Papers for Vol. 33(4) 2025
Career Outcomes and Mismatch Faces by Music Graduates of the University of Nigeria
This study investigates the mismatch between professional studies and occupation among music graduates of the University of Nigeria. It aims to determine the extent to which music graduates are employed in fields related to their area of study and to identify factors contributing to any mismatch. A survey design was employed, with data collected from music graduates through questionnaires and interviews. Findings show that a substantial proportion of music graduates are not working in musicrelated fields despite their training. Contributing factors include limited job opportunities in the music industry, inadequate skills and training, and personal interests and choices. The study discusses the implications for graduates' career development, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. It also highlights the implications for music education, training programs, and employment policies in Nigeria. Recommendations include reviewing curricula to incorporate practical skills and industryrelevant training, and policymakers developing initiatives to support music graduates in securing employment in their field. This study contributes to the literature on the mismatch between professional studies and occupation, with a focus on Nigerian music graduates. The findings and recommendations can inform strategies to enhance the employability and career prospects of music graduates. Keywords: Mismatch, Professional studies, Occupation, Tracer, Alumni
Samson Obialor Onu & Adebowale Oluranti Adeogun
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.1-14
Arts-based Approaches to Student Entrepreneurship in a Nigerian University:
Impacts on Learning, Crises Management, and Future Self-Employment
Abstract
This arts-based action research investigates student entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Arts at
the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Student entrepreneurship is defined as a systematic integration of
permissive tendencies between academic study and subsistence ventures that does not impede
educational progress. The study pursues four objectives: (a) to determine the extent to which Faculty
of Arts students engage in subsistence entrepreneurship; (b) to identify the predominant challenges
confronting student entrepreneurship in the faculty; (c) to assess the potential for student
entrepreneurship to enhance staff–student relationships; and (d) to evaluate the prospects for selfemployment
after graduation. The instruments employed were: (1) the Faculty of Arts Student-
Entrepreneurship Review Content Organogram (FAS-ERCO) and (2) the Faculty of Arts Student-
Entrepreneurship Impact Rating Chart (FAS-EIRC). Findings indicate that students willingly
participate in subsistence entrepreneurial activities. The most salient challenges are irregular lecture
schedules, as well as epileptic power and internet supply. While power and financial constraints may
persist after graduation, the crisis-management skills developed by students during their studies are
expected to enhance their readiness for self-employment after graduation. This study shows how arts
faculties in sub-Saharan Africa balance higher education with youth entrepreneurship, offering
practical guidance for policymakers, administrators, and student services. It identifies constraints like
rigid schedules and unreliable infrastructure that hinder entrepreneurship and shows universityhoned
crisis skills aiding postgrad work and self-employment. It also presents two adaptable
instruments (FAS-ERCO, FAS-EIRC) for monitoring impact.
Keywords: Arts-based research, Student entrepreneurship, Crisis management, Self-employment,
Higher education, Nigeria
RitaDoris Edumchieke Ubah, Nkem Fortyunes Alu, Obinna Ugochukwu Muoh, Raphael Lebechukwu Isife
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.15-29
Reading Nigerian Realities through Hangmen Also Die:
An Extrapolative Analysis
Abstract
One Nigerian playwright whose brief pilgrimage on earth has been blessed by providence to create
enduring and provocative plays about Nigerian situations and who appears prophetic in his writing is
Esiaba Irobi. In a greatly tumultuous, tragic play entitled Hangmen Also Die, Irobi in 1989,
projected in the play that the flagrant abuse and misappropriation of the proceeds of crude oil, the
major driver of the nation's economy, by greedy and unconscionable leaders will ostensibly exacerbate
poverty and throw the country into a Hobbesian state of nature as people struggle to survive by all
means. Leaning on the theory of prebendalism which Richard Joseph used to describe the nature of
Nigerian politics where 'state offices are regarded as prebends that can be appropriated by
officeholders, who use them to generate material benefits for themselves, their constituents and kin
groups”, the paper aims to dissect Hangmen Also Die, through close reading and content analysis to
demonstrate that the current state of anomie faced by many Nigerians in the twenty first century,
parallels the actions and utterances of the characters in the play. Because insecurity, kidnapping,
youth restiveness and all kinds of oddities dramatised in the play, have continued to cause Nigerians
to gasp for breath daily in an environment where human lives are no longer sacrosanct, as life appears
to be lived on the crest of the waves owing to horrendous terrorist attacks and mass killing of ordinary
Nigerians. This paper argues that Hangmen Also Die anticipates the 21st-century Nigerian crisis
by dramatizing oil-driven prebendalist governance that disorients the social order into a Hobbesian
state of nature.The paper concludes that the Nigerian failing condition needs to be addressed to avoid
slipping into a Hobbesian state of nature.
