Lead City University

Water pollution has become a serious environmental challenge, threatening aquatic environment and human health as a result of continuous pollutants discharged from untreated wastewater, particularly from textile industries which often contains cationic and anionic dyes. To solve the problem, there is a need to develop a sustainable and effective adsorbent material which has the capability to remove these dyes from wastewater before being discharge into water bodies. In this study, we employed a waste biomass material, Albizia lebbeck pod (ALP) to construct X-ZnO@ALP composites (where x = 0.05 and 0.1 M, loading concentration of ZnO) via in-situ co-precipitation method for effective methylene blue (MB) and congo red (CR) adsorption from aqueous environments in a single batch adsorption system. The composite’s structure was examined using FTIR, SEM/EDS, BET, and XRD techniques. The successful incorporation of ZnO enhanced the surface potential of ALP, providing additional adsorption sites for MB and CR and increasing the BET surface areas to 40.56 and 32.71 m²/g. The maximum adsorption capacities were 82.2 mg/g (MB) and 75.6 mg/g (CR) for 0.05 M-ZnO@ALP, and 61.8 mg/g (MB) and 56.2 mg/g (CR) for 0.1 M-ZnO@ALP, respectively. The performance of 0.05 M-ZnO@ALP surpass that of 0.1 M-ZnO@ALP because increasing the ZnO content led to larger particle sizes, which could limit the available adsorption active sites responsible for MB and CR adsorption due surface blockage or aggregation. The MB and CR adsorption process of UMALP, 0.05 M-ZnO@ALP, and for 0.1 M-ZnO@ALP conform to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic models. Thermodynamic measurement confirmed that the MB and CR adsorption reaction is spontaneous, feasible and exothermic in character. The recycling experiments revealed that the MB and CR adsorption by 0.05 M-ZnO@ALP, and for 0.1 M-ZnO@ALP still maintained > 90% efficiency after three cycles, making them a suitable adsorbent materials for practical applications. Overall, ZnO-loaded Albizia lebbeck pod biomass showed a good potential for dye treatment from wastewater, • A novel nanocomposite material of x-ZnO@ALP was synthesized via an in-situ co-precipitation method. • XRD, SEM/EDX, and FTIR confirmed the successful synthesis of x-ZnO@ALP. • The constructed composite materials exhibit good adsorption performance toward MB and CR. • The MB and CR adsorption follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. • x-ZnO@ALP, effective, sustainable, and still maintain more than > 90 efficiency for MB and CR removal after 3 cycles.

Experiences of extreme confinement, identity loss and fear characterize the lived realities of many Beninese women migrant domestic workers in Osogbo, Nigeria. This study employs a descriptive qualitative design to explore persistent violations of their fundamental rights and the broader structural conditions that sustain these abuses. Data were drawn from 32 interviews with migrant workers, police officers and a human rights advocate, providing both victim and institutional perspectives. Findings reveal multiple, overlapping forms of victimization, including physical abuse, unpaid labour, food deprivation, medical neglect and forced renaming that erases cultural identity and personal autonomy. Employers exploit the women’s undocumented status to enforce excessive workloads, surveillance and isolation, while sexual harassment and threats of deportation sustain a climate of silence and dependency. Most participants were unaware of their rights, which deepens their vulnerability and discourages reporting. Despite Nigeria’s Labour Migration Policy and its commitment to international conventions, weak enforcement and public indifference perpetuate systemic neglect. The study demonstrates how economic desperation, gendered subordination and institutional failure intersect to normalize exploitation within private households. It concludes by advocating for stronger monitoring mechanisms, gender-sensitive human-rights-based migration governance and community sensitization programmes to ensure dignity, protection and lasting justice for women migrant domestic workers in Nigeria.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the challenges and prospects of Sustainable Facility Management (SFM) in selected tertiary institutions in Oyo State, Nigeria. It emphasizes the integration of economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Data were collected from 100 respondents comprising 40 facility managers, 30 administrative staff and 30 students through stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were derived from thematic analysis. Findings The findings reveal that inadequate funding (mean = 4.50), lack of technical expertise (mean = 4.00) and poor maintenance culture (mean = 3.80) are the most significant challenges hindering sustainable facility management. Conversely, the adoption of renewable energy sources (mean = 4.80), implementation of public–private partnerships (mean = 4.70) and leveraging of technology (mean = 4.50) were identified as key strategies for promoting sustainability. The study also notes variability in stakeholder perspectives, particularly regarding resistance to sustainable practices (standard deviation = 1.45). Research limitations/implications The study is limited to tertiary institutions within Oyo State, which may constrain the generalizability of the findings. Future studies could expand the geographic scope and incorporate longitudinal analysis to deepen understanding of SFM dynamics across regions. Practical implications The study provides practical insights for policymakers, administrators, and facility managers. It recommends the formulation of context-specific SFM policies, the implementation of technical capacity-building programmes and the scaling up of successful public–private partnership models to enhance sustainability in tertiary institutions. Originality/value This research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainability in higher education infrastructure in developing economies. It offers empirical evidence and strategic pathways for integrating sustainable facility management practices that align Nigeria’s tertiary education system with global sustainability standards.

