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

Determinants of desire for child spacing among women attending a family planning clinic in Kaduna, north western Nigeria

Background: Family planning (FP) refers to a conscious effort by a couple to limit or space the number of children they want using contraceptive methods. This study examined the determinants for child spacing among women of reproductive age at the family planning clinic of the Ungwan-Rimi Primary Health Care facility, Kaduna North LGA, North western, Nigeria.Methods: The study was a retrospective cross-sectional review of the records of 1351 clients who accessed FP services at the facility between June 2010 and May 2017. A proforma was used to extract required information from the clients’ records. Data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0 and STATA/SE 12. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05Results: The median (IQR) age of the clients was 27 (8.0) years. Majority 883 (65.4%) completed at least secondary education. A greater proportion of the clients’ 1119 (82.8%) desired child spacing compared to child limiting 232 (17.2%). Bivariate analysis showed that younger age (p<0.001), attainment of up to a secondary education (p=0.04), parity < 4, (p<0.001) and last child birth (LCB) <1year, (p<0.001) were significantly associated with desire for child spacing. Multiple logistic regression analysis further revealed that the older age group ≥ 35 years (AOR=3.72, 95%CI=2.21-6.63) parity of ≥ 4 (AOR=2.35, 95%CI = 1.6-3.46) and use of long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) (AOR=1.40, 95%CI=1.02-1.91) were significantly associated with increased odds of no desire for child spacing.Conclusion: This study shows that clients’ age group, parity and preference for LARC influenced behavioral attitudes for child spacing.Keywords: Family planning, Child spacing, Child limiting, Nigeri

A Study of the Expectation vs Experience of International Students at UK Universities

The background of higher education has been changing over the past two decades. In 2009, the estimated number of students registered outside their country of citizenship was almost 3.7 million (OECD, 2011). The international activities of universities in the United Kingdom (UK) have increased dramatically in volume, scope and complexity over the last decade. In addition, the knowledge of risen tuition fees, university funding cuts and doubts of declining student numbers has all contributed to the change. Therefore, achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in the higher education sector is important and at the forefront of many universities. In response, an “action research” method is agreed primarily using an adapted SERVQUAL instrument to examine expectations and experience of service quality among a sample of postgraduate international students at four leading UK universities. Study into service quality in a higher educational environment is insufficient, and where studies have been undertaken, very little has been done among postgraduates. The research findings suggest that the instrument utilised is suitable in a postgraduate context, and the statements load on the adapted SERVQUAL dimensions of Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (1985, 1988). In an attempt to improve service quality at UK universities and to add to the knowledge base, several recommendations are obtained, and some trend for future research is suggested

Investigation of ethanol productivity of cassava crop as a sustainable source of biofuel in tropical countries

The ethanol productivity of cassava crop was investigated in a laboratory experiment by correlating volumes and masses of ethanol produced to the masses of samples used. Cassava tubers (variety TMS 30555) were peeled, cut and washed. 5, 15, 25 and 35 kg samples of the tubers were weighed in three replicates, soaked in water for a period of a day, after which each sample was dried, crushed and the mash mixed with 500 ml of N-hexane (C 6 H 14 ). This crushed mash was then allowed to ferment for a period of 8 days and afterwards pressed on a 0.6 mm aperture size and sieved to yield the alcohol contained in it. The alcohol was heated at 79°C for 10 h at intervals of 2 h followed by an h cooling. Ethanol yield was at average volumes of 0.31, 0.96, 1.61 and 2.21 litres, respectively, for the selected masses of cassava samples. Quantitative relationships were obtained to relate the masses of cassava used to the masses and volumes of ethanol produced. These were used to relate known production values of cassava from tropical countries to ethanol that can be potentially produced. The ethanol had boiling point of 78.5°C and relative density of 0.791. The dried mash was found to contain 61.8 calories of food energy per 100 g. This study found that a total of 6.77 million tonnes or 1338.77 million gallons of ethanol are available from total cassava production from tropical countries. The production and use of ethanol from cassava crop is recommended in the cassava-growing tropical countries of the world

Predictors of Intensive Phase Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a threat to successful TB treatment outcomes in developing nations like Nigeria. This study determined the predictors of intensive phase treatment outcomes in MDR-TB patients in Zaria, Nigeria.Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional review of the records of 124 MDR-TB patients registered between September 2012 and August 2017 at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Saye, Zaria. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 and the StataCorp STATA/SE 14.Results: The median age (IQR) of the respondents was 32 (15) years. The gene Xpert test detected Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin resistance (RIF) in 119 (96.0%) cases. The treatment success rate was 97 (78.2%). MDR-TB and HIV co-infection rate was 17 (13.7%) while the case fatality rate was 16.1%. Bivariate analysis showed that being male (p=0.001), not currently in marital union (p=0.01) and positive smear results at 1 month (p=0.027)) were significantly associated with treatment success. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the odds for successful treatment outcome was 4 times higher for the MDR-TB patients who were employed than the unemployed (AOR= 3.98, 95% CI= 1.15-13.74). No significant relationship between MDR-TB-HIV comorbidity (AOR=1.89, 95% CI=0.44-8.19), MDR-TB susceptible to Isoniazid (AOR= 0.49, 95% CI =0.15-1.56) and successful treatment outcome.Conclusion: Unemployment was a predictor of poor treatment outcome in this study. Cause-specific mortality due to the MDR TB was high in this setting. We advocate for optimization of access to treatment and social support system, especially for the female patients. Keywords: Gene Xpert; Intensive phase; MDR-TB; Treatment outcomes; Nigeria