Keywords: Extrapolate, Leaders, Hobbesian state, Nigerian condition, Prebendalism, Irobi, Oil
Norbert Oyibo Eze, Cindy Anene Ezeugwu, Oguejiofor V Omeje, Austin Chibueze Okeke, Nneka Alio
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.30-40
Digital Mediation and Cultural Sustainability of Sacred Heritage in Cyprus:
Communicative Memory Across a Divided Island
Abstract
Cultural sustainability represents a crucial pillar of sustainable development, highlighting the need to
preserve and transmit cultural values, memories, and practices across generations. Within this
broader sustainability framework, this study investigates how digital mediation supports the cultural
sustainability of religious heritage in Cyprus, a politically divided island where sacred architecture
embodies both spiritual meaning and collective identity. The research focuses on two sacred sites
situated on opposite sides of the border, the St. Mamas Monastery in Morphou and the Hala Sultan
Tekke in Larnaka, to explore how online representations of faith act as emotional and mnemonic acts
of connection. Using a qualitative approach, 480 Facebook posts shared within two online
communities (“I Love Morphou” and “Hala Sultan Tekke”) were analysed through critical discourse
and visual representation analysis. The findings reveal two affective patterns: nostalgic spirituality
shaped by loss and remembrance, and ritualistic spirituality grounded in continuity and
participation. Through the concept of Ontological Participation (Yılmaz, 2019), the study redefines
digital religion as lived experience rather than mere representation. By linking digital heritage to the
cultural aspect of sustainability, the research demonstrates that online sacred narratives can preserve
emotional heritage and sustain cross-communal cultural bonds in divided societies.
Keywords: Cultural sustainability, Digital religion, Communicative memory, Cyprus, St.
Mamas Monastery
Emel Y?lmaz
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.41-54
Rethinking Decoloniality, Sexuality and Feminist Epistemology
in African History
Abstract
This paper revisits the trajectory of African history pedagogy in Nigeria, foregrounding the
indispensable contributions of women and challenging the colonial-epistemic privileging that has long
marginalized their roles. Building on Kenneth Onwuka Dike's leadership at the Ibadan School of
History, which advanced the principle that absence of written records does not entail absence of
history, this study critiques the persistent underrepresentation of women in canonical Nigerian
histories and in major national narratives such as Obaro Ikime's edited volume. While scholars like
Bolanle Awe, Nwando Achebe, and Ikpe have illuminated the viability of African women's history,
persistent overemphasis on sensationalized or narrowly defined ''public spaces'' can misrepresent and
essentialize women's experiences. This paper argues for a redesigned African Women's History
curriculum that interrogates patrilineal norms while situating women's achievements within broader
social, economic, and political contexts—encompassing sexuality, divorce, access to credit, education,
and the public sphere. By revisiting renowned heroines—Queen Amina, Omu Okwei of Ossomari,
Omu Nwakogba of Onitsha, Ahebi Ugabe, among others—this reorientation aims to foster strong
epistemological debates about gender, patriarchy, and knowledge production. The proposed curricular
framework seeks to balance rigorous historical reconstruction with critical theoretical guidance,
enabling students to recognize women's agency, negotiate multiple forms of knowledge, and
participate in inclusive, plural histories. In doing so, the study contributes to a more comprehensive
and reflexive pedagogical praxis that reimagines African history as a dynamic, contested, and
historically situated discipline.