This study investigates construction professionals’ perceptions of locally sourced building materials in Lagos State, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, targeting registered architects, engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors. Data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires, and 63 valid responses were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics, Relative Level of Agreement (RLA), and Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Findings show strong agreement that poor-quality local materials contribute to building defects (RLA = 0.81) and collapse (RLA = 0.88). While materials such as sandcrete blocks are viewed as moderately reliable (RLA = 0.57), concerns persist regarding inconsistent quality and weak regulatory oversight (RLA = 0.49). Professionals also identified poor workmanship (RLA = 0.90) and unregulated production (RLA = 0.86) as major factors exacerbating failures. A significant relationship was established between professionals’ perceptions and their material selection and supervision practices. Respondents recommended collaborative policy frameworks among government, professional bodies, and manufacturers (RLA = 0.96), continuous quality-control training (RLA = 0.93), and stricter enforcement against uncertified materials (RLA = 0.93). The study concludes that strengthening regulatory and quality assurance systems is critical to improving confidence in locally sourced materials and reducing building failures in Lagos State.

The long-term reliability and performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules largely depend on the thermal stability and durability of encapsulation materials that protect solar cells from environmental and thermal degradation. Ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) is widely used as a solar cell encapsulant due to its excellent optical and mechanical properties; however, its thermal stability and resistance to degradation remain critical challenges under prolonged operating conditions. Although EVA-based nanocomposites have been investigated for solar cell encapsulation, limited studies have systematically examined how different nanoclay fillers and processing conditions influence the thermal stability and encapsulation efficiency of EVA materials. This study aims to optimize the thermal stability of EVA nanocomposites by incorporating different inorganic fillers mica, montmorillonite (MMT), and vermiculite, at varying concentrations and milling cycles. An 8% EVA solution was prepared and blended with these fillers to evaluate their effects on the thermal and structural properties of the nanocomposite materials. Thermal characterization using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed noticeable changes in melting temperature, glass transition temperature, and thermal degradation behavior. The incorporation of nanofillers improved the thermal stability of the EVA matrix and influenced its crystallinity and mechanical properties. The optimized EVA nanocomposite demonstrated enhanced thermal resistance and improved durability compared with neat EVA, although a slight reduction in encapsulation efficiency was observed. These findings provide valuable insights into the formulation and optimization of EVA nanocomposites for solar cell encapsulation, contributing to the development of more thermally stable and durable encapsulation materials for sustainable photovoltaic applications.

