Federal University of Agriculture

There are livestock species such as rabbit, guinea fowl, and grasscutter in Sub-Saharan Africa which are traditionally consumed but have not received as much attention and support from policy and research compared to conventional livestock species such as cattle, sheep, goat, pig and poultry. Despite the growing interest in such neglected livestock species (NLS), evidence on their integration, production, and drivers of adoption remain sparse. This comparative study investigates the production characteristics, profitability, and determinants of farmers' choices between conventional and NLS production in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria. We conducted a quantitative survey of 183 smallholder livestock producers, selected using simple random and snowball sampling procedures across Ogun and Oyo States. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and cost-benefit analysis. The findings show that women were disproportionately engaged in NLS production. Intensive and semi-intensive production systems were the most prevalent, driven by land scarcity and the adaptability of NLS to confined production environments. Feed emerged as the dominant cost component across both species, significantly impacting profitability. Logistic regression analysis showed that the choice of NLS production was positively and significantly associated with mode of land acquisition, profit, and access to credit. Profitability analysis revealed that NLS systems achieved a higher return on investment than conventional systems, offering a viable pathway for enhancing income, food security, and resilience among smallholders in the study areas. Conclusively, with an appropriate policy framework, neglected livestock species could contribute to a transformative shift in Southwestern Nigeria's livestock landscape.

This study examined the nexus between e-tax system adoption and tax compliance through the mediating and moderating role of taxpayer satisfaction and taxpayer system competence in the post Covid-19 pandemic era in Nigeria. A quantitative method of analysis was employed through an adapted questionnaire which was distributed to 480 taxpayers, asking about their thoughts on e-tax system adoption regarding compliance costs, security, quality of service, and time spent filing returns.[1] The findings reveal a significant and positive relationship between each element of hypothesis one (H1a-d) and tax compliance. Hypotheses 2b, 2c, and 2d also showed significant positive relationships with taxpayer satisfaction. However, cost as an e-tax system adoption factor did not significantly affect taxpayer satisfaction (H2a: β = -0.051, t = 0.153, p = > 0.010). Conversely, H3 revealed a substantial and positive correlation between e-tax system competency and tax compliance (β = 0.042, t = 5.606, p = < 0.05). The indirect effect of taxpayer satisfaction on the link between e-tax system adoption influencers and tax compliance was also found to be significant, while social media did not significantly moderate the SAT-SMP path to a positive level (H4a-d: β = 0.078, t = 0.564, p > 0.05). By providing useful information on taxpayer satisfaction and e-tax system competence, the study offers new insights into the factors influencing e-tax adoption and compliance in a developing country. This information can be used to inform policy and practice in Nigeria.

Psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common but often under-recognised form of gender-based violence, particularly among women in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on the burden and associated factors of psychological IPV among female healthcare workers in Nigeria remains limited, despite the potential implications for well-being and workforce performance. This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of psychological IPV among female healthcare workers in a Nigerian facility. A cross-sectional study was conducted among female healthcare workers in a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Psychological IPV was assessed using an adapted Psychological Partner Abuse (PPA) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the distribution of psychological IPV scores, while bivariate analyses examined associations between psychological IPV and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Participants’ informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. Of the 284 respondents included in the analysis, 98.2% scored within the mild range of the psychological abuse scale. The mean total PPA score was 38.79 ± 9.84 (possible range: 21–147), indicating that reported experiences were predominantly clustered near the lower threshold of the mild category. Jealous/control and ignoring behaviours were the most commonly endorsed dimensions, largely at mild severity levels. Psychological IPV scores were significantly associated with marital status and ethnicity, whereas occupation and years of service were not. Psychological IPV symptoms were widely reported across socio-demographic groups among female healthcare workers in this setting, with most reported experiences clustering at mild levels close to the scale threshold. These findings underscore the importance of increased awareness, routine screening, and accessible support mechanisms within healthcare institutions, while recognising the exploratory nature of the observed associations.

The Portland study examined past planning regulations and greenspace distribution over the period of fifty years, with particular attention given to neighborhood differences between invested and non-invested neighborhoods. This exploratory study examined spatial greenspace using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery. We tested the study hypothesis using the GIS Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression test to predict how key sociodemographic characteristics affect the provision of greenspace in non-white disinvested neighborhoods. The key findings suggested a consistent pattern of greenspace inequality, heavily shaped by historically disadvantaged ethnic status. Areas with higher non-white populations may have significant less greenspace (p < 0.001). Although median household income had a minimal negative impact, educational attainment showed a slight positive correlation. We employed multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks such as historical institutionalism, urban political ecology, and environmental justice. The study illustrated how historical decisions may have established path dependencies that are currently perpetuating greenspace inequalities. Policy solutions advocate for integrating restorative justice principles and rigid enforcement of 3-30-300 greenspace equity legislation to offset these long-term disparities.