Keywords: African women's history, Nigeria, Curriculum redesign, Gender, Patriarchy, Queen
Amina
Uche Uwaezuoke Okonkwo
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.55-68
Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Enterprise Value of Nigerian Firms
Abstract This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and enterprise value in Nigeria, focusing on three key environmental metrics: Resource Use Score, Emissions Score, and Innovation Score. Data were collected from corporate publications, including annual and independent sustainability reports. The study employed content analysis to extract relevant data, followed by descriptive statistics and panel regression analysis to estimate the model and test the hypotheses. The Hausman test was used to determine whether a fixed-effects or random-effects model was more appropriate. The results show that corporate governance mechanisms (CGMs) had a significant impact on firms' enterprise value (EV) in Nigeria. significantly impacts enterprise value in Nigeria. Specifically, the Resource Use Score has a statistically significant positive relationship with enterprise value. The researchers recommended that a strong governance code, as obtainable in the financial sector, be implemented in other sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market. Keywords: Corporate governance mechanism, Enterprise value, Environmental score, Corporate environmental performance, Resource use score, Emissions score
Ogechi Ibeabuchi-Ani, Geogina Obinne Ugwuanyi, Clifford Chilasa Agbaeze, Fidelis Anake Atseye, Udeme Okon Efanga, Enya G. Emori, Oko Roseline Ali, Erasmus Ejike Duru, Nnenna Mercy Nwoko, Chidi Paul Orji
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.69-88
Linguistic Transformations and Strategic Communication in Wartime
Ukraine: Ethical Challenges, Media Narratives, and NationalMobilisation
Abstract
This study analyses how the war in Ukraine has transformed linguistic practices, communication
strategies, and ethical paradigms within media and academic discourse. Specifically, it examines how
language functions as a tool of national mobilization, identity formation, and information resistance.
A descriptive sociolinguistic design was employed. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured
interviews with 100 participants, including journalists, linguists, and media professionals.
Data were analysed using content analysis, sociolinguistic analysis, and ethical analysis to identify
linguistic shifts, communication patterns, and ethical dilemmas in wartime contexts. Findings
indicate that linguistic transformation in Ukraine extends beyond lexical innovation to include: (a)
the emergence of neologisms, (b) changes in communication ethics, and (c) the adoption of strategic
narratives that promote national unity. Media discourse has emerged as a key instrument for
countering disinformation, mobilising citizens, and shaping international perceptions of the conflict.
Wartime linguistic transformation in Ukraine represents a comprehensive process of cultural and
ideological adaptation; language has evolved into a strategic mechanism for resilience, ethical
awareness, and global communication. The study offers a valuable model for understanding linguistic
change during armed conflict.
Keywords: Discourse of war, Ethical challenges, Linguistic transformations, National mobilisation,
Transformation of communicative strategies
Liudmyla Yuldasheva, Oleksandr Yemets, Nadiia Senchylo-Tatlilioglu, Serhii Subota, Valentyna Tymkova
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.89-109
Rhetorical Strategies Employed by Instagram Vendors in
Their Product Marketing
Abstract
This study investigates the rhetorical strategies employed by Instagram vendors in their product
marketing to appeal to audiences on the platform. Thirty-two Instagram posts from thirty-two brands
were randomly selected from each brand‟s official account, comprising images and excerpts from
advertisements. Data were systematically identified and analyzed to determine the distribution of
rhetorical strategies. The study adopts the Aristotelian tripartite theory as its theoretical framework
and employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings indicate that brands utilize
rhetorical strategies to advertise their products; however, the distribution of these strategies does not
precisely align with the theoretical proportions. Specifically, logos accounted for 87.5% of usage,
pathos for 40.6%, and ethos for 21.9%. The study provides timely empirical insight into how
Instagram vendors deploy Aristotelian rhetorical appeals in visual marketing. By quantifying logos,
pathos, and ethos across 32 brand posts, it reveals a predominant emphasis on logical/feature-driven
appeals (logos) and identifies deviations from traditional theoretical proportions. The mixed-methods
approach offers a replicable framework for analyzing rhetoric in social media content and sets a
baseline for cross-platform and cross-industry comparisons, with implications for marketing practice
and media literacy.
