Wesley University

Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to humans against infection and degenerative diseases. Modern research is directed towards "natural antioxidants" from herbal plants due to their safe therapeutic. Costus spicatus is an herbaceous plant whose parts- leaves, rhizome, stem and roots are used locally because of its medicinal properties. The specific objective of the study was to determine and compare the antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome for their antioxidant activity and radical scavenging potential. The in vitro antioxidant status of the aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome was compared using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, Nitric Oxide (NO), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP). The total phenolics and flavonoid contents were also estimated quantitatively. The aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome both have notable flavonoid content. However the rhizome had slightly higher phenolic content compared to the leaf. Both the leaf and rhizome of aqueous extract of Costus spicatus have notable antioxidant capacity when compared with the standard used. The aqueous extract of Costus spicatus rhizome showed higher antioxidant activity than the leaf in a concentration dependent manner. These results revealed that the aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome has antioxidant capacity and scavenging potential, with the rhizome having the most notable capacity and therefore can be further explored in antioxidant research and in management of diseases related to oxidative stress.

There is growing global evidence that leveraging digital health tools can significantly enhance reproductive health services. The global digital sexual and reproductive health market was valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 15.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13.1% (Virtue Market Research, 2024). Digital health tools are particularly useful in low-resource and underserved settings. These tools, including mobile health (mHealth), telemedicine, digital platforms, and health information systems, have the potential to bridge gaps by overcoming geographical barriers, reducing costs, and improving access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. This review examines the evidence on digital health tools in enhancing sexual and reproductive health services within the framework of sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 3.7 which aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services by 2030.

Health responsibility enables an individual to achieve physical, mental, and social well-being. However, physical inactivity has become a global challenge, and that is why the World Health Organisation document for a global action plan on physical activity from 2018 to 2030, with the theme "More active people for a healthier world," is imperative. Physical activity and health responsibility are components of health-promoting behaviours that contribute to the overall health among various populations, including middle-aged staff. This study examined factors that predict physical activity and health responsibility among middle-aged staff of tertiary institutions in South-West, Nigeria.

This study examined the role of social sciences and management in addressing global challenges, with specific reference to Wesley University, Ondo, and the Methodist Church Nigeria. In response to the increasing complexity of global issues such as climate change, poverty, and inequality (Islam & Winkel, 2017), the study was justified by the need to understand how integrating social sciences into management practices can enhance effective solutions (Gupta et al., 2025). It addressed the problem of inadequate integration of social sciences in institutional management strategies, which limits their capacity to respond to global challenges. The objectives were to evaluate the role of social sciences in management, assess the contribution of leadership and social capital to global challenge mitigation, and propose strategies for improving management effectiveness. Guided by social capital theory, which emphasises networks, relationships, and community engagement in problem solving (Chen, 2025), the study adopted a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews with 200 participants. The findings showed that leadership, community participation, and the application of social science knowledge significantly influenced management practices in addressing global challenges. Based on these results, the study recommended promoting interdisciplinary approaches, strengthening leadership development programmes, enhancing community engagement, and encouraging global collaboration. It concluded that integrating social sciences into management strategies is vital for effectively addressing global challenges and that institutions should adopt policies that support leadership, collaboration, and research, while suggesting further research on the long-term impacts of these strategies.

This study investigated the role of digital innovation in enhancing financial management among small businesses in Ondo State, Nigeria, and honours Rt. Rev. Professor Samuel Sunday Obeka, Vice-Chancellor of Wesley University, Ondo, for his contributions to academic excellence and institutional management. Despite the global growth in digital financial tools, many Nigerian small businesses face challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and high costs, which constrain effective financial management and business growth. The study examined the impact of digital innovations on financial practices, identified adoption challenges, and assessed demographic and sectoral usage patterns. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), a mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative surveys of 200 small business owners with qualitative interviews. The findings showed that digital tools enhanced transaction efficiency, record-keeping, and financial control, although infrastructural deficits and skills gaps remained major barriers. The results also revealed that middle-aged male entrepreneurs in the retail and service sectors were the predominant adopters, indicating opportunities to expand inclusion. Policy recommendations emphasised strengthening digital infrastructure, capacity building, affordable access to technology, inclusive support programmes, and continued research to promote sustainable adoption. The study contributes to understanding the transformative potential of digital innovation for small business financial management in Nigeria, providing practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and academics, and concludes that digital innovation is a critical catalyst for improving financial management, competitiveness, sustainability, and broader economic development.

The Sahel region has become a critical site for understanding the intersection of migration, vulnerability, and social protection in the context of fragility. Border communities in this region experience overlapping insecurities driven by climate shocks, conflict, and economic marginalisation, yet remain peripheral to national welfare frameworks. This study explores how social protection systems in Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali respond to the specific needs of populations living in cross-border zones, marked by high mobility and informality. Using a mixed-methods design that integrates spatial vulnerability mapping, policy document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the research interrogates the inclusiveness, coordination, and governance of social protection interventions at the border. Grounded in the theoretical perspectives of social risk management, transnational social protection, and social exclusion, the study reveals how state-centred welfare regimes often fail to account for the fluid livelihoods and identities of border populations. It argues for a re-conceptualisation of social protection as a transboundary public good that requires policy harmonisation and institutional collaboration across Sahelian states. The findings contribute to migration scholarship by highlighting how the governance of mobility intersects with welfare regimes, offering insights for building inclusive and resilient social protection systems in Africa’s borderlands.

