Niger State Polytechnic

This study investigates the influence of inventory management on the profitability of listed Nigerian industrial goods companies from 2020 to 2024. The study was anchored on the Theory of Constraints as its framework. The ex post facto panel design was employed, relying on secondary data extracted from the audited reports and accounts of companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NXG). Of the thirteen (13) companies in the population, only seven (7) met the criteria of being listed before 2020 and with complete reports for the study period. Profitability was proxied by Return on Assets (ROA). At the same time, inventory management was measured using Inventory Conversion Period (ICP), Inventory Turnover Ratio (ITR), and Inventory to Sales Ratio (ISR), with firm size as a control variable. The study employed panel data regression, descriptive statistics, and the Hausman test to analyze the data. Results revealed that ICP had a positive but insignificant effect on profitability; ISR had a significant negative effect, indicating excessive inventory relative to sales reduces efficiency; and ITR had a negative but insignificant effect, suggesting high turnover alone does not guarantee better performance. As a result, inventory management significantly influenced profitability, highlighting the need for operational alignment. The study recommends adopting optimization models such as Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and Just-In-Time (JIT), monitoring inventory-to-sales ratios, and enhancing manager training for improved asset utilization.

Was ist zu diesem Thema bereits bekannt? Erkrankungen und Medikamente beeinflussen Sexualität, umgekehrt wirkt Sexualwohl auf das seelische Befinden. Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht? Eine ganzheitliche Sicht betont die Wichtigkeit sexueller Gesundheit für die psychische Gesundheit. Dabei werden emotionale, soziale und identitätsbezogene Aspekte berücksichtigt. Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis? Die sexuelle Gesundheit sollte gezielt gestärkt werden: Sexualität wertfrei ansprechen, Räume schaffen für das Thema – auf institutioneller Ebene und als einzelne Fachperson.

Lithium-ion solid electrolyte batteries have attracted great attention to replacing liquid electrolytes due to their cycling electrochemical properties, durable stability and safety. Numerous studies have been investigated to increase the performance of ionic-conductivity and enhance the stability of solid-state electrolytes, and its commercialization is broadly spread. This review article highlights the progress in developing NASICON-type solid electrolytes, which are made by solid-state reactions and wet-chemical procedures. Initially, researchers focused on the crystal structure, strength, and electrochemical properties of LiZr2(PO4)3, but recent studies have shifted towards investigating the electrical conductivity, crystal structure and its compatibility with Li metal. Also, the indigenous research on LiTi2(PO4)3 was pivoted on densification of the solid electrolyte to improve ionic conductivity by partial substitution of Ti4+ with Al3+ or B3+ now yields a promising ionic conductivity. LiGe2(PO4)3 is yet another Li-based NASICON electrolyte that, from the early stage, received extensive research majoring on the partial substitution of Al3+ with Ge4+ with the formula Li1+xAlxGe2-x(PO4)3 to stabilize the crystal structure following experimental and computational analysis. Improved ionic conductivity currently increasing as a result of improved Li intensity affected by aliovalent Al3+ substitution. Numerous research efforts have been explored to improve the ionic conductivity and elevate the electrochemical and thermal stabilities of NASICON-type electrolytes. It deems it fit to bring forth a cascade of promising results that so far have been recorded in both the early and the current research efforts in improving the suitability of NASICON-type electrolytes.

This study examined the influence of germination time and subsequent heat processing on the nutritional composition and antinutritional constituents of Moringa oleifera seeds. Seeds were germinated for 24, 48 and 72 h and then subjected to either boiling or controlled low-temperature roasting. Proximate composition, mineral profile and selected antinutritional compounds were quantified using established analytical procedures.Germination markedly improved nutrient density, reflected in progressive increases in protein, lipid and mineral contents, together with substantial reductions in tannins, phytate, alkaloids and oxalate. Protein rose from 27.6 % in untreated seeds to 39.1 % after 72 h of germination, while lipid content increased from 24.0 % to 34.0 %. Iron concentration nearly doubled over the same period. Concurrently, tannins and phytate declined by approximately 50 %, indicating improved nutritional accessibility.Thermal processing produced additional reductions in antinutritional factors, although its effects on nutrients differed by treatment. Boiling effectively eliminated detectable tannins and phytate and reduced oxalate to low levels, but caused measurable losses in protein and lipid fractions. In contrast, roasting preserved a larger proportion of macronutrients while still lowering antinutrient concentrations.Overall, the results indicate that combining controlled germination with moderate dry heating represents a practical strategy for enhancing the nutritional quality and potential food value of moringa seed flour. Such processing approaches may support the development of nutrient-dense complementary foods and plant-based formulations in resource-limited settings.

Digital financial services—particularly mobile banking, mobile money, and fintech platforms are increasingly recognized as critical enablers of MSME performance by reducing transaction costs, expanding market access, and facilitating credit. However, this study examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion and the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Niger State, Nigeria. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 378 MSME operators across the state’s 25 local government areas, selected through multistage sampling. Structured questionnaires measured access to digital finance and business outcomes, with validity confirmed through pilot testing and reliability established via Cronbach’s alpha (α > .70). Regression analysis revealed that digital financial inclusion significantly enhances MSME sales growth, with the model explaining 58.5% of performance variance (R² = .585, F(3,374) = 111.756, p < .001). Mobile banking showed the strongest effect (β = .412, p < .001), followed by mobile money (β = .365, p < .001) and fintech platforms (β = .298, p < .001). It was concluded that the findings demonstrate that integrated digital finance ecosystems are vital to MSME resilience, liquidity, and expansion. The study recommends that banks and telecom policy providers should double their efforts to strengthen mobile banking infrastructure, enhance mobile money usability, and promote fintech adoption alongside financial literacy and consumer protection measures.