Keywords: Aristotelian rhetoric, rhetorical strategies, Instagram, vendors, product marketing,Brands
Jane Chinelo Obasi
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.110-136
Social Media, Public Opinion, and International Diplomacy:
The Trump Twitter Nexus
Abstract
Social media platforms increasingly mediate how political leaders communicate, shape policy
narratives, and influence decision-making processes. This study examines the impact of media on
leadership behavior through a case study of U.S. President Donald Trump and his prolific use of
Twitter. Employing a secondary data analysis framework and situational discourse analysis, the
research analyzes how Trump's Twitter activity influenced public opinion, guided policy directions,
and affected international diplomacy. Findings indicate that Twitter functioned not only as a direct
communication channel but also as a decision-amplification mechanism that helped mold the
presidential agenda and its execution across domestic and international domains. The study
contributes to the literature on media influence and political communication by (a) documenting how
a social media platform can shape policy salience and framing, (b) highlighting the interplay between
online discourse and executive decision-making, and (c) underscoring implications for understanding
contemporary diplomacy in the social media era. Limitations include reliance on secondary data and
the interpretive nature of discourse analysis; directions for future research are discussed.
Keywords: Media influence, Political communication, Twitter, Donald Trump, Decision-making,
Leadership
Dao Thi Hieu Lam
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.137-150
Harmonizing Law-Making: A Comparative Study of Italian Stability
and Ukrainian Adaptability in the European Context
Abstract
This study conducts a comparative analysis of legislative terminology and law-making practices in
Italy and Ukraine within the broader framework of European legal integration. Its central aim is to
illuminate how conceptual foundations, institutional arrangements, and procedural mechanisms
shape legislative practice in both jurisdictions, with the objective of aligning Ukraine's law-making
system with European Union standards. The theoretical grounding draws on a multidisciplinary
corpus spanning legal language, terminology unification, and the normative bases of legislative
procedures. Methodologically, the study employs an integrative approach—terminological analysis,
hermeneutics, comparative law, and abstraction—supported by empirical examination of legislative
texts and doctrinal sources. Findings indicate that, despite a shared commitment to popular
sovereignty, Italy exhibits greater constitutional stability, procedural clarity, and civic participation
through instruments such as popular initiative and referenda. By contrast, Ukraine's model is
characterized by legislative flexibility and statutory calibration, offering adaptability at the potential
expense of predictability and transparency. The study concludes that codifying law-making
procedures at the constitutional level, institutionalizing citizen participation, and harmonizing
Ukrainian terminology with EU standards would enhance the legitimacy, efficiency, and democratic
quality of national legislation. Such reforms would facilitate Ukraine's integration into the European
legal space and bolster institutional resilience in periods of crisis.