Retirement is an inevitable process. Extant literatures have shown that different categories of workers are either disengaged naturally or suddenly from their jobs. Incidentally, most workers fail to either plan or plan adequately for these processes; hence, rejoining the league of unemployed either as youth, agile adults or aged. This has inadvertently exacerbated the challenges of unemployment and resulted in unpleasant issues such as frustration, depression, criminal vices, health challenges, poverty, diminished living standard, as well as premature death. However, retirement can be worthwhile when retirees maintain social and economic relevance. It is against this background that the study explores motivation for embarking on business ventures and alternative entrepreneurial models which could support job creation and youth mainstreaming among would-be retirees and retired personnel. Using Atlas.ti 8.4 package, thematic and content analysis were drawn from interviews conducted among the target group. The study finds models such as investments, re-training, parallel systems, spousal overseers and partnerships as options for currently engaged workers to create alternative jobs for themselves and even employ upcoming youths either as employees or mentees. Thus, the study proffers annexable options to current and prospective retirees on entrepreneurial dimensions that can engender sustainable employment and living standards during and after retirement from active service.

One of the major challenges facing many nations is the lack of reliable access to an adequate water supply, particularly in areas where people struggle to obtain water for domestic use, agriculture, and industry. Because of this, it is essential to develop dependable methods that can accurately identify and allocate groundwater resources. In this study, we used integrated approaches to map the groundwater prospect zones in the Ibadan metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria. Eleven distinct thematic parameters were formulated to demarcate areas with groundwater potential: slope (S), proximity to the water table (PSWT), geomorphology (G), drainage density (DD), landuse/landcover (LU/LC), elevation (E), lineament density (LD), soil types (ST), land-surface temperature (LST), geology (GE), and rainfall (R). Each of these eleven layers was assigned a weight through Saaty’s Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) before being combined and processed within the ArcGIS platform to produce a comprehensive groundwater potential zoning model. The groundwater potential map that was produced was divided into five distinct recharge zones. Areas classified as “very high” and “high” potential were found primarily in the southwestern, northwestern, and part of the northern sections of Ibadan. A “moderate” potential zone stretched across the study area from the southeastern corner up to the northeastern side. The southeastern and northeastern portions of the investigated region exhibited “low” and “very low” potential, respectively. Because the underlying bedrock lacks primary porosity, overall groundwater occurrence in the study area tends to be limited. Nonetheless, the zones identified as having very high to moderate potential can serve as valuable guides for individuals, institutions, governments, and policymakers as they plan sustainable groundwater exploration and management strategies.

Avocado (Persea americana) seeds are potential components for food fortification, which contain several numbers of phytochemicals, nutrients and each of them plays a beneficial role in preventing diseases, by enhancing the nutritional value of foods. Incorporation of avocado seed powder into bread formulation occurred at 5% and 10% of the weight of flour, alongside fixed ratios of other ingredients (yeast, butter, milk, egg, sugar and water). The fortified dough underwent evaluation for proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and functional properties utilizing standardized chemical methodologies. Furthermore, a sensory evaluation involving 30 participants was performed employing a hedonic scale. The study concludes that the addition of avocado seed powder, at levels up to 10%, enhances the nutritional profile of bread without substantially compromising consumer acceptability. Aims: The aim of the research work is to assess the efficacy of avocado seed powder in bread fortification. Study Design: A laboratory based experimental study design was used to assess the nutritional composition and sensory acceptability of bread fortified with avocado seed powder. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: This experiment was carried out at the laboratory of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Lead City University, Ibadan. Between November 2023- December 2024. Methodology: Flour composition of white bread were replaced by 5% and 10% ASP and compared the one without ASP. The samples of the breads produced were analyzed for proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and functional characteristics. A 9-point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory attributes of the bread. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at (P<0.05) Results: Findings indicated that fortification of bread with ASP significantly elevated its fiber content (P<0.05), concurrently leading to a reduction in protein and fat content (P<0.05) as the levels of ASP increased. The total phenolic content varied from 0.39 ng/kg in the control bread to 2.10 ng/kg in the bread containing 10% ASP. Additionally, avocado seed powder enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the bread, with Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity increasing from 57.83% in control samples to 62.41% in bread comprising 5% ASP. Functional attributes such as bulk density and water absorption capacity were markedly improved with the incorporation of ASP. Sensory evaluation showed that the inclusion of ASP adversely influenced the appearance of the bread but did not significantly affect flavor or overall acceptability (P>0.05). Conclusion: Addition of ASP up to 10% improved the nutritional value of bread, while retaining acceptable taste features, indicating its potential as a functional food component.