African Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Policy Studies

The Nexus of Financial Development, Foreign Direct Investment, and Economic Growth in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries

Cyprain S. Anyalagbu — 2026-05-13

This review examined the multi-faceted relationship between financial development, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth for 22 countries within the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region during the period 2007-2024. The study examines the contribution of financial institution access, efficiency and market depth, institutional quality and human capital development to financial development following the International Monetary Fund (IMF) multidimensional approach to financial development. The methodology is based on annual observations and reveals that the region is generally improving its financial development, with the economies of Namibia and Seychelles leading the way, but there are considerable differences between them and the global average with some countries doing poorer than the average. The descriptive statistics show that the real GDP growth rate has a large dispersion (mean growth rate of 4.04%) and a significant difference between countries with respect to banking infrastructure and credit market depth. The results suggest that financial development is useful in theory for its ability to lower transaction costs, channelize savings, and stimulate growth, but in practice is limited in its effect in SSA by low levels of financial development, high public debt, and institutional weaknesses. The study concludes that financial deepening should be accompanied by macro-fiscal stability and strong regulation to prevent speculative risks and to get the maximum growth benefits. The recommendations to the policy highlight the need to carry out the policy sequentially, digital financial inclusion with targeted focus and management of sovereign borrowing risks for a robust financial system to catalyze long-term economic gains from FDI and domestic credit.

Adopting Nollywood as a model for tackling insecurity in Nigeria

Judith Akunne Ume — 2026-05-18

Nigeria faces persistent insecurity challenges, exacerbated by youth unemployment. This study explores the potential of Nollywood, Nigeria’s vibrant film industry, in addressing these issues. The research investigates how Nollywood can provide job opportunities for youth, reducing unemployment and consequently mitigating insecurity. Additionally, it assesses the impact of Nollywood films on audiences’ perceptions of crime and criminalities. Through qualitative methodology, which involved interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and content analysis of selected films, this study engaged with Nollywood stakeholders, youth, and audiences through which relevant data for the study were gathered. As an entrepreneurial and popular media, the study relied on Agenda-setting theory to investigate how Nollywood can (re)set agenda for the Nigeria society in the area of security and job creation. Findings informed strategies for leveraging Nollywood’s influence to promote peace-building, conflict resolution, and crime prevention. By examining the industry’s job creation potential and media influence, this study contributes to innovative solutions for Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, highlighting the role of popular culture, like Nollywood, in driving positive societal change.

The justiciability of the human right to adequate housing in Nigeria: the need to move beyond the constitutional silence

Igwe Onyebuchi Igwe — 2026-05-22

Housing is one the basic necessaries of life. Housing is a structure that provides a place of living for individuals or groups. It is a home, a residence or a dwelling. Housing is so important to human life that without it, life becomes miserable, undignified and hopeless. It is the primus inter pares human right. Unfortunate, as important as the human right to adequate housing is in the global space, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) failed to expressly make provision for the human right to adequate housing in Nigeria. What seemed to be provided under the economic, social and cultural rights in the Nigerian Constitution is the directive to the state to work towards ensuring suitable shelter which by its meaning is distinct from housing. In other words, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is silent on the provision of human right to adequate housing. This paper became necessary in order to unearth the irony of human life without right to adequate housing. The paper became imperative because of the importance of the human right to adequate housing in the realization of other human rights. The paper adopted a doctrinal method of research through the review of primary and secondary materials such as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, international and regional instruments on human rights, among others. The paper found that the negative impacts of none inclusion of the human right to adequate housing in Nigerian constitution made access to housing a luxury rather than a necessity. The paper therefore recommended among others, the overhaul of the legal framework on human right in Nigeria for the purpose of the inclusion of the human right to adequate housing in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other enabling laws. The paper concluded by arguing that the fundamental human right to life and dignity of human person cannot be adequately realized in Nigeria in the absence of right to adequate housing. There is no dignity in a man who does not have a place to sleep during nightfall or a place to run to at a close of work or during rain or sun

