Circular Economy strategies of social enterprises in Lagos: a case study approach

The circular economy (CE) framework has the potential to play a vital role in facilitating a different kind of development in low and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, due to its promise of improving resource productivity, creating jobs and minimizing environmental degradation from human and economic activities. This thesis addresses how the CE is conceptualized and how its principles can be established in an African context, such as Lagos Nigeria, focusing on social enterprises (SEs) as the object of study, thereby responding to calls that links SEs to sustainable development and that explores the socio-institutional or behavioral changes necessary for achieving circularity. It explores the overarching research question: How are social enterprises establishing a circular economy in Lagos? Following a case study strategy, nine SEs operating in the waste sector in Lagos were studied by triangulating the data obtained from in-depth interviews, documents, and archival records. This study demonstrates practical CE implementation examples as findings from the data analysis shows how SEs are organizing differently to collect, aggregate and upcycle waste materials, while also engaging in clean-up and advocacy programs to retrieve more recyclables from the environment. It highlights volume-drivers, core-transformers, and clean-advocates as examples of new circular models that can be advanced and adapted to make a living from waste in low-income and resource scarce environments. By demonstrating how commercial, social, and environmental objectives are being pursued, this thesis contributes to the understanding of hybrid organizing in a LMIC context and shows how the CE embraces the social dimension of sustainable development beyond only job creation. Additionally, this thesis shows how institutional logics and institutional work can be combined to study the CE, contributing to calls on the concept’s underexplored institutional perspectives. It highlights institutional work in an African context by showing that establishing the CE in Lagos requires disrupting the logic of waste mostly seen as a thing to be thrown away. By changing existing and legitimating new waste practices, while maintaining a formal organizational structure, SEs are disrupting the logic of waste and establishing the CE in Lagos. The effect of their purposive activities on informal waste pickers in Lagos were discussed, while also drawing out policy and practice implications of the findings for advancing CE initiatives in Lagos and Nigeria, as well as in other LMICs

Impact of Decadence of Education on the National Security and Sustainable Governance in Nigeria

This paper investigates the causes for the decadence and continuous decline of education and its impact on the national security and sustainable governance in Nigeria. The paper with the use of descriptive design along with the secondary data collection, analyses the various negative ways the continuous and incessant closure of the public educational institutions in Nigeria can have on the national security and sustainable democratic governance in Nigeria state. The finding of this paper is that the government has not done enough to arrest the situation, and that the country is therefore heading toward total disintegration. The paper also believes that the inadequate budgeting for the educational sector has contributed greatly to the inefficiency of Nigeria’s educational institutions at all levels. The paper therefore recommends that the governments should revisit their budget provisions by voting more funds for this important sector and as a matter of urgency, the government at the central levels should speedily resolve the ongoing strike of public university staff, while those closed institutions since February 2022 be opened within a shortest period in order to return the students back to their schools

Comparative effects of undigested and anaerobically digested poultry manure on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays, L)

A comparative study of the effects of undigested and anaerobically digested poultry manure and conventional inorganic fertilizer on the growth characteristics and yield of maize was investigated at Ibadan, Nigeria. The pot experiment consisted of sixty (60) nursery bags, set out in the greenhouse. The treatments, thoroughly mixed with soil, were: control (untreated soil), inorganic fertilizer, (NPK 20:10:10) applied at the 120 kgN/ha; air-dried undigested and anaerobically digested manure applied at 12.5 g/pot, or 25.0 g/pot or 37.5 g/pot, and or 50.0 g/pot. Plant height, stem girth, leaf area, number of leaves at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) and stover mass and grain yield were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P 0.05 was used to further determine the relationships among the factors investigated. Generally, results in respect of crops treated with digested manure, were quite comparable with those treated with undigested manure and inorganic fertilizer, right from 2WAP to 6WAP. Stover yield was increased to as much as 1.58, 1.65 and 2.07 times by inorganic fertilizer, digested and undigested manure, respectively while grain yields were increased by only 200% with inorganic fertilizer, but by up to 812 and 933% by digested and undigested manure, respectively. In conclusion, digested poultry manure enhanced the growth characteristics of the treated plants for the maize variety used. As observed, the order of grain yield was undigested manure > digested manure > inorganic fertilizer

Climatic variations, trends and drought frequency in Dejen District, Nile Basin of Ethiopia

Temperature and rainfall variability affect systems such as water, agriculture, health, tourism, coastal areas, and biodiversity. This study examined climatic variability, and trends in Dejen district, Nile Basin of Ethiopia. The trends in temperature and rainfall over the period 1979- 2014 were computed and tested for statistical significance. Results indicated a significant increase in temperature consistent with global temperature pattern. The decreasing trend in rainfall is contrary to the projections of a climate model for East Africa.The results show that the mean annual temperature increased by 1.66 OC. The maximum and minimum temperatures also rose by 2.16 OC and 1.91 OC respectively. The yearly rainfall declined by 399.96 millimeters. From 36 years of observation, 2002 and 2012 received below the average rainfall and characterized by arid years while 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014 years were moderately dry. The year 1983, 1986, 1987, 1996, 1998, and 2010 were moderately wet. Among these negative patterns, the year 2002 and 2012 were extreme drought years. In the Nile Basin of Ethiopia, the variability and trends of temperature and rainfall, which hinders agricultural production are increasing and expected to increase in the future. This implies that the country specifically the study area whose mainstay depends on agriculture must cope with further warming, low, and erratic rainfall, and frequent climatic extremes.Keywords: Climate change, drought frequency, standardized precipitation index, rainfall variation

Elementary Teachers\u27 and Administrators\u27 Experiences of Implementation of Culturally Relevant Social-Emotional Instruction

Meeting the social-emotional needs of a diverse student body has proven challenging for US school district leaders, leading to considerable research on culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). Teachers and administrators have noted challenges in implementing CRP in social-emotional learning (SEL) programs within their existing curricula. In this basic qualitative study, elementary school teachers and administrators shared their experiences integrating CRP into the SEL curriculum within Title I public schools for Grades 3 through 5. Bronfenbrenner\u27s ecological systems theory informed data collection and analysis. The research questions focused on the participants\u27 experiences and perspectives regarding incorporating SEL and CRP into the curriculum. Purposeful sampling was used to select 10 participants familiar with SEL and CRP and were currently implementing both in their school districts and classrooms. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with the participants. The data analysis, undergirded by provisional and initial coding methods, revealed two themes: abandoned at sea and look who\u27s not at dinner. Although participating teachers and administrators stated that implementing SEL and CRP is essential, both reported difficulties in applying SEL and CRP with fidelity. Race-related issues and how biases are communicated with colleagues were described with frustration. The study may lead to positive social change by providing insight into teachers\u27 and administrators\u27 perspectives and experiences of implementing SEL and CRP. With this knowledge, school district leaders may better develop, plan, implement, and modify training and support for teachers who plan to implement SEL and CRP