Aso-Oke is the most famous indigenous woven fabric in Southwest Nigeria. This study evaluated the effect of picks per inch on elongation, tensile and tearing strengths of Aso-Oke produced on neo-traditional floor loom (TFL) and modified floor loom (MFL). This study adopted an experimental design. Ten samples of 2/2 matt woven fabrics were produced using 91 ends per inch (EPI), varied (2, 3, 5, 7, and 8) numbers of filling yarns (NFY), and 100% textured polyester yarn on TFL (TFL1-TFL5) and MFL (MFL1-MFL5). Fabric tensile, elongation, and tearing strength were tested. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results showed that Fabric MFL2 had the highest warp way tensile strength (50.04kgf), TFL3 (54.86kgf) in weft, and MFL3 (44.46kgf) showed significantly high breaking elongation in warp and weft ways corresponding to 64 picks per inch. Tearing strength was highest in fabrics TFL5 (46.51kgf) and TFL4 (53.34kgf) in warp and weft ways respectively. MFL3 tearing resistance was higher in both the warp and weft ways. T-test results revealed a significant (p<0.05) difference in Tearing Strength in weft way between MFL (29.34±8.56) and TFL (31.5±18.73; p =0.01) The correlation matrix showed moderately positive relationships (r =0.50), in Tensile 0.791 in weft way and Tearing Strength 0.962 in warp way; The study concluded that the Aso-Oke produced on TFL and MFL have excellent tensile, elongation, and tearing strength influenced by yarn type, density, thickness, and weave structure.

Abstract A 42-day trial was carried out to assess the influence of dietary supplementation of three zinc types and their combinations on bone indices and interaction with other minerals in the tissues and bones of broiler chickens. Two hundred and sixteen (216) Arbor Acres day-old broiler chicks were divided into six groups to consist of 36 birds and assigned to six treatments, which include zinc-methionine (Zn-met), zinc-oxide (ZnO), nano zinc (NZn), NZn + Zn-met, NZn + ZnO and control (antibiotics). Each treatment was replicated thrice with 12 birds. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Phosphorus was the only mineral that varied in the liver. Heart and meat mineral content were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected except for zinc and phosphorus respectively. Supplementation of nano-zinc alone increased bone weight, and bone robusticity was higher generally in birds fed diets fortified with zinc. Zn retention was markedly reduced in birds supplemented with Zn-met and NZn + ZnO. Sole supplementation of nano-zinc significantly elevated phosphorus (37.96 mg/dl) in bones, while Cu content was higher in all zinc-supplemented groups except the ZnO group. This study concludes that nano-zinc supplementation increased tibia bone length and weight, while bone ash and calcium were not affected by different zinc types and their combinations.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-026-00557-z.

To gain insight into the common pathogenic, bacterial zoonosis represented by Salmonella infections in poultry and humans, we acted to determine salmonellosis prevalence in poultry and humans in Nigeria mapping hotspots. Using multi-sourced data, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine national and sub-national prevalence of salmonellosis in poultry from 2000 until 2020. Bayesian spatial joint modelling was used to map Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections in humans and poultry using climatic and demographic predictor variables. With the overall prevalence in poultry at 31.6%, the highest state-level prevalence rates were seen in Ogun (70.2%), Lagos (61.8%), Zamfara (58.2%) and Bauchi (57.1%). The North-West, South-West and South-South regions of Nigeria have the highest regional-level prevalence in poultry amounting to 38.5%, 36.9% and 33.6%, respectively. Thirteen states have higher than the average national prevalence (31.6%). While we found a negative association between NTS in humans and in poultry, the prevalence of diarrhoea in humans positively predicted salmonellosis in poultry. Not surprisingly, poultry populations positively predicted salmonellosis in other poultry populations. Higher numbers of human cases were predicted in the North, with more poultry cases in the South and in some North-Eastern states. The observed human NTS-poultry salmonellosis correlation is counterfactual to logic and plausibility as high poultry density and contamination in poultry are expected to predict human infection. The outcome pointed to under-reporting linked to self-treatment, under-testing in the public health and veterinary laboratory and lack of uniform primary healthcare services, particularly in under-served areas of Nigeria. Salmonellosis continues to be a serious burden, and provision of better health data is needed.

Sustainable agri-food system transformation in Africa is critical for addressing the persistent challenges of hunger and malnutrition while promoting sustainability. Here, we investigate how green growth initiatives intersect with the agri-food system transformation in the African Continental Free Trade Area context. We combine World Development Indicators, International Financial Statistics, and OECD data, and we use the Prais-Winsten regression model to analyze the relationship between green growth initiatives and Sustainable Development Goal 2- Zero Hunger indicators across 46 African countries. We show that green growth initiatives positively impact agricultural productivity and cereal yield but negatively affect total fisheries production. Low-income countries, including Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone experience mixed effects, while upper-middle-income countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Mauritius face more challenges. Economic growth, renewable energy, and financial development significantly influence agri-food system sustainability, but challenges like carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation hinder progress. Policymakers should prioritize pro-poor green technology investments, enhance finance accessibility, and implement environmental mitigation measures while fostering trade openness and regional cooperation. In Africa, green growth initiatives enhance the value added per worker in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as cereal yield, but they have a negative impact on total fisheries production, according to an analysis that combines agricultural and economic data with a statistical approach.