Edu Rekha International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Economics and Business Management
Volume- 2 Issue- 5 (September - October)
Digital Competence as a Predictor of Smart Agricultural Technology Utilization among Agricultural Education Lecturers in Colleges of Education in South-South Nigeria
Chijioke-Eke Joy Ndidi Ph.D.
View PDFPages: 01-08Abstract
This study determined digital competence as a predictor of smart agricultural technology utilization among Agricultural Education lecturers in Colleges of Education in South-South Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the level of digital competence, identified the availability and extent of utilization of smart agricultural technologies, examined factors influencing technology utilization, and determined the relationship between digital competence and technology utilization. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised all Agricultural Education lecturers in Colleges of Education in South-South Nigeria, while an illustrative sample of 220 lecturers was used for demonstration purposes. Data were collected using the Digital Competence and Utilization of Smart Agricultural Technologies Questionnaire (DCUSATQ). The instrument was validated by experts in Agricultural Education, Educational Technology, and Measurement and Evaluation, while Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients of 0.87, 0.84, and 0.81 were obtained for the Digital Competence, Technology Utilization, and Influencing Factors scales, respectively, with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that Agricultural Education lecturers possessed a high level of digital competence. Smart agricultural technologies were moderately utilized, with online agricultural databases and mobile agricultural applications being the most frequently used, while drone technology and precision agriculture tools recorded relatively low utilization. Institutional support, digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, and training opportunities were identified as major factors influencing technology utilization. The study further revealed a significant positive relationship between digital competence and smart agricultural technology utilization. Multiple regression analysis showed that digital competence significantly predicted smart agricultural technology utilization, while the combined influence of digital competence, institutional support, ICT infrastructure, and training exposure explained the variance in technology utilization. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there should be continuous professional development in digital agriculture, improved institutional support, enhanced ICT infrastructure, and increased investment in smart agricultural technologies to strengthen technology integration in Agricultural Education programmes.
Keywords: Digital competence; Smart agricultural technologies; Agricultural Education; Technology utilization; Colleges of Education; South-South Nigeria.
TOWARDS REVIVING IGBO HERITAGE: RECOVERING INDIGENOUS MEDICINE, COMMUNAL LIVING, APPRENTICESHIP, AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR ETHICAL, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL, AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Dr Marcel Emeh
View PDFPages: 09-17Abstract
Igbo society possesses a rich body of indigenous knowledge and institutions that historically supported health, social cohesion, entrepreneurship, moral responsibility and community development. Yet colonial disruption, religious change, urbanisation, globalisation, migration, technological transformation and changing ideas of success have weakened or altered many of these institutions. This article critically examines the contemporary relevance of indigenous medicine, communal living, the Igba-Boi apprenticeship system, traditional leadership and title-taking, asking what should be recovered, scientifically investigated, reformed, adapted or discontinued. Using a critical integrative review of empirical, theoretical, historical and policy literature, the article argues that cultural revival should not mean an uncritical return to the past or the restoration of a particular religion. Rather, it should recover constructive ways of life that can coexist with religious plurality, scientific evidence, human dignity and contemporary development. Particular attention is given to Igba-Boi as an indigenous mechanism of entrepreneurial learning and post-Civil-War resilience, including its role in rebuilding economic opportunity under severe capital constraints. The paper also examines the tension between the Igbo ethic of productive work and contemporary quick-wealth pressures, and considers how title institutions may either reinforce character and legitimate achievement or intensify materialism and status competition. Indigenous medicine is approached as knowledge deserving respectful documentation and rigorous evaluation, consistent with current international emphasis on evidence, safety and regulation. The article concludes that sustainable heritage depends on alignment between what a society remembers, teaches, practises, rewards and transmits to succeeding generations.
Keywords: Igbo heritage; indigenous medicine; Igba-Boi; communal living; traditional leadership; title-taking; cultural sustainability; psychological well-being
BUSINESS FAILURE AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHALLENGES IN THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND THE WAY FORWARD
Dennis Onyekachi Awa1* & Dr. Chinyere Ihuoma Awa2
View PDFPages: 18-24Abstract
Business failure remains an important challenge to the development, stability and credibility of the Nigerian capital market. Although corporate failure may arise from legitimate commercial difficulties, persistent weaknesses in corporate governance, financial reporting, internal control, risk management, ethical conduct and regulatory compliance can increase the likelihood that corporate distress will become severe and difficult to reverse. The consequences extend beyond individual companies because shareholders may lose investments, employees may lose employment, creditors may experience losses, government revenue may decline and confidence in the capital market may deteriorate. This paper examines the relationship between business failure and accountability challenges in the Nigerian capital market. It adopts a conceptual review approach based on relevant corporate governance principles, regulatory documents, scholarly literature and institutional publications. The paper identifies weak corporate governance, ineffective boards, inadequate disclosure, financial reporting manipulation, poor internal controls, managerial opportunism, conflicts of interest, weak risk management, audit failures, regulatory compliance problems and ineffective enforcement as major accountability challenges. The paper argues that the existence of corporate governance regulations alone is insufficient unless directors, managers, auditors, regulators and other market participants are held responsible for compliance and misconduct. The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission has strengthened its governance framework, including requirements concerning board independence, disclosure and director tenure, while recent regulatory measures also seek to improve the resilience of regulated entities. However, gaps between regulatory requirements and actual implementation remain a concern. The paper recommends stronger enforcement, technology-driven regulatory surveillance, improved board independence, effective audit committees, enhanced financial disclosure, protection of whistle-blowers, greater accountability of directors and auditors, investor education and early-warning mechanisms for financially distressed companies. It concludes that sustainable development of Nigeria’s capital market depends not merely on increasing market size and transactions but on building a culture of transparency, responsibility, ethical leadership and enforceable accountability.
Keywords: Business failure, accountability, corporate governance, capital market, financial reporting, Nigeria, investor protection, regulatory compliance.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL RAW MATERIALS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA
Ibeanu Oluchi Peculiar
View PDFPages: 25-35Abstract
This study investigated the impact of the import and export of agricultural raw materials on economic growth in Nigeria, with a specific focus on understanding how international trade influences national output, the extent to which the global fluctuations of agricultural commodities in the agricultural market affects the economic growth of Nigeria and to evaluate the role of government policies and infrastructure played in facilitating agricultural trade in Nigeria. Despite Nigeria’s abundant agricultural resources, the country continues to import significant quantities of raw materials while exporting largely unprocessed commodities, thereby, raising questions about the contribution of agricultural trade to economic development. This study employed the ARDL Model (Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model), making use of time-series data from 1985-2023, to analyze both the short-run and long-run relationships between agricultural trade of raw materials internationally and economic growth. The findings reveal that agricultural exports have a statistically significantly, positive impact on economic growth in the long-run, while agricultural imports dependence undermines domestic production potentials. This study further discovered that the global price fluctuations and infrastructural constraints weaken the benefits of agricultural trade. Based on these results, the study recommends that Nigeria should prioritize value addition, invest in rural infrastructure, implement stable trade policies and support local producers to fully harness the benefits of agricultural trade for sustainable economic growth.
Keywords: Agriculture, Economic Growth, Export and Import, Raw Materials