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The thesis establishes guidelines for the development of a prototype secondary school in Lagos State, as well as in other parts of Nigeria with similar hot humid climate. The practicability of these guidelines was evaluated by applying it to a hypothetical design project. The study presents a general background of existing conditions in the country--social, educational system, physical and architecture, before defining the context within which the design guidelines must be evolved. With a careful examination of these aspects, a set of design guidelines have been developed. The proposed solution (guidelines) attempts to improve the environmental comfort in schools through the use of passive techniques. Experimental tests on the passive approach was limited to natural ventilation, daylighting and shading control. The design development and guidelines established in this thesis are not definitive but a representation of a preliminary architectural study which may need further investigations. / M. Arch.

Infant mortality (IM) incidence in health facility systems during or after infant delivery is substantially high in Nigeria. In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, the effects of skill birth attendants (SBAs), prenatal care, and providers of prenatal care on IM in health facility delivery centers were examined. The Mosley and Chen theoretical framework informed this study and was used to explain the relationship between SBAs, prenatal care, and providers of prenatal care and IM. One hundred and sixty infant deaths were examined among mothers who used an SBA versus those who did not, mothers who had prenatal care versus those without, and mothers who received prenatal care from a health facility versus traditional providers. The 2014 verbal and social autopsy secondary data set was analyzed using binary logistic regression technique. There was no significant difference in risk of IM between mothers who had SBA during infant delivery in health facility compared to those without SBA during delivery. Mothers who received prenatal care had a significant higher risk of infant death in a health facility compared to those that did not receive prenatal care. Mothers who received prenatal care from traditional providers did not have a statistically significant risk of IM compared to mothers who received prenatal care from a health facility. The findings could have positive social change implications by encouraging multilevel public health stakeholders to support and promote the use of health surveillance in understanding the barriers and challenges of health facility delivery practices, prenatal care, and use of SBA as it relates to IM to facilitate policy change in maternal and infant care practices in Nigeria.

1992 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s broadcasting history as the country formally deregulated her broadcast space. However, it was not until March 2002 that the first commercial radio station was established in Rivers State, a broadcast environment hitherto monopolised by Radio Rivers. The coming of the first independent radio station in Rivers State in March 2002 was followed by the establishment of two other stations in October 2003 and November 2003 respectively. As important as these events in broadcasting in Rivers State are, however, media scholars have argued that in most societies where such change has taken place, public service broadcasters have tampered with their values of being an open space where individuals and groups can come together to be educated, informed, and entertained. This study investigates the extent to which the proliferation of commercial broadcasting outlets has affected Radio Rivers’ public service programming and scheduling. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, through in-depth interviews and analysis of the mandate and programme schedules, the study established that while Radio Rivers still maintains some public service values, its current programming policy is driven by the need to compete with the commercial broadcasters. This is evidenced in the decrease in the programme space allocated to current affairs and educational programmes on the schedule, (the genre of public service broadcasting), and the increase in attention to advertisements and entertainment programmes, (the genre of commercial broadcasting). The study also confirms the adverse effects of dwindling financial resources as forcing public service radios to compromise on their public service values, as majority of programmes on Radio Rivers current programme schedules are now geared towards attracting advertisers rather than serving the public good and interests. However, the study proved that it is not in all cases that the entry of commercial broadcasters into Rivers State broadcast space has undermined Radio Rivers public service values. Indeed, in leading to the expansion of interactive, news, and the diversification of entertainment programmes spaces on Radio Rivers’ programming schedules, the proliferation of commercial broadcasters has yielded some positive effects on Radio Rivers public service values and contribution to the public sphere. The study further highlights the need for some policy reforms at Radio Rivers, such as the introduction of licence fees, increased government funding and loosening government’s current control over the station. In addition, there is the need for the edict establishing the station to be amended to reflect the current trends in broadcasting in Rivers State, and above all to reposition Radio Rivers to sustain public good and public interests in its programming.