Obsolescence remains a significant determinant of residential property value decline, particularly in developing urban environments where maintenance culture, infrastructure, and policy frameworks are weak. This conceptual paper examines the nature, dimensions, and implications of obsolescence on residential property values, with a focus on providing an integrated theoretical understanding of the phenomenon. Drawing on existing literature, the study identifies physical, functional, economic, technological, and environmental obsolescence as interrelated forces that influence property market performance. Using the property life cycle theory and hedonic pricing model as conceptual anchors, the paper argues that obsolescence accelerates value depreciation by reducing a property’s utility, aesthetic relevance, and competitiveness within the market. The analysis further highlights that contextual factor such as poor regulatory enforcement, economic volatility, and limited modernization amplify the adverse effects of obsolescence in emerging real estate markets like Suleja, Niger State as the case study. The paper concludes that effective maintenance management, policy intervention, and adaptive reuse strategies are essential to mitigating obsolescence and sustaining residential property values. Conceptually, it contributes to the broader discourse on property value sustainability by proposing an integrated framework that links obsolescence dimensions to value outcomes. The study recommends the institutionalization of predictive maintenance frameworks, the modernization of valuation standards, and future empirical validation of the proposed model to strengthen real estate policy and practice in Nigeria and other developing economies.

In the case of businesses intending to apply the full potential of connected technology, it has become a key strategy to balance techno-management techniques into Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. With the help of data analytics, organisations can transform raw IoT data into informative information that will enhance the efficiency of their operations and allow making more informed decisions. This paper focuses on how technomanagement structures, a mixture of technical innovation and the management strategy make it possible to deploy and regulate IoT ecosystems efficiently. It highlights that advanced analytics, i.e., machine learning and predictive modelling, could be leveraged to extract value out of massive amounts of data and make businesses respond reactively to any abnormalities in their operations and market changes. The study also examines the way these strategies drive the competitive advantage, scalability, and agility through enabling real-time monitoring, resource optimisation, and customer-centric innovations. The examples of cases in various industries demonstrate the perceived benefits of integrating sound managerial practices with the knowledge based on data. Ultimately, this paper supports the argument that when technology and management are used synergistically, the quality of decisions will increase and businesses will be in a better position to succeed in an increasingly networked and data-centric world. The findings contribute to the understanding of strategic IoT implementation and its impact on the competitive success in the long term.

The digital divide and the potential of digital technologies in facilitating adaptive learning and inclusive education for individuals with disabilities have been widely studied, noting unequal access to education by this vulnerable group. However, little research has explored the consequences of digital exclusion and over-dependence on digital technologies for inclusive education of students with disabilities in developing countries with limited technology infrastructure, such as Nigeria. It is on this premise that this study reviews existing work on the state of digital exclusion faced by students with disabilities and whether it bridges these gaps. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted to identify relevant sources for the study through searches in databases such as Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library. A total of 182 literature sources were identified and retrieved from these databases. After screening, 24 literature sources that strictly focused on digital inclusion, the state of digital technology inclusion for individuals with disabilities, assistive learning technologies, and Challenges of inclusive education in Nigeria, met the criteria for inclusion and were included in the study. Accordingly, Universal Design Learning (UDL) and Relative Deprivation Theory (RDT) were employed to guide this study. The review analysis exposed inadequacies in assistive technology tools, limited access to other emerging technologies, insufficient digital skills, and a lack of political will to implement education policies for people with disabilities in Nigerian education practices. A practice that further exacerbates existing exclusion gaps in equitable access to quality education by students with disabilities.

Understanding subsurface structure is crucial in geotechnical, environmental and engineering investigations. Two widely used geophysical methods are: 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT). They offer complementary insights into subsurface conditions. ERT is sensitive to electrical properties (e.g. moisture, clay content), while SRT excels in detecting mechanical contrasts (e.g. rock hardness), combing both methods enhances subsurface imaging accuracy, especially in complex geology like fault zero or weathered profiles. The two methods were carried out to investigate the depth to basement complex in National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria. The major instruments used for this survey where Terraloc Mark6 digital seismography, sets of vertical geophones, SAS4000 Terrameter and Electrode Selector ES 464. The geometric arrangement positioned both the geophones and the source along a straight line. The 24 geophones and the source were set at 5 m intervals, covering a distance of 120 m. Besides the initial shot location, shots were detonated at each geophone location. For the 2D electrical survey, the electrodes were arranged along the profiles with a 5.0 m electrode spacing between the 41 electrodes, resulting in a total spread of 200 m. In each of the profiles, geo-electric tomography managed to penetrate to a maximum depth of 29.3 m with optimal current injection into the subsurface. The geo-electric tomography was unable to reach the basement rock except at locations where the basement complex is found at a depth of 29.3 m or less. In contrast, seismic refraction tomography achieved a penetration depth of over 40m. It was possible to identify the basement tomography at depths exceeding 40m along the profiles.