Utilisation of order processing technology for logistics process improvement in the Nigerian construction industry

The logistic technologies for effective and efficient ‘order processing operations’ in the areas of tracking, shipping, replenishment, dispatching and holding of inventory are deficient in the Nigerian construction industry, when compared to manufacturing and retailing sectors. This is confirmed to have a significant effect on the performance of the construction sector. This article assessed how order processing technology utilised by manufacturing and retail industries could improve the order processing logistics operations of the construction industry. Lagos State and the F.C.T. Abuja, Nigeria, were the selected geographical study areas, from which five manufacturing companies, five retailing companies and five construction projects were purposively selected. Mixed methods research strategy was used. The research instruments included an observation guide (quantitative) and semi-structured interviews (qualitative). The collected quantitative data was analysed, using descriptive analytical tools: frequencies and percentiles. The qualitative data was analysed, using the thematic method. The result revealed that 80% and 100% of the manufacturing and retailing industries, respectively, observed, adopted barcoding technology for order processing purposes. Only 40% of the observed construction project adopted barcoding technology for order processing in the following: 2.4% for receiving process; 0.9% for put-away process; 0.9% for shipping process (stock control); 1.2% for dispatching process; 0.6% for replenishment process, and 1.2% for tracking inventory (stock tracking). In addition, 100% and 80% of the manufacturing and retailing industries, respectively, observed, adopted Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for order processing purposes. Only 40% of the observed construction projects adopted RFID technology for order processing. It was also revealed that utilisation of the order processing technology could have the following benefits: managerial control in the construction industry; shorter processing time; easy way of tracking materials on site, and increased speed of work in the construction industries. The research concludes that effective utilisation of order processing technology in the logistics system could lead to full efficiency gains in the order processing aspect of the construction industry. It is recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria should mandate all major construction project stakeholders to attend workshops on the use of recent technologies in the management of construction operations

Utilisation of forecasting technology for improving construction logistics in Nigeria

The need to investigate new technology for forecasting purposes in construction logistics is due to the fact that the forecasting ability (modern technology utilisation) of the Nigerian construction sector, in terms of logistics management, is relatively low when compared to manufacturing and retailing industries. This is affecting the performance of the construction sector. Moreover, the current logistics technologies used for forecasting operations in the Nigerian construction industry are relatively inefficient and insufficiently investigated to inspire new logistics technologies for the construction industry. Hence, this article investigated how forecasting logistics technologies could be utilised in manufacturing and retailing industries, in order to improve the forecasting processes of construction logistics. Lagos State and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, formed the selected geographical scope of the study, from which five manufacturing; five retailing companies, and five construction projects were purposely selected. A mixed methods research strategy were used. The research instruments included an observation guide (quantitative) and semi-structured interviews (qualitative). The collected quantitative data were analysed, using descriptive analytical tools: frequencies and percentiles. The qualitative data was analysed, using the thematic method. The results revealed that all the observed manufacturing industries (100%) adopted the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology for forecasting purposes in the following areas: material, demand, product, and production forecast. Of the observed companies in the manu-facturing and retailing industries, 80% and 40%, respectively, adopted the Material Requirement Planning (MRP) technology for forecasting purposes. Only 20% (one project) of the observed construction projects adopted the MRP technology for fore-casting in the following: 5% for demand forecast (demand control); 6.7% for material forecast (stock control), and 20% for product forecast (product output). It was also revealed that utilisation of the forecasting technology in construction could have the following benefits: proper resource planning; improved production scheduling; reduction in inventory; effective treatment of scheduling problems, and efficiency of the supply-chain system. Results showed that effective tilisation of forecasting technology in the logistics system of the construction industry could lead to full efficiency gains in forecasting logistics of the construction industry. It is recommended that the Nigerian construction industry should leverage on this, in order to create the best ways of handling the forecasting technology to improve the forecasting logistics systems of the construction process

Re-examining the relationship between monetary policy and stock market prices in Nigeria

