An investigation of the sociocultural factors impacting on the transition to higher education by Nigerian nursing students in the UK via the use of Lego® serious play® methodology

Britain is historically the first country of choice for Nigerian students regarding overseas Higher Education and was the UK's third-largest international student cohort in the UK (Jubb, 2017). There has been an increase in the number of students from non-EU countries coming to the UK to study, and this might be increased due to uncertainties surrounding a potential exit of Brexit. This might lead to a decrease in the number of EU countries, and potentially, a large proportion of those places might be taken up by Nigerian students instead. This research project investigates the concept of internationalisation of the curriculum (IoC) in relation to the capacity that students have to adapt and transition into the UK Higher Education system. This project aims to investigate the sociocultural factors impacting on the transition to Higher Education of Nigerian Nursing Students including language, socio and cultural shock, learning approach, equality, safety and length of the transition period. Most Universities in the UK have developed their internationalisation of curriculum (IoC) that is bespoke to their institution and departments in response to HE policymakers. Therefore, there is no single universally accepted IoC due to content specificity of HE and different demographics in UK HEIs. A qualitative research methodology was used in this research with the use of the interpretive phenomenological approach. Qualitative research data was collected using the LEGO® Serious Play® method to facilitate story making through personal storytelling and metaphor by building a 3-D model resulting in the development of themes to inform the results and subsequent discussion. The participants are composed of alumni international nursing students of Nigerian origin who had undergone the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at a University campus in London. Ethical approval was obtained from the University X, and informed consent was assured from all the participants. Quirkos was used to analyse the collected data and to identify the most salient themes from the results of data collection. The result of the research showed that some of the factors that impact Nigeria students in the UK HEIs are based on their experience back home, which they transferred to their learning in the UK. The fear instilled by Nigerian lecturers back in Nigeria is the most salient factor that impacts Nigerian nursing students transition in the UK HE education due to their sociological background from Nigeria context; followed by the ambiguity of curricula including ambiguity in the articulation of the curriculum because there are some uncertainties in the curriculum which are not in the public domain and these being interpreted by each academics back in Nigeria in the way they feel. Furthermore, other factors include threatening behaviour from Nigerian lecturers, non-supportive Nigerian lecturers, nursing student misuse and lack of IT technology. The factors that impede students learning in the UK HEIs include the transfer of the students fear from Nigeria to the UK Higher Education, weather, cultural shock and the impact of university administration services. Culture and women's self-esteem, immigration- thick red tug of war a metaphorical statement by the participants to represent the problems faced about immigration issues, accommodation, supportive family, financial issues, cultural attachment theory are also some of the important factors that potentially impact upon their successful transition. Other factors include climbing the ladder to transition, completing assignments on the computer, family responsibilities and commitment, compressed assignment timelines as a consequence of bridging module. Also, the gap between taught and self-directed learning/independent learning, repetition of assignment questions and UK practice focused assessments, racism for being black, mode of dressing in the UK and own barriers to learning. The study i experiences have the potential to influence the current pedagogical experience, in accordance with the principles of social constructivism. Finally, it was revealed the transition period of entry to UK education varied between individuals, and these could be between four and six months for a programme that will finish in one year. The recommendations could clearly be delineated into two clear strands, for action at University X. he Assessment submissions are too tightly compressed in terms of their relative timing, increasing the academic teaching personnel ought to be subject to the University dissertation training strategy to enable common ground for all lecturers, to ensure consistency in supervisory capacity across the module. Enveloping different but equal assessment questions for different groups/cohorts to reduce plagiarism and Turnitin similarities, with markers aligning their marking processes to the liminal level Nigerian students studying in the UK can be clearly identified. In terms of interpersonal relationships with stude knowledge, the introduction of mentorship, peer observations, and one-to-one sessions with the constructive criticism are undoubtedly necessary, but this should not become a perceptibly threatening exercise for students. In order to ease the transitions of international students into new contexts and settings, universities ought also to consider increasing recruitment of staff, who have authentically experienced this themselves. By ensuring some representation of lecturing staff from countries other than those represented by the UK, a more authentic approach can be given to the process of student transitions. Also, the universities should recruit more lecturers from a minority background who transition from other countries to the UK. This will ease the transition for students with the aim of co-constructing knowledge with people they can empathise with rather than sympathise with their position and increase the contact hours with students - -directed learning hours need to be reduced. This could help Nigerian international students transition far more easily into the current infrastructures within which they are expected to adjust. Finally, a dedicated university student liaison officer who has good multicultural and international experience should be employed by Universities with the role of easing Nigerian transitions from a sociocultural perspective in addition to tailored academic support

