LEVERAGING ISLAMIC FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY TO DEEPEN FINANCIAL INCLUSION

The study aims at examining the impacts of Islamic Financial Technology on deepen financial inclusion. Hence, this study assessed the effect of online banking, mobile banking App, ATM of Noninterest bank on financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research approach which assumes positivist paradigm using a cross sectional research design, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed the data collected from Lotus Bank Customers with Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (Smart Pls 2). The results of the study revealed that online banking, mobile banking App and ATM have positive significant effect financial inclusion. The study therefore recommended to management of those bank to devote more time and resources to ensure significant improvement in service quality. Also, Government bodies and policy makers are advised to provide financial and nonfinancial support to those banks which in turn can upsurge economic growth and sustainability

TALENT ATTRACTION AND EMPLOYEE TASK PERFORMANCE IN DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the impact of talent attraction on employee task performance. A dataset of 253 employees from deposit money banks in ondo state, Nigeria, were selected through a stratified random sampling technique, the research employed simple regression analysis using SPSS v25 to evaluate how these practices influence employee performance outcomes. The findings indicate that talent attraction significantly enhance employee task performance. The study concludes that strategic talent attraction practices are crucial for improving various dimensions of employee performance. The findings emphasize the effectiveness of targeted talent attraction strategies in enhancing employee performance.&nbsp

ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

  This study examines the relationship between Islamic banking and financial inclusion in Northwestern Nigeria, addressing the gap in existing literature on the role of Shariah-compliant financial products, banking infrastructure, and adherence to Shariah principles in fostering financial inclusion. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 321 respondents through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that the presence of Islamic banking branches and outlets (PIBO) has the most significant positive impact on financial inclusion, while adherence to Shariah compliance (ASC) also fosters trust and encourages participation in formal financial systems. However, the availability of Shariah-compliant products (ASCP) alone does not significantly enhance financial inclusion without improved accessibility and awareness. The study concludes that expanding Islamic banking infrastructure, promoting financial literacy, and ensuring strict adherence to Shariah principles are critical for enhancing financial inclusion in the region. Recommendations include increasing the number of Islamic banking branches, launching targeted financial education programs, simplifying Shariah-compliant products, and addressing gender disparities in financial access. Future research should explore longitudinal and comparative studies, the impact of digital banking, and the socio-economic effects of Islamic banking to further inform policy and practice

MANUFACTURING SECTOR OUTPUT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA: AN AUTOREGRESSIVE DISTRIBUTIVE LAG AND ERROR CORRECTION MODEL APPROACH

This study examines the relationship between manufacturing output and economic growth in Nigeria (1981-2023). Using ARDL and ECM techniques, we identify significant temporal dynamics, revealing a robust short-term positive correlation between manufacturing and GDP growth. The negative, statistically significant ECM coefficient confirms a stable long-term equilibrium relationship. Key findings show a 1% manufacturing increase contributes to long-run GDP growth, confirming the sector's developmental importance. Construction shows similar positive effects, while crude petroleum exhibits unexpected negative impacts, highlighting structural imbalances in Nigeria's resource-dependent economy. Contrary to expectations, inflation demonstrates a positive relationship, suggesting unique macroeconomic dynamics in developing contexts. The study makes three contributions: Firstly, providing updated empirical evidence using recent data, secondly, pioneering analysis of sectorial interdependencies, and thirdly, advancing methodology through ARDL-ECM techniques that capture both short-term dynamics and long-term equilibrium. Policy implications emphasize targeted interventions to enhance manufacturing's growth potential. Thus findings suggest that targeted government interventions in the manufacturing sector particularly in infrastructure development, access to credit, and technological upgrading could significantly enhance its growth-generating potential. The study recommends a three-pronged policy approach such as, implementation of sector-specific incentives to boost manufacturing productivity, development of integrated industrial policies that strengthen backward and forward linkages, and establishment of stable macroeconomic conditions to support sustained industrial growth.  

EFFECT OF INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION ON INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE OF ACADEMIC STAFF OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

This study examines the effect of interdisciplinary collaboration on innovative performance of Academic Staff of Federal Universities in North Central, Nigeria using Structural Equation Model (SEM) to analyse the 378 valid responses collected through the use of questionnaire in Microsoft Form from the Academic Staff. The study used Cross Disciplinary Publication (CDP), Cross Listed Courses (CLC), Inter-Disciplinary Centre (IDC), and Joint Research Project (JRP), as the main proxies for measuring interdisciplinary collaboration, while Research quality is used for measuring innovative performance. The study found that Interdisciplinary collaboration via CDP, CLC, IDC, and JRP has positive and significant effect on research quality of the Academic Staff of Federal Universities in North Central, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that the management of Federal Universities in North Central, Nigeria, should optimize the use of interdisciplinary collaboration for improving the innovative performance of Academic Staff in the area of qualities research by paying attention to variables such as Cross Disciplinary Publication (CDP), Cross Listed Courses (CLC), Inter-Disciplinary Centre (IDC), and Joint Research Project (JRP) in order to remain relevant as global change movers

MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NON-MONETARY COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

  This study investigates the mediating role of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) in the relationship between non-monetary compensation (promotion, recognition, working conditions, and training) and employee performance at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina State. Grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Organizational Support Theory, the study adopted a quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey design. Data were collected from 182 academic staff using structured questionnaires and analyzed through Pearson correlation and multiple regression techniques. The findings revealed that promotion, recognition, and work conditions had significant positive effects on employee performance, while training had no direct effect unless mediated by POS. Among the hypothesized mediations, POS only significantly mediated the relationship between training and performance. The model explained 48.4% of the variance in employee performance, indicating a moderate level of explanatory power. The study concludes that non-monetary compensation is vital for enhancing performance, particularly when employees perceive strong organizational support. It recommends that institutional leaders reinforce supportive HR practices and cultivate a caring organizational climate to maximize staff performance outcomes.

EXPLORING MEDIA THEORIES AND APPLICATION TO CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIAN MARKET

This study examined the various theories of the mass media in relation to consumer behaviour, applying them to the Nigerian market situation. The design was thematic content analysis. Media effects and consumer behaviour theories were the frameworks. The census sampling enhanced the selection and study of the relevant media theories coded thematically according to their categories and levels of effects. The implications of understanding consumer behaviour were also explored. Findings revealed a plethora of media effects and consumer behaviour theories influencing the buying decisions of the Nigerian final consumers; the limited media effect and all-powerful media theories opposed each other on the issue of the rationality of the Nigerian final consumer. The paper recommended that the Nigerian producers, advertisers, politicians, and sellers should study and understand the final consumers for effective production and exchange.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING PRACTICES AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE EDO STATE CIVIL SERVICE

This study investigated the impact of explicit, implicit, and tacit knowledge sharing on employee performance within the Edo State Civil Service. A quantitative research design was adopted, using structured questionnaires administered to a representative sample of Three hundred and fifty-five (355) civil servants, drawn from a population of 2,901 employees across various ministries and departments in Benin City. The sample size was determined using the Yamane formula. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and multiple regression techniques, via SPSS version 24.The findings revealed that explicit knowledge sharing (β = 10.158, p < 0.001) and tacit knowledge sharing (β = 6.693, p < 0.001) had a statistically significant positive effect on employee performance. However, implicit knowledge sharing (β = –0.188, p = 0.851) did not exhibit a significant relationship with performance. In light of these findings, the study recommends the implementation of structured knowledge management systems, such as digital knowledge repositories and formal mentoring programs, to facilitate the effective transfer of knowledge and enhance employee performance and operational efficiency across public sector institutions

IMPACT OF ACCESS TO FINANCE ON SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the impact of access to finance on small business growth and survival in Katsina State, Nigeria, where financial constraints disproportionately hinder SME development. Using a quantitative survey of 120 small business owners selected through stratified random sampling, the research analyzes key variables—financial access, growth indicators (revenue, employment, assets), survival rates, constraints (interest rates, collateral, bureaucracy), and institutional support—through descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, regression, ANOVA) in SPSS. Findings reveal a strong positive relationship between financial access and both business growth (r = 0.612, p < 0.01) and survival (β = 0.512, p < 0.05), though high collateral demands (mean = 4.01) and bureaucratic hurdles (mean = 3.80) limit formal credit uptake, particularly among women and rural entrepreneurs. While government interventions improved outcomes for beneficiaries (78% survival vs. 61% for non-beneficiaries), low participation rates (31.7%) highlight implementation gaps. The study validates the Pecking Order Theory and Credit Rationing Theory in Nigeria’s northern context, recommending collateral reforms, digital financial inclusion, and streamlined policies to enhance SME sustainability. These findings contribute to literature on regional SME financing and provide actionable insights for policymakers aiming to bridge financial inclusion gaps in underserved markets

JUST-IN-TIME INVENTORY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE OF FOAM MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN NASARAWA AND PLATEAU STATES NIGERIA

The just-in-time is the way to efficiency because it helps in cost reduction and time efficiency in production. This study exploresjust-in-time inventory management practices and supply chain performance of foam manufacturing companies in Nasarawa and Plateau states, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to; assess the effect of technology on the supply chain performance of foam manufacturing companies in Nasarawa and Plateau states, Nigeria and investigate the effect of warehouse system on supply chain performance of foam manufacturing companies in Nasarawa and Plateau states, Nigeria. From the manufacturers association of Nigeria (MAN) there is one foam manufacturing firm in each of Nasarawa and Plateau state, 497 employees that form the population of the study. The study used the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 244 for the study. A closed-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. The statistical tool used for analysis was descriptive statistics that is (mean, and standard deviation) and SPSS software version 25 was used for regression. The results show a positive and significant relationship between technology and supply chain performance and negative and insignificant relationshipbetween warehouse system and supply chain performance. The study recommended that both United and Vita foam should integrate digital application such as (AI, Blockchain, IoT, and Cloud based solution) in their operation, also Identify inefficiencies by evaluating the warehouse system and try to integrate the warehouse system with other supply chain system