Keywords: Legislation, Legal terminology, Norm drafting, European Union, Ukraine, Italy,
Comparative law, Constitutional law
Vladyslav Teremetskyi, Viktor Lazariev, Nataliia Onishchenko, Yuliia Krasnova, Balynska Olha, Oleh Roy, Ihor Soroka
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.151-
The Vatican II Soundscapes: Post-Conciliar Inculturation in Nigerian
Liturgical Music and the Jude Nnam Phenomenon
Abstract
This study investigates how the Second Vatican Council's pastoral and aesthetic directives—centered
on Sacrosanctum Concilium and Musicam Sacram—have shaped contemporary Nigerian liturgical
music through Sir Jude Chika Nnam's works. Employing ethnographic observation in select
southeastern cities, interviews with clergy and music ministers, and targeted musical analyses, the
paper tests the following questions: (1) How do Nnam's call-and-response structures, ostinati, and
pentatonic melodic tendencies align with or challenge post-Conciliar inculturation? (2) What
implications do these practices have for liturgical solemnity and the boundaries between sacred and
popular idioms? (3) What institutional supports are needed to sustain compositional standards and
formation? The analysis demonstrates that the Jude Nnam phenomenon fosters broad congregational
engagement while provoking ongoing debates about liturgical dignity and cultural identity. Placing
Nnam within the broader Nigerian church music trajectory—from early missionary suppression of
indigenous forms to the post-1965 recovery of local expression—the study offers practical
recommendations for diocesan training, collaboration between composers and liturgists, and avenues
for future research that honor liturgical reverence while affirming Nigerian worship identities. The
study's significance lies in advancing inculturation theory with a concrete Nigerian case, using a
robust mixed-methods approach to show how local idioms interact with liturgical norms. Practically,
it offers actionable guidance for diocesan training and composer–liturgist collaboration. Contributions
include detailing post-Conciliar inculturation in Nigeria, clarifying the role of call-and-response,
ostinati, and pentatony in liturgy, and proposing a framework for future regional and longitudinal
research.
Keywords: Liturgical music, Post-Conciliar Inculturation, Liturgical solemnity, Vatican II, Jude
Nnam phenomenon
Benedict Agbo & Basil Okeke
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.164-177
Digital Storytelling and AI-Enabled Platforms in Igbo Language
Revitalization: Evidence, Theory, and Policy Implications
Abstract
The Igbo language, integral to the cultural identity of southeast Nigeria, has been designated as
vulnerable by UNESCO due to declines in intergenerational transmission. This paper investigates
how digital storytelling—facilitated by social media, mobile applications, artificial intelligence (AI),
and multimedia platforms—can conserve Igbo oral traditions and reinvigorate language use among
younger, digitally native generations. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys
(n = 300 Igbo youths) and interviews with linguists and content providers, the study identifies a
strong preference for app- and social media–based Igbo learning (67–78% across measures; exact
figure depends on instrument) over traditional methods. Case studies of successful digital
initiatives—such as the Akuko Ifo podcast (approximately 10,000 monthly listeners) and the Igbo
Stories TikTok account (around 50,000 followers)—illustrate how platform ecosystems can enhance
participation and linguistic practice. The findings demonstrate the potential of digital formats to
transform Igbo folktales, proverbs, and historical narratives into interactive, scalable experiences that
appeal to non-native speakers and accelerate language acquisition and intergenerational transmission.
Yet, notable challenges remain, including financial constraints and limited rural internet
infrastructure. The paper proposes a policy framework that foregrounds government–non-government
organization (NGO) collaboration and the integration of Igbo into AI technologies (e.g., data
provisioning for enhanced machine translation and language models) as core components. A practical
policy pathway is offered, emphasizing the fusion of traditional knowledge with 21st-century
innovation to sustain Igbo language and culture. This study contributes to the discipline by bridging
language preservation, digital humanities, and technology policy. It provides empirical evidence on
youth receptivity to digital Igbo learning and demonstrates how targeted platform strategies can
catalyze intergenerational transmission. By situating case-study insights within a policy framework,
it advances understanding of how digital ecosystems and AI can be harnessed responsibly to
safeguard endangered languages, offering a scalable model for other high-risk linguistic communities.