The study investigates effect of monetary policy variables on performance of prices of stock in Nigeria. The study covered the period 1986 –2022. Data were generated from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, 2023 edition. The method of data analyses used are ARDL technique as All Share Index (ASI) was used to measure stock price, while explanatory variables included inflation rate (INF), Broad money supply (M2), Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and Real exchange rate (REXR). The ARDL bound test result indicates a long run association between monetary policy variables and stock prices in Nigeria. The long run estimates shows that only real exchange rate has significant effect on stock prices further findings reveal that monetary policy rate has significant impact on prices in stock market. The findings inform the conclusion that most monetary policy variables do not create necessary directions in market prices in Nigeria and recommends that the Nigerian stock market cannot yet be regarded as good policy monetary policy channel in Nigeria as the market is yet to absorb monetary policy impulses to an extent that monetary policy tools and instruments may significantly influence its direction and development

An Assessment of Effective Serials Management in Selected Academic Libraries in Niger State, Nigeria.

This paper reports an examination of effective serials management practices in some academic libraries in Niger state. The study specifically investigated the types of serial materials in the libraries. It also examined the acquisition methods as well as methods applied in organizing serial materials in the studied libraries. Challenges bedeviling effective management of serial information sources also form the objective. The study further made a review from different sources on management of serials in libraries. The population of the study consisted of twenty three (23) staff manning the serials units of the affected libraries. Questionnaire and observation check-list were used as the instruments for data collection. 23 copies of questionnaire and observation check-list were distributed, filled and completely (100%) returned for data analysis. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages was used for data analysis. The study revealed that Newspapers, magazines and academic journals are the major serial materials available in the academic libraries. Direct purchase from book vendors, Constant subscription of physical serials and online databases were the main methods applied in acquiring serials in the libraries. It discovered that shelving and shelf reading, carding among other were the organizational techniques adopted by the libraries. Paucity of funds, Inadequate ICT facilities as well as inadequate working tools was the factors bedeviling effective serials management in the libraries. The study thus recommended among others that adequate funds be allocated to the libraries, online subscription be enhanced, conducive working environment for library personnel, independent power sources be provided to the academic libraries

Impact of Non-Oil Export on Nigeria’s Economic Growth: A Disaggregated Approach

This study used a disaggregated macroeconomic model and an Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) to analyze the effects of non-oil exports (NOE) on Nigeria's economic growth from 1980 to 2021. Before estimating the model, unit root and co-integration tests were conducted to determine the stationarity and long-run properties of the variables. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test results indicated that all-time series were non-stationary at level but became stationary after first differencing. The Johansen co-integration test results revealed that the variables are co-integrated, suggesting a long-run equilibrium relationship among them. The ECM findings indicated that NOE components positively impacted Nigeria's economic growth in both the short and long run, although the impact was largely insignificant. Based on these results, it was recommended that Nigeria's export development strategy be refocused and reinforced to address supply capacity constraints in various NOE sectors. The argument is that the government can initially manage and develop these non-oil sectors and later transfer them to private enterprises

Impact of Competition on the Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

The impact of bank competition on bank performance remains a widely debated issue. At present, scholars investigate either the competition-stability or the competition-fragility relationships. The traditional competition-fragility view equates bank competition with instability as competition reduces market power and profit margins which in turn encourages bank managers to take higher risks. In contrast, the competition-stability view stipulates that competition leads to lower loan interest rates and consequently lower moral hazard and adverse selection problems and less risky loan portfolios. This study examines both paradigms using panel data from deposit money banks in Nigeria over a period of ten years (2005-2014). Results show that the overall relationship between competition and financial performance of banks is negative. The study, therefore, concludes that competition has a negative effect on the financial performance of banks in Nigeria. The study suggests that regulators should promote healthy competition among deposit money banks so as to reduce the negative effect of competition on bank financial performance. Managers should take measures to enhance profit margin by reducing expenses. Current efforts of the government in terms of improved power generation may help to cut cost of power borne by the banks. Managers should also ensure healthy loan portfolio by ensuring that only customers with high credit scores get loans. Keywords: Bank, competition, financial performance, loan, market share, Nigeria, profit margin, risk.

Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Some Shale Samples in Awi Formation and Its Geophysical Implications, Cross River State, Nigeria

The thermal Conductivity of some about sixty – two (62) shale samples from four locations within the Awi formation using modified Lee’s method were determined. It was observed that the thermal agitation in the sample increases as the temperature increases, after which thermal stability was attained. The Shale samples collected from location two and four tend to have high  average thermal conductivity values ranging from 1.4490 W/m0C and 1.0802 W/m0C respectively while location one and three exhibits low values of thermal conductivity ranging from 0.8544 W/m0C and 0.7027 W/m0C respectively during the rising temperature measurement. During the falling temperature measurement location two and four still have high average thermal conductivity values of 1.3020 W/m0C and 0.9884 W/m0C respectively and location one has an average value of 0.8339  W/m0C while location Three has 0.6544 W/m0C. The low values exhibited by Location one and three is largely due to the fact  that the outcrops in these locations were along the road  and have been exposed to weather and  human activities. However, the values from location two and four, suggests that shales within this location are post matured. Keywords: Conductivity, agitation, stability, outcrops, post- mature

The Challenges of the Fight Against Insurgency in Northeastern Nigeria

The Boko Haram insurgency in Northeastern Nigeria has been one of the most devastating phenomena in the country claiming thousands of lives and properties worth billions of Naira in the process. All the governmental efforts put in place so far failed to curb the menace as the threat of insurgency continues in some parts of Northeastern Nigeria. This work examined the major challenges that are responsible for the continuation of insurgency despite divergent measures taken by the government to address the problem. The research used both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary source is the in-depth interview conducted with some selected informants who are related with security issues involving security personnel in the Northeast, policy-makers, analysts, some repented insurgents and media men. The secondary source is the use of the existing documents such as books, reports, news and internet sources. The data obtained was discussed and analysed using thematic analytical interpretations to arrive at findings. The research discovered that, the major reasons or challenges that made insurgency defiant of all solutions in Northeastern Nigeria consists of corruption, conspiracy, inappropriate approach, lack of proper intelligence, hostility from the host communities, nature of Nigerian borders, politicisation of security issues, religious dogmatism and lack of cooperation among the security personnel. Therefore, for an effective approach towards addressing the problem of insurgency in Northeastern Nigeria, the paper recommends that a multi-dimensional approach is required such as religious censorship, intelligence, cooperation, prudence and good governance. Â

Exploring the Benefits of Library Consortium: The Information Resource Sharing.

This paper examines the cardinal benefits of library consortium which is the resource sharing. Resource sharing aims at maximizing collection and services of libraries and information centres at minimum cost. Various sources of information (primary and secondary literature) were perused to view the essentiality of resource sharing in carrying out effective and efficient library and information services to users. The paper also highlighted the requirements needed for successful resource sharing practices among libraries. The significance/benefits of resource sharing as it relates to economic, developmental, academic/research as well as social life of librarians and library personnel were clearly stated. An ideal library networking model for resource sharing as well as examples such as DELNET, INFLIBNET, GILLDDNET and NULIB were presented. Various challenges militating against effective resource sharing were highlighted. The study concluded that resource sharing is inevitable and absolutely a necessary tool for enhancing an all time effective and efficient library and information services. The study proffered recommendations as remedies to factors militating against effective resource sharing in libraries

Growth Response of Upland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Varieties to Nitrogen and Seed Rates in the Northern Guinea Savahah.

Field experiments were carried out at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) farm at Samaru during 2011 and 2012 rainy season. The treatments evaluated were two rice varieties (NERICA 4 and 8), three rates of nitrogen (0, 65 and 130 kg N ha-1) and three seed rates (30, 60 and 90kgha-1). The treatments were factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Results obtained shows that NERICA 4 produced taller plants than NERICA 8. Application of nitrogen up to 65 kg N ha-1significantly increased plant height, and leaf area index, however, crop growth rate and relative growth rate responded to applied 130 kg N ha-1. Plant height was not significantly increased beyond seed rate of 60 kg ha-1. Based on this study it can be concluded that both NERICA varieties can be sown at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 with application of 65 kg N ha-1. Key words: NERICA, Nitrogen, Seed rate, Northern guinea savanna