Text in English / Anyone using the Internet is likely to use Facebook and anyone using Facebook is likely to use it just about every day. The prevalent uses of the Internet and related technologies is a sign-showing that they have become a part of human life. On any student’s academic side of life, the use of social media (taking Facebook as a case) has become commonplace, but their influences over the academic engagement and performance of students requires deeper understanding. In Africa, the need for studies on the interplay between social media and education is growing. This study focuses on the influence of Facebook on the academic performance of undergraduate social sciences students using three federal Universities in Nigeria, West Africa as research sites. The study shows that Facebook use did not significantly influence the academic performance of the surveyed students at these universities and that its use can, however, be harnessed for augmenting student academic performance and for advancing education in general. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology)

This study explored the acceptance of cloud computing (CC) services by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos, Nigeria, which has been missing from CC services literature. It aimed to understand the motivations for adoption, the uses of the services, and the benefits they derive from it. The uses and gratification theory was applied as the theoretic framework for this endeavor. An online survey with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to 1200 randomly selected participants through email. In total, 392 valid responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and categories. The results found that SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria had a low level of awareness and appreciation of CC services. The adoption rate was also low. Unlike their counterparts in other regions, SMEs primary concerns were service downtime, stable power supply, and better internet access. The study found that SMEs were not taking full advantage of the capabilities of CC services. Some sections, however, were doing better than others, such as the information and communications sub-sector. This study suggested that targeted interventions should be conducted to raise the awareness of CC services in SMEs, and to improve their efficient and effective use of CC services. The uses and gratification theory was appropriate for guiding this study to understand the acceptance and use of CC services by SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria.

Given the general poor state of health care and the devastating effect of user fee, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was instituted as a health financing policy with the main purpose to ensure universal access for all Nigerians. However, since NHIS became operational in 2005, only members of scheme are able to access health care both in the public and in private sectors, representing about 3% of Nigerian population. The thesis therefore examines the design and implementation policy of NHIS in Oyo state, Nigeria. Key design issues conceptual framework guides the analysis of data. The framework identifies three health interrelated financing functions namely revenue collection, risk pooling and purchasing. Data was collected from the NHIS officials, employees of the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and the Health Care Providers (HCPs) using key informant interview. In addition, in-depth interview and semi structure questionnaire were used to gather data from the enrolees and the nonenrolees. Empirical findings show that NHIS is fragmented given the existence of several programmes. In addition, there is no risk pooling neither redistribution of funds in the scheme. Revenue generated through contributions from the enrolees was not sufficient to fund health care services received by the beneficiaries because of the small percentage of the Nigerian population that the scheme covers. Further findings indicate that enrolled federal civil servants have not commenced monthly contribution to the NHIS. They pay 10% as co-pay in every consultation while federal government as an employer subsidised by 90%. Majority (76.8%) of the respondents agreed that they were financially protected from catastrophic spending. However, the overall benefit package was rated moderate because of exclusion of some priority and essential health care needs. Although above half (57%) of the respondents concurred that HMOs are accessible, in the overall, (47.6%) of the respondents were not satisfied with their services. In the case of the HCPs, majority (61.9%) of the respondents claimed that there is no excessive waiting time for consultation. Furthermore, (64.3%) rated their interpersonal relationship with the HCPs to be good. However, more than half of the respondents (54%) disagreed on availability of prescribed drugs in NHIS accredited health facilities. For the nonenrolees, findings show that most of the respondents (72.9%) were willing to enrol, but significant proportion (47.5%) indicated financial constraint as impediment to enrolment. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)

The study sought to describe HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude among teachers in Abuja, Nigeria. The study noted that teachers were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and poor HIV/AIDS attitude persist. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationship exist between education qualification and knowledge of MTCT of HIV during pregnancy; between geographic location and the knowledge to clarify misconception about HIV transmission; between gender and the knowledge of condom use; and between the receipt of HIV/AIDS information or training on FLHE curriculum and the procedural knowledge of discussing / teaching sexuality and HIV/AIDS issues with fellow teachers or students. However, there is no statistical significant relationship between the teachings of HIV/AIDS issues and the feeling that HIV/AIDS education promotes sexual promiscuity. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

The study sought to describe HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude among teachers in Abuja, Nigeria. The study noted that teachers were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and poor HIV/AIDS attitude persist. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationship exist between education qualification and knowledge of MTCT of HIV during pregnancy; between geographic location and the knowledge to clarify misconception about HIV transmission; between gender and the knowledge of condom use; and between the receipt of HIV/AIDS information or training on FLHE curriculum and the procedural knowledge of discussing / teaching sexuality and HIV/AIDS issues with fellow teachers or students. However, there is no statistical significant relationship between the teachings of HIV/AIDS issues and the feeling that HIV/AIDS education promotes sexual promiscuity. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)