specifically, the paper applied the fixed effects, difference-in-differences (DiD), and instrumental variable (IV) regressions, the analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between robot density and total factor productivity (TFP) However, robot adoption is associated with modest employment declines, particularly in regions with lower human capital levels. Interaction models further indicate that the positive effects of robots are amplified in areas with a higher share of skilled labor, supporting the theory of labor market polarization. These findings underscore the importance of complementary investments in education, R&D, and reskilling programs to fully realize the benefits of automation while mitigating its social costs. We recommend that policymakers must craft holistic responses that mitigate displacement risks while amplifying the productivity and wage-enhancing potentials of automation. Moreso, policy makers should scale up investments in technical and vocational education to ensure that workers can transition into complementary roles as technology evolves. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to foster inclusive growth in the age of intelligent automation

RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING QUALITY OF ORGANISED COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Cooperative societies have shown evidence of resilience as a result of the pooled nature of funding, this has enhanced its prominent role in financial inclusion and economic development globally. However, despite these roles, cooperative societies in Nigeria still experience challenges such as poor financial reporting quality, high loan default rate and inadequate risk management strategies. Effect of risk management on financial reporting quality of organised cooperative societies in South-west, Nigeria is examined in this research. Longitudinal research design was employed. 812 and 152 were population and sample respectively which was achieved through purposive sampling technique. Data were sourced from audited financial reports of sampled cooperative societies for twelve years (2012-2023). And analysed with aid of regression analysis techniques. The result revealed that leverage {z=0.598(p=0.004} and rate of loan default {z=0.304(p=0.044} have affirmative statistically significant effect on discretionary accrual while cash flow volatility {z=-0.0088(p=0.924} has adverse statistically insignificant effect. The study then concludes that the measures of risk management have positive statistically significant influence on financial reporting quality. In accord with the results of this research, the study then recommends that management committee of cooperative societies have to put in place strategic policies such as periodic evaluation of loan schedule to ensure members repay their loans as at when due in line with the loan contract agreement and defaulters are adequately penalise

A SPATIAL-QUANTILE-FRONTIER ANALYSIS OF FINTECH-ENERGY TRANSITION: SPILLOVERS AND DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF FINTECH ON RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Amid growing global urgency for climate action, innovative financial mechanisms are critical for advancing renewable energy transitions in developing economies. This study investigates the role of financial technology (fintech), with a focus on foreign portfolio investment (FPI), in influencing renewable energy investment (REINV) across 54 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America from 2010 to 2023. Employing a multi-method empirical approach, comprising Spatial Durbin Models (SDM), Quantile Regression (QR), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Spatial Quantile Regression (SQR), the research captures spatial dependencies, distributional heterogeneity, and efficiency dynamics. The SDM results indicate that FPI significantly increases REINV both directly (1.112) and indirectly through spillover effects (0.445), supported by significant spatial autocorrelation (0.334). Economic development and institutional quality also play key roles, with GDP per capita and institutional quality exerting positive and significant direct effects. Quantile regression reveals that FPI has a stronger influence at higher quantiles of REINV, with coefficients rising from 0.745 to 1.445, highlighting distributional inequality in fintech impact. SFA results show that FPI also enhances technical efficiency (0.912), though diminishing marginal returns are evident. Greater financial depth and electricity access reduce inefficiency, while inflation worsens it. Spatial quantile regression further confirms that regional spillovers are more pronounced among high-investment countries, underscoring the role of spatial dynamics in clean energy financing. The findings suggest that fintech can be a catalyst for renewable energy growth, especially in countries with higher institutional and financial capacity. Policy recommendations include strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing regulatory coordination, and ensuring macroeconomic stability to fully leverage fintech\u27s potential. Future research should explore emerging fintech tools such as decentralized finance and blockchain-based green bonds

ROLE OF TAX INCENTIVES IN PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF SMES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are widely recognized as critical drivers of economic development, employment generation, and innovation in Nigeria. However, in Lagos State, SMEs continue to face numerous challenges, including high tax burdens and limited government support, which hinder entrepreneurial growth and sustainability. This study investigated the role of tax incentives in promoting entrepreneurial development among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Using a sample of 150 respondents, the study examined the effects of three major tax incentive components tax holidays, tax deductions, and capital allowances—on the start-up, growth, and sustainability of SMEs. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using simple linear regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that tax holidays significantly influenced the early growth of SMEs, tax deductions enhanced their operational performance and reinvestment capacity, while capital allowances positively impacted long-term expansion and sustainability. These results underscore the importance of a well-structured tax incentive framework in supporting entrepreneurial activities. The study concluded that effective and accessible tax incentives play a crucial role in fostering SME development and recommended the expansion, simplification, and strategic implementation of tax relief policies to stimulate entrepreneurship and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria