MEDIATING ROLE OF GREEN COMMITMENT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND GREEN EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOUR: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual model that can facilitate employee green behaviour among staff of tertiary healthcare institutions in Nigeria. Past studies have shown that green human resource management practices have a significant influence on employees green behaviour. Green commitment was identified as a mediating variable to facilitate the relationship between the two constructs. Consequently, the study draws from the conservation of resources theory and proposes how individual strive to obtain, protect, and foster resources that they value. When employees perceive that they have sufficient resources such as training and support, they tend to be committed to engage in green behaviour. The study will be useful to policy makers in overcoming the problem of lack of green employee behaviour among staff in health institutions.  &nbsp

DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPACITIES FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: THE ROLE OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Nigeria faces a persistent youth unemployment crisis, driven largely by a mismatch between academic education and labor market needs. This study explores how Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) can be restructured to enhance youth entrepreneurial capacities and contribute meaningfully to national development. The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of VTE in preparing students for self-employment and job creation, while identifying structural challenges limiting its impact. A mixed-methods research design was employed, incorporating policy review, content analysis of literature, and empirical data collected from 120 VTE students across two institutions in Kogi State. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and regression analysis. The findings revealed that 71% of respondents held a positive perception of VTE, 88% believed it could alleviate poverty, and 78% expressed an interest in post-training entrepreneurship. However, major constraints were identified, including lack of industry internship opportunities, outdated curricula, insufficient practical exposure, and weak ICT integration. Regression results indicated that practical training and entrepreneurship education significantly predicted entrepreneurial intent. Comparative analysis with global models such as Germany’s dual system and South Korea’s industry-linked training highlighted best practices currently missing in Nigeria’s VTE landscape. The study concludes that while VTE holds strong potential for youth empowerment, it requires urgent reforms in curriculum design, industry partnership, and funding mechanisms. The research recommends integrating ICT and innovation into VTE curricula, establishing public–private partnerships, enhancing institutional infrastructure, and promoting VTE as a first-choice career path. With strategic intervention, VTE can serve as a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship, job creation, and long-term economic transformation in Nigeria

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF SELECTED HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (HRM) PRACTICES ON SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) PERFORMANCE IN KATSINA STATE

This paper investigates how Human Resource Management (HRM) practices affect the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It focuses on recruitment and selection, training and development, and reward and compensation strategies in Katsina State. The paper aimed to explore the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Katsina State. Specifically, it evaluates the impact of recruitment and selection, training and development, and reward and compensation strategies. Using G*Power 3.1.9.7, a sample of 271 SMEs was selected from a total population of 1,355. The study used a descriptive survey design. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and the results were analysed using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The findings indicate that training and development practices have significant positive relationship with SMEs business performance. Training and development practices have significant positive effect on business performance, while reward and compensation systems also have significant positive influence on business performance of SMEs.  The study concludes and recommends that, rather than relying on generic or borrowed HR models, SMEs should develop scalable and context-responsive HRM frameworks tailored to local socio-economic realities in Katsina State. These should integrate informal practices common in SME settings with formal HRM principles to enhance relevance and adoption

Assessment of organizational culture and its influence on employees' performance: Evidence from IBB University, Lapai

Human beings are very crucial to the achievement of the goals and objectives of every Institution. People in Institution are guided by the beliefs, ideas and meaning that are inherit in the Institution. The study sought to assess organizational culture and it's influence on employee performance. The specific objectives include to explore the influence of clay culture on employee's performance in IBBU, Lapai, to analyse the influence of hierarchy culture on employee's performance in IBBU, Lapai, to find out the influence of adhocracy culture on employee's performance in IBBU, Lapai. The population of the study comprises of employees of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. This represents 313 academic staff and 825 non-teaching staff.  Stratified sampling technique was used to select sample of 296. The data were collected through primary source. The instrument of data analysis is multiple regression. The findings of the study revealed that clay and adhocracy culture have significant influence on employee performance and that hierarchy culture have no significant influence on employee performance. The study concluded that there is no significant relationship between hierarchy culture and employee performance in IBBU, Lapai. It was recommended that institutional managers should establish an effective organizational culture to enhance employee performance. This involves creating a sound work environment through the establishment of a transparent work culture and performance management system

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS ON BOTH PURCHASE AND SWITCHING INTENTIONS OF FMCG CONSUMERS IN NIGERIA

The purpose of this study was to investigate how social media influencers affect Nigerian consumers' purchase and switching intentions regarding fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design, employing the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model for data analysis. The target population comprised social media users in Nigeria who actively engage with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to respondents, while relevant secondary data were obtained from published sources. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings of the study revealed a positive and significant relationship between social media influencers on the selected platforms and consumers’ purchase intentions. The study thus concluded that social media platforms should address influencer-related issues that significantly impact consumer switching and purchase intentions

AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: MEDIATING THE ROLE OF INFLATION

  This paper is set out to examine the impact of macroeconomic performance on industrial development in Nigeria over the period of 1981 to 2020. The paper employed Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) Model to examine the impact of macroeconomic performance, inflation rate and real interest rate on industrial development over the aforesaid period. The results of bound test approach revealed that macroeconomic performance has significant positive impact on industrial development. However, inflation rate has significant negative impact on industrial development over the study period. On the other hand, real interest rate is statistically insignificant in the period. It is concluded that macroeconomic performance promotes industrial development in Nigeria. The study recommended that the government should intensify efforts and provide appropriate rewards for private individuals in order to promote macroeconomic performance and thus industrial development in Nigeria. Secondly, it is also recommended that government should implement Export Import Strategies to encourage and incentivize the domestic companies to compete with the foreign companies in both the domestic and foreign markets so that Nigerians might no longer depend on imports but rather export industrial goods to the rest of the world.

ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL IN INTELLIGENCE ON DECISION MAKING AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF JOS ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IN NIGERIA

This study explored the impact of AI on the Jos Electric Distribution Company (JEDC), a key player in Nigeria's power distribution landscape. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing stratified sampling to collect data from the respondents. Questionnaires were distributed to employees of Jos Electric Distribution Company (JEDC), with a total population of 650. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were applied within each stratum, and a sample size of 248 was determined, with an additional 10% margin of safety. The data were analyzed using regression analysis, with a 5% level of significance to test the hypotheses aligned with the study's objectives. The findings demonstrate that there is significant relationship between organizing competencies and performance. The study concluded that artificial intelligence is instrumental in improving the business performance and strategic operations of Jos Electric Distribution Company. The study recommended that Jos Electric Distribution Company should prioritize the integration of artificial intelligence into its operations to enhance business performance and strategic planning

EFFECT OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN KATSINA METROPOLIS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY

In spite of recognized significant contribution of SMEs to the world economy, Nigerian SMEs performance is below expectations. This is because SMEs in Nigeria faces severe limitations in financial management, modern technology and technical expertise among others. The objective of this study is to investigate the mediating role of financial literacy in the relationship between Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), and Perceived Risks (PR)and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) performance in Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria. A sample size of 399 owner managers were selected using simple random sampling technique. The data collected was screen and analyzed using SPSS AND Smart PLS 3.0. The finding revealed that both Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness have significant positive effects on SMEs performance. While Perceived Risk did not show a significant direct effect on performance, it significantly influenced financial literacy. Furthermore, all three FinTech constructs Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Perceived Risks were found to significantly impact financial literacy, which in turn strongly predicted SMEs performance. The mediation analysis confirmed that financial literacy significantly mediates the relationship between FinTech adoption and SMEs performance, emphasizing the critical role of financial education in optimizing the benefits of FinTech tools. The study implications for practices and limitations are discussed.   Keywords: Financial Literacy, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived ease of use, Perceived risk, SMEs Performance

FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AS A TOOL FOR FRAUD DETECTION AND PREVENTION IN THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR

  Fraud-related issues in the public sector have become a thing of worry globally. However, no gain saying that issues bothering on fraud are not limited the public sector organizations alone. Hence, in order to prevent reoccurring of the ugly incident associated with fraud, forensic accounting is needed. This study assessed forensic accounting as a tool for fraud detection and prevention in the Nigerian public sector. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Population of this study was five thousand three hundred and twenty-eight (5,328) staff of the Nigerian public sector. The sample size for this study was three hundred and seventy (370) respondents. Data were collected through questionnaire which were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, that is, ordinary least square (OLS) regression technique to establish the relationship that exist among variables in addition to the test of hypotheses. The findings showed positive significant relationship between forensic expert consultation and fraud detection and prevention. Forensic accounting service has significant negative impact on fraud detection and prevention. Forensic litigation support skills have positive significant influence on fraud detection and prevention in the Nigerian Public Sector. Consequently, the study recommended that forensic accounting units should be equipped with modern forensic tools and staffed by professionals trained in digital forensics and data analytics. The Federal Ministry of Finance should create a roster of certified forensic experts for on-demand consultation and mandate their involvement in high-value procurement processes. Performance metrics for these experts should emphasize preventive outcomes rather than just post-fraud investigations. The study recommends establishing specialized forensic evidence units within the EFCC and ICPC to properly document and preserve evidence for prosecution

EFFECT OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE MORAL DEVELOPMENT IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU

This study investigates the effect of ethical leadership on employee moral development at Federal University Gusau, Nigeria, addressing a critical gap in research on ethical leadership within Nigerian higher education institutions, where systemic challenges like corruption and weak accountability persist. The study specifically examines three dimensions of ethical leadership—role modeling, moral guidance, and support for employee development—to determine their impact on staff moral reasoning and ethical behavior. Using a quantitative research design, data was collected from 329 academic and non-academic staff through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings reveal that role modeling (β = 0.370, p < 0.001) and support for employee development (β = 0.422, p < 0.001) significantly enhance moral development, while moral guidance (β = 0.005, p = 0.946) shows no significant effect, suggesting that ethical leadership must go beyond verbal directives to include visible behavioral examples and structured developmental support. The study concludes that Federal University Gusau should institutionalize ethical leadership training, mentorship programs, and transparent accountability mechanisms to foster a culture of integrity. Recommendations include integrating ethical leadership into promotion criteria and conducting further research on mediating factors and cross-cultural comparisons to strengthen ethical practices in Nigerian universities. This research contributes to both theoretical and practical discussions on cultivating ethical workplaces in higher education.   KEYWORDS: Service quality, Customer loyalty, Public Transportation, SPSS, Smart PL