To determine mental health literacy levels and their predictors among primary health care workers across Nigeria's five geopolitical zones, and to identify common patient presentations and rates of suspected psychological illness. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study using a census method. The National Refresher Course Centre of the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, held at Wesley University, Ondo State. 66 members of the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted among Community Health Practitioners in each zone. Mental health literacy and the predictors. Mental health literacy among primary health care workers was low, with only 12.1% demonstrating above-average knowledge, mainly associated with longer work experience and a family history of mental illness. Patients commonly presented with physical complaints and symptoms such as fever, headache, insomnia, weight loss, and weakness, while underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders were often unrecognised. Routine mental health assessment was rare, and referrals to psychiatric services were infrequent, with most workers reporting only two to three referrals in the past year. The mental health literacy of primary health care workers in Nigeria is critically low, highlighting an urgent need for extensive capacity building to improve the detection of psychological illness for comprehensive healthcare delivery. None declared.

West Africa is experiencing a significant nutrition transition characterized by a shift from traditional, nutrient-rich diets to those high in fats, sugars, and processed foods. This transformation is driven by rapid urbanization, globalization, income growth, and changing lifestyles. While the region continues to grapple with undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies, there is a growing prevalence of overweight, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions—a phenomenon referred to as the “double burden” of malnutrition. The current narrative review explores the nutritional landscapes of West Africa region and their repercussions on the aspect of public-health. Based on peer-reviewed studies published since 2005 and until 2024, the review will take up the socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors that influence the diet shift that is occurring; these include the increased availability of ultra-processing food commodities, reduced physical activity, and a corresponding drop in the daily food practices. The inpatient literature depicts the importance of policy-level changes that would focus on nutritional education, environmental design, and frail-resiliency plans in regards to the trends. The impact on vulnerable groups, especially women, children, and urban poor populations, is emphasized, highlighting the intersection of nutrition, inequality, and health outcomes. The paper further assesses current policies and interventions across the region, such as school feeding programs, food fortification initiatives, and public health campaigns. However, fragmented efforts, limited resources, and weak enforcement mechanisms hinder meaningful progress. The study advocates for integrated, region-specific strategies that prioritize both food security and healthy dietary practices. Strengthening nutrition surveillance, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration are critical to reversing harmful dietary trends. Ultimately, addressing the nutrition transition in West Africa requires a coordinated public health response to safeguard the future health and productivity of its population.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs) are a family of heritable diseases, which are rare and caused by the inadequateness of the enzyme activity that interferes with proper metabolic pathways related to carbs, proteins and fats. Disruptions in metabolism in connection to these deficiencies are likely to trigger dangerous build ups of intermediates or scarcity in essential energy carriers, placing the condition in the face of acute health risk that requires intensive biomedical intervention. This systematic review performs a combined review of the nutritional control of a variety of four illustrative macronutrient associated IEMs, including: Phenylketonuria (PKU), Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), Medium-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD), and Galactosemia. It looks at earlier methods like the restriction of substrates and the addition of treatments and mentions newer interventions that involve the replenishment of co-factors, the use of genes, and the formulation of new medical foods. In addition, it covers the developments in digital technologies in dietary monitoring and precision nutrition, highlighting the importance of using them in improving adherence and clinical outcomes. The review does not stop at clinical effects but also covers the psychosocial, economic, and ethical aspects of nutritional care, including existing disparities that still exist in low-resource environments. Case studies are given where it can be noted that one should look at early diagnosis, multidisciplinary cooperation, and individual dietary interventions. These arguments together establish the primacy of nutritional therapy in IEM treatment and support a transition towards the dynamic patient-based models over the traditional stagnant methods based on metabolic information and technological advancements. This dynamic model underlines the necessity of shifting toward translational nutritional science, available medical-food commodities, and progressive healthcare policy in order to maximize the results achieved by the individuals with IEMs.

This study investigated the role of forensic accounting in enhancing development accountability in internationally funded projects in Nigeria. The background highlighted issues of financial mismanagement and corruption in donour-funded initiatives, worsened by political interference. The research examined how forensic accounting can improve financial oversight and transparency. Key objectives included assessing the use of forensic tools, understanding political challenges, and evaluating their impact on accountability. The study is framed by three theoretical frameworks. First and foremost, the principal-agent theory; secondly, new institutional economics; and lastly, political economy, which focused on the relationships between government, institutions, and accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s development context. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholders such as government agencies, development partners, and forensic experts. The research found that forensic accounting has potential, but its effectiveness was hindered by weak institutions, political dynamics, and limited technical capacity. The policy implications suggested legal and institutional reforms, including mandatory forensic audits for development projects, capacity-building, and independent oversight bodies. The study recommended policies for mandatory forensic auditing, transparent reporting, and legal reforms to ensure political independence in financial oversight. In conclusion, the study argued that implementing forensic accounting practices can improve development accountability in Nigeria, provided there is institutional commitment and political will.