The development of location adjustment factors for construction price estimating in Nigeria

This article explored the use of Location Factors (LFs) as an empirical tool for converting construction price at one location to price at another location. The objective was to generate LFs for selected locations to provoke interest in the concept. Firstly, locational factors influencing construction price were identified from literature. Then, based on a hypothetical project and using Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Abuja as pilot locations (with Lagos as the base location), LFs were calculated for the four locations. The LFs obtained were validated using tender prices for the primary school projects of the Universal Basic Education Programme financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The results showed that tender price levels were higher in Abuja and Port Harcourt and lower in Ibadan, compared to Lagos (the base location) on the basis of their location differences. Although the results underestimated the actual values of the LFs by only 8%, which is well within the acceptable level of early price estimating accuracy for quantity surveyors, the insufficient and scanty data used limits their statistical reliability. It is hoped that more detailed studies, based on more locations and using more project samples, would be carried in the near future to further the development of LFs for construction price estimating in Nigeria

Endogenous and exogenous factors in national development: inferences from the metaphor of witchcraft (Àjé) in Olátúbòsún O. ládàpò. ’s poetry.

This work engages political commentary in the work of Olátúbòsún Oládàpò, a Yorùbá poet. Its focus is on the way that political ideas and values that are rooted in Nigerian culture can inspire development. The study is an exegesis of a poem entitled Emi lo ó máa fàjéè re se? (“What will you do with your own witchcraft?). The reading explores the multilayered paradoxes and metaphors of witchcraft in the poem, concluding that the God-given abilities and capabilities possessed by Nigerians should be the bases for solving their national problems as the nation needs leaders of a vision and mission. The poet maintains that the Nigerian political leaders have a critical role to play in changing the fortune of the nation by leading by example. In addition, the poet opines that the single factor that explains the national economic stagnation is the lack of integrity and public spiritedness among the political leaders, illustrated through his metaphor of witchcraft.&nbsp

Effects of Forensic Accounting Techniques and Corporate Governance on Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of forensic accounting and corporate governance on the financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria.   Theoretical framework: This study drew upon Agency Theory, to provide a theoretical foundation for examining the governance of a company and the conflicts of interest that arise among its shareholders, managers, and major debt providers. This was introduced to support the concepts of forensic accounting and corporate governance.   Design/ Methodology/Approach: This study employed ex-post facto and panel data research designs. This study obtained data from the annual audited reports of deposit money banks that were listed in Nigeria. The study focused on a population of fifteen (15) deposit money banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). The study employed a purposive sampling technique to select ten (10) firms due to the availability of a complete dataset of the targeted population. This study covered a period of eleven years from the year 2012 to 2022.  The collected data in this study underwent analysis using both descriptive statistics and panel regression analysis techniques.   Findings: The results found that forensic accounting and corporate governance had a significant effect on the financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. This implies that these factors interact and contribute significantly to the banks' financial performance.   Conclusion: It was concluded that fraud case disclosure highlights the significance of transparency and reporting mechanisms in deterring fraudulent activities and safeguarding banks' financial performance.     Recommendation: The study recommends that deposit money banks should prioritize and improve the disclosure of fraud cases and mitigate fraud and other financial irregularities occurrences in order to cushion its adverse effects on financial performance and foster investor confidence

Gender Participation in Fish Harvesting Activities in Catch-Locations in Lagos State Nigeria: A Tool for Food Security and Sustainability

This study examined gender participation in fish harvesting activities in catch-locations in Lagos state Nigeria. This paper was based on the gender participation in fishing activities within the coastal areas of Lagos State with five study locations; Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Lekki and Makoko in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected through structured questionnaire. Chi-square analysis (x2= 22.6, df 2) revealed that gender participation was significantly different (P<0.05) thereby rejecting the null research hypothesis (Ho). Result obtained  revealed that majority (85.0%) of the respondents were between 26 – 55 years of age, with the mean age of 45.2years, most (75.0%) of the respondents were males and most (75.0%) of the respondents were married, while majority (81.7%) of the respondents had one form of formal education. Mean year of fishing experience was 15.6years, with the mean household size of 5persons. The study showed that several fish species were harvested in the coastal area which includes; tilapia, catfishes, mullet and crayfish among others. It was established that majority (80.0%) of male and few (10.0%) of female participating in fish harvesting sector regarded it a family business. Majority of the challenges confronting fish harvesting sectors were flooding during rainy season, high cost of production, lack of labour, high cost of labour, high tide and others inclusive. The study concludes that male actively participates in fish harvesting activities more than female counterpart in the study area either as a family business, for sustenance purpose or due to personal interest. It therefore recommends that challenges facing gender participation in fishing activities need to be tackled head-on so as serve as a tool for sustainability and effective exploitation of fisheries resources. Keywords: Gender, Fish, Harvesting, Sustainability, Catch- Locatio