Keywords: Igbo language preservation, Digital storytelling, Language revitalization, Technology,
Cultural heritage, Endangered languages
Ogochukwu Fidelia Nwosu, Chinedu Okechukwu Onyemachi, Akuchinyere Eunice Chilaka, Eucharia Ekwutosi Onuoha, Okwudili Chukwuma Nwosu, Hillary Sunday Nnadi, Benjamin Igbeaku
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.178-194
Child Rights Protection in Vietnam's Digital Environment:
The Interplay of Law, Education, and Ethics
in Shaping Youth Digital Citizenship
Abstract
This study explores the intersection of law, education, and children's rights in Vietnam in the context
of digital transformation. The study aims to analyze how legal frameworks and ethics education work
together to protect minors from risks in cyberspace and to build ethical and responsible digital
citizenship. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the study surveyed 113 and conducted semistructured
interviews with 11 policy makers, social activists, educators, and parents who are directly
involved in child protection work. Data were collected through quantitative questionnaires and
qualitative thematic analysis to assess the effectiveness of current legal measures, education programs,
and the level of social awareness of online safety and children's rights. The results show that Vietnam
has made great progress in developing laws to protect children and promote digital competence, but
there is still a gap between legislative goals and implementation effectiveness. Unsynchronized policy
implementation, limited understanding of parents, and a lack of connection between moral education
and digital ethics are notable issues. Interviews highlight the need for closer cooperation between
schools, families, and law enforcement agencies to protect children's dignity and human rights in
cyberspace. The study affirms the necessity of a model combining law and education in child
protection in Vietnam, while contributing to the global forum on human rights education and ethical
development in the digital age.
Keywords:
Child protection, Digital citizenship, Legal education, Ethical development, Vietnam
Bao Khanh Nguyen Huynh
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.195-210
The Communicative Power of Igbo Lyrics: Cultural Identity
and Poverty Awareness in Nsukka
Abstract
Music has long served as a medium of communication and information dissemination; however, its
role in shaping cultural identity and raising poverty awareness remains underexplored. This study
addresses this gap by examining the communicative power of music in articulating cultural identity
and poverty consciousness. Employing a historical and descriptive design, the research utilizes
content analysis to collect and interpret data from two Igbo songs from the Nsukka community,
Onye-amuma la doo and Nna m eee, cheru m oo ka mu bomanegh' uka. Lyrics were
transcribed, translated, and coded to reveal linguistic meanings and structural organization within
the community's cultural framework. The findings identify recurrent themes and linguistic devices
that articulate cultural-linguistic identity and critiques of poverty, thereby illustrating how musical
texts encode social norms, collective memory, and aspirational discourse. The study's significance lies
in its methodological contribution to the field of ethnomusicology and its potential to inform literacy,
language preservation, and cultural policy. By demonstrating how song can function as a vehicle for
cultural communication and poverty eradication, the research offers a model for leveraging customary
music in community development, education, and advocacy. This work advances knowledge on the
intersection of music, identity, and socio-economic discourse in a Nigerian Igbo context.
Keywords: Communicative power, Music, Culture, Language, Identity, Poverty eradication
Ifeoma Agatha Uzoma, Emelda Chinasa Nnanyelugo, Ikenna Emmanuel Onwuegbuna, Gideon Uchechukwu Nwafor
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.211-228
Notarial Mediation in Ukraine: Legal Foundations, Comparative
Insights, and Digital Horizons
Abstract
This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the legal nature, procedural foundations, ethical
standards, and digital perspectives for introducing mediation into Ukraine's notarial practice. It
investigates the potential of notarial mediation as an out-of-court mechanism for private disputes,
with emphasis on inheritance, housing, and land matters. Through a comparative lens, the article
examines experiences in France, Germany, and Italy, focusing on procedural clarity, professional
ethics, and digital integration (e-identification, video communication, and blockchain). A central
argument is advanced: notarial mediation can strengthen social cohesion and access to justice in
Ukraine's post-war context when coupled with robust regulation, an ethics framework, and
interoperable digital infrastructure. The discussion situates notarial mediation within broader EUaligned
standards, including CEPEJ and UNCITRAL guidelines, and identifies institutional and
legislative gaps that constrain implementation. Policy recommendations are offered to improve legal
regulation, certify notary-mediators, develop an ethics code, and advance digital mediation
capabilities. The study highlights the role of notarial mediation in post-conflict recovery and argues
that, when properly regulated, it can reduce court burdens and enhance public trust in legal
institutions. The conclusions are drawn from comparative doctrinal analysis and interdisciplinary
perspectives, with implications for Ukraine's legal modernization and reintegration efforts.