Evidence of Heavy Metals Distribution in Placenta in Association with Residual Levels in Some Dams’ Organs from Bodija abattoir, Oyo State, Nigeria

Heavy metals have been known to be causing serious detrimental effect on the health of livestock and human populace in general. However, little study had been carried out on the ability of heavy metal to cross placental barrier, which has already been bio-accumulated in the dam. Therefore, this study aimed at showing the evidence of placental barrier crossing by selected heavy metals. The study was carried out in Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo-state, Nigeria, located on latitude 70020N, longitude 3005E. A cross-sectional study design was adopted and lasted for 6 weeks. Samples were collected from kidney cortices, apical lobe of dam’s liver and a portion of fetal placenta. 12 sample each from liver, kidney and the placenta which were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results were subjected to descriptive statistics, t-test and correlation using SPSS17.0 package.From this study cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) residues were not found in the samples, while chromium (Cr) was found in all the samples (100% prevalence) and the total prevalence for the heavy metals in the study was 33.4%. The mean chromium (Cr) residual values in placenta, kidney and liver were 0.89±0.66mg/kg, 1.32±0.94mg/kg and 1.00±0.87 mg/kg respectively. The correlation between chromium (Cr) in the dam’s kidney and placenta was 0.3, while for the dam’s liver and placenta was 0.6.  In comparison with permissible limit, the residual level in kidney 1.32±0.94, liver 1.00±0.87 and placenta 0.89±0.66, were within the permissible limit. The study revealed that chromium (Cr) residue was a major challenge in the organs sampled. Liver of the dam had the highest level of bioaccumulation and stronger correlation in the distribution to the placenta. It is therefore recommended that attention should be paid on the disposal of chromium (Cr) residues on the grazing floor where the bulk of the residues were from. Keywords: Heavy metals, Liver, Kidney, Placenta and cattle

Biodiesel production from palm olein: A sustainable bioresource for Nigeria

Dangerous environmental consequences and market unpredictability of fossil fuels have necessitated the need for sustainable large-scale production of biofuel in Nigeria. Unrefined palm oil (UPO) is a significant product of commercially available oil palm plants in the country. This study experimentally investigates the production of biodiesel from refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) palm olein extracted from UPO obtained from batch reactors. The transesterification process of the RBD palm olein with methanol and in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst produced biodiesel with a 62.5% yield, thus confirming its feasibility for mass production. The derived biodiesel has properties equivalent to ASTM D792 standard for biodiesel fuels

Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in Nigerian preschool children subsisting on high intakes of carotenes

The prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency was determined in 204 preschool children of both sexes aged 3–57 months. The children were recruited from 2 rural communities of Atakumosa Local Government Area of Osun State in South West Nigeria. Dietary vitamin A intake was estimated from frequency of consumption of locally available vitamin A containing food items. Vitamin A status of the children was assessed from concentration of retinol in plasma. Nutritional status was assessed from height and weight compared with international reference standards. The results indicate widespread malnutrition among the children. The prevalence of stunting (low height for age) was 60.8% while prevalence of wasting (low weight for height) was 7.4% and of underweight (low weight for age) 27.5%. Dietary vitamin A intake appeared to be adequate in the children. Intake of vitamin A is predominantly from plant sources. At least 43% of the children consumed the carotene rich red palm oil 6 or more times per week in contrast to less than 1% who consumed eggs or milk for 6 or more times per week. Vitamin A deficiency was low in the children. Only 11.3% of the children had plasma retinol concentration <0.70µmol/L. The results indicate that childhood malnutrition of public health magnitude can coexist with adequate dietary vitamin A intakes or vitamin A status

Experimental Performance of the Energetic Characteristics of a Domestic Refrigerator with Al2O3 Nanolubricant and LPG Refrigerant

This paper studies the experimental performance of the energetic characteristics of a slightly modified domestic refrigerator infused with nano-lubricant containing different concentrations of Al2O3 (at 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/L) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charge of 40g. Parameters investigated were power consumption, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), discharge temperature, volumetric refrigerating capacity (VRC) and pressure ratio. The findings showed that when the nano-based lubricants were compared with pure oil, the power at 0.6g/L concentration, gave the best performance of 67.01W, at different time over 180 minutes’ periods. The discharge pressure of the system when compared to pure-oil at 0.6g/L concentrations exhibited acceptable value of 616. 33kPa. For the cabinet temperature, it was seen that the 0.6g/L had the lowest recorded temperature of -8.7ºC after 180 minutes. With the coefficient of performance, the 0.2g/L concentration had the highest average performance of 2.239 at 180 minutes. The highest average performance of 174.225 kW over 180 minutes was found as the refrigerating capacity at 02.g/L concentration. The nano-lubricant can be concluded to work safely in the refrigerator but better optimization in nano-application will still be needed for better results