Measuring ICT Adoption and Institutional Performance in Public Sector Organizations: Development of a Conceptual Measurement Framework

Vincent Kenechukwu Okpala — 2026-06-10

The measurement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption and institutional performance in public sector organizations remains a persistent methodological challenge in information systems and public administration research. Despite increasing digital transformation initiatives in developing economies, there is limited consensus on standardized indicators for evaluating ICT integration and its impact on institutional outcomes. This paper develops a conceptual measurement framework for assessing ICT adoption and institutional performance in public sector organizations. Drawing on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model, and institutional theory, the study synthesizes existing literature to propose multidimensional constructs for ICT adoption and performance measurement. ICT adoption is conceptualized across dimensions of system usage, accessibility, digital competence, and integration level, while institutional performance is operationalized through efficiency, service delivery quality, transparency, and employee productivity. The paper contributes a structured framework that enhances measurement consistency and supports future empirical validation in developing country contexts. The study concludes that robust measurement design is critical for advancing ICT-related governance research and improving comparability across studies.

Awareness towards Cyberbullying Laws among Active Social Media Youths in Southeast Nigeria

Stanley Ikenna Onwuchekwe — 2026-06-10

Over the past few decades, cyberbullying has become a prevailing aspect of cybercrime that is raising serious concern globally, as it is affecting individuals, especially youths who are the major active users of internet and various social media. Recognizing the dire impact of the phenomenon on individuals and the society at large, the Nigerian government enacted the Cybercrime Act in 2015 to address every aspect of cybercrime including cyberbullying. However, little is known about the level of awareness of youths towards these laws, especially in Southeast Nigeria. Adopting the risk society theory as a theoretical framework, this study investigated the awareness of youths about cyberbullying laws in Southeast Nigeria.The research adopted a quantitative descriptive research design, utilizing a questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 430 youths aged 18-40 years, who were selected through a convenient sampling technique and voluntary participation. A web-based researcher-developed structured questionnaire covering itemson awareness of cyberbullying laws was used to collect data from the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency count and simple percent. The associated between selected covariates and awareness about cyberbullying laws was tested using chi-square test at 0.05 significant levels. Findings of the study revealed a lack of awareness among the majority (44.9%) of youths regarding the existence and provisions of cyberbullying laws. Furthermore, only a small percentage of respondents (8.1%) displayed a comprehensive awareness of the legal consequences associated with cyberbullying. The study therefore recommends the need for comprehensive educational programmes on cyberbullying to bridge the gap between legislation and the understanding of these laws among the young population.

Evaluating the impact of public budgetary allocations on healthcare, education, and infrastructural development in Anambra State (2020–2025)

Emmanuel Chinedu Okoye — 2026-06-16

This study examined the effect of Public Budgetary Allocations on Healthcare, Education and Infrastructural Development in Anambra State 2020 – 2025. The study used a qualitative research design with document analysis that was based on the Keynesian Theory of Public Expenditure. The population consisted of publicly available official documents such as Anambra State annual budgets, budget performance report and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) development indicators. Systematic data extraction was carried out and qualitative content analysis used, based on a document analysis checklist validated by the researcher. The results showed that there is a strong infrastructure bias in economic allocation, which climbed from 23% at ₦32.0 billion in 2020 to 55% at ₦235.0 billion in 2023 and 39% in 2025. On the whole, social sectors faced a harsh fiscal constraint in 2023, with education foregoing 3.2% and healthcare 2.4% due to local crisis of security and political distortions. Some social allocations have been restored by 2025, but the continued lack of investment in human capital is still a key development constraint. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the infrastructure will create short-term growth but the sustainable development will need balanced division of sectors. It suggests the creation of robust subnational public financial management processes and holds strong responsibility mechanisms to ensure that the resources are distributed effectively