Keywords: Mediation, Notary, Alternative dispute resolution, Digital transformation, Ethics,
Inheritance, eIDAS
Tetiana Drakokhrust, Serhii Rozsokha, Olga Avramova, Olha Bodnar-Petrovska, Olena Makhmurova-Dyshliuk, Yevhenii ??rozov
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.229-242
Difficulties and Supportive Strategies for Learning French in
Multilingual Classrooms
Abstract
This study investigates the difficulties of learning French in multilingual classrooms and identifies
instructional strategies that support diverse learners. Grounded in interference theory and
sociocultural perspectives on learning, the research examines the relative impact of language
interference, limited exposure to French outside class, and variable learner speeds on speaking,
writing, and comprehension. Additional focus is given to learner affect, particularly confidence and
willingness to communicate, and how these factors mediate progress in language outcomes. A mixedmethods
design was employed in a secondary-level French program (n = X students; X L1
backgrounds) across Y classrooms. Data sources included classroom observations, semi-structured
interviews with students and teachers, and performance assessments targeting speaking fluency,
lexical accuracy, and reading comprehension. The study also triangulated motivational indicators
with learner journals to capture self-efficacy and goal orientation. Findings indicate that
interference—especially phonological and lexical transfer—interacts with limited real-world exposure
to constrain communicative competence. Group-based tasks, role-plays, and visually supported
instruction mitigated some effects, yet persistent gaps remained for low-confidence learners and those
with high linguistic distance from French. Implications underscore immersive, peer-supported
practices, translanguaging routines, and assessment designs aligned with communicative competence
to foster sustained engagement and achievement in multilingual classrooms.
Keywords: Accent influence, Cultural differences, Grammar complexity, Pronunciation challenges,
Vocabulary overload
Akinkorede Somana Adisa, Felicia Olufemi Olaseinde, Oluwagbeminiyi Adewanle Bamisaye, Chidi Paul Orji
https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.4.243-256
Principals' Accountability and Effective School Administration
in Benue State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined principals' accountability practices for effective school administration in public
senior secondary schools in Benue State. Guided by five research questions and five corresponding
null hypotheses, the study employed a descriptive research design. The population consisted of 5,104
teachers (2,908 males and 2,196 females) drawn from all 300 public senior secondary schools in Benue
State. A sample of 600 teachers (342 males and 258 females) was selected for the study. Data were
collected using a self-structured questionnaire, the Principals Accountability and Effective School
Administration Questionnaire (PAESAQ), which employed a four-point Likert scale: Very High
Extent (VHE), High Extent (HE), Low Extent (LE), and Very Low Extent (VLE). The instrument
was validated by two experts in the Department of Educational Administration, University of
Nigeria, Nsukka. A test–retest reliability index of 0.76 was obtained. Descriptive statistics (means
and standard deviations) were used to address the research questions, while inferential statistics (ttests)
tested the hypotheses at α = 0.05. The findings indicated that principals' accountability in
relation to students' academic records, school safety and security, and school financial management
significantly influenced effective school administration in public senior secondary schools in Benue
State. The corresponding null hypotheses showed no significant difference between male and female
teachers' mean ratings regarding the extent to which principals' accountability in students' academic
records, school safety and security, and school financial management influenced effective school
administration. Based on the findings, it is recommended that to enhance administrative effectiveness
in Benue State senior secondary schools, principals must be accountable for students' academic
records, school safety and security, and school financial management.
Keywords: Principals' accountability, Effective school administration, Public senior secondary
schools, Academic records, School safety and security, Financial management
Uche Calista Vita-Agundu