Translation and psychometric assessment of the mastectomy module of the BREAST-Q questionnaire for use in Nigeria

Background: The majority of non-metastatic breast cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa are recommended to have mastectomy. The impact of mastectomy on a predominantly young African patient population requires evaluation. The BREAST-Q is a validated patient-reported outcome measure of quality-of-life following breast surgery that has been translated into 30 languages-none in Africa. This study aimed to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the mastectomy module of the BREAST-Q for use in Nigeria. Methods: The BREAST-Q mastectomy module was translated from English to Yoruba and its psychometric properties assessed using best practice guidelines. Translation was performed in 4 steps: forward translation (x2), back translation, back translation review, and cognitive interviews with post-mastectomy patients. The translated BREAST-Q instrument was administered to post-mastectomy patients (n = 21) alongside the EORTC-QLQ BR23 to evaluate construct validity. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC); surveys were re-administered 4 weeks apart. Results: The translation process identified English phrases not amenable to direct translation, including “emotionally healthy” and descriptions of pain (“nagging,” “throbbing,” “sharp”). Translations were amended to reflect local context and question intent. During cognitive interviews, patients provided suggestions to simplify complex phrases, e.g. “discomfort in your breast area.”. Internal consistency within scales was over 0.70 for psychosocial wellbeing (α = 0.84–0.87), sexual wellbeing (α = 0.98–0.99), physical wellbeing in chest (α = 0.84–0.86), and satisfaction with care (α = 0.89–0.93). ICC for test-retest reliability was moderate (0.46–0.63). Conclusions: The Yoruba version of the BREAST-Q mastectomy module presents a unique opportunity to adequately capture the experiences of Nigerian women post mastectomy. This instrument is being used in a pilot study of Nigerian patients to identify targets for intervention to improve the patient experience and compliance with breast cancer surgery

Inanimate animated: synedoche in Yoruba tradicional medicine

A medicina tradicional Yoruba é um entre os vários sistemas de técnicas medicinais utilizadas na sociedade contemporânea Yoruba. A medicina tradicional Yoruba é ampla. Envolve o uso de palavras encantarórias e outros ingredientes materiais tais como ervas, folhas, raízes, sementes, terra e outras formas de ingredientes que dependem do tipo de cura que se deseja, ou, melhor dizendo, do tipo de doença tratada. Este trabalho revela a filosofia Yoruba, da interação e interrelação entre o cosmos, físico e espiritual. O trabalho também mostra que a sinédoque é empregada como uma arma de interação entre cosmo, e como uma arma de transferência de poder médico.The traditional medicine Yoruba is one among the several systems of medicinal techniques used in the contemporary society Yoruba. The traditional medicine Yoruba is broad. It involves the use of words incantatory and other such material ingredients as herbs, leaves, roots, seeds, earth and other forms of ingredients that depend on the cure type that it is wanted, or, best saying, of the type of treated disease. This work reveals the philosophy Yoruba, its interaction and interrelation among the cosmoses, physical and spiritual. The work also display that the synecdoche is used as an interaction weapon among cosmos, and as a weapon of transfer of medical power

The Nature of Truth in Research Through Lenses of Three Modes –Theory, Practice, and Mixture of both with Innovations

This piece of work explored the nature of truth in research by narrating the development of knowledge through Mode 1 and mode 2 knowledge, including the recent discussion around mode 3 system. The impact of this on researchers was emphasised by mode 1 (theory) knowledge and mode 2 (practice) knowledge filling the theory-practice gap. Mode 3 system knowledge aimed to encompass both mode 1 and 2 but included innovation as part of the knowledge development. The work discussed research paradigm in relation to ontology (reality of the things we know/truth) and epistemology (knowledge/the way we know things) including axiological assumptions (value) and same related to the of research methodological interest of individual researchers