International Journal of Multidisciplinary Department
Volume 2, Issue 1 (January – February) 2026
WOMEN, EDUCATION AND WORK: IMPLICATIONS FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
John Adegoke ADERINTO (correspondence)*
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University, Lokoja
Kogi State Nigeria
Published: Feb 27, 2026
Page 1-24
Sustainable development in Nigeria remains constrained by persistent gender disparities in education and labour market participation, making the nexus between women, education, and work a critical development concern. This paper, titled Women, Education and Work: Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria, examined the level of access to and attainment in formal education among women and how this shapes labour market participation; analyses the nature and conditions of women’s engagement in paid and unpaid work; and evaluates the implications of these dynamics for sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper adopted Human Capital Theory as its analytical framework, drawing on the propositions of Schultz and Becker that investment in education enhances productivity and economic returns. A systematic review methodology relying on secondary data was employed, synthesizing recent peer-reviewed empirical and theoretical studies relevant to the paper. Findings indicate that higher educational attainment significantly improves women’s employment prospects and career mobility, particularly in the formal sector, yet structural constraints such as wage disparities, occupational segregation, and care burdens limit full realization of returns on educational investment. The paper further established that gender inequality in education undermines long-term economic growth and weakens poverty reduction efforts. It concluded that while expanding women’s access to quality education is indispensable, sustainable development requires complementary labour market and institutional reforms. The paper recommended among others strengthening female educational completion rates, enforcing gender-responsive employment policies, and integrating women’s economic empowerment into national development planning.
Keywords: Women’s Education, Female Labour Participation, Human Capital, Gender Inequality, Sustainable Development, Nigeria.
Economic Crimes And The Sustainability Of Small Scale
Enterprises (SSEs) In Nigeria’s Informal Sector
Edime YUNUSA (correspondence)*
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prince Abubakar Audu University
Anyigba, Kogi State – Nigeria
Published: Feb 27, 2026
Page 1-25
Purpose: Small scale enterprises are vital to economic growth, employment creation, and poverty reduction in Nigeria, yet their sustainability is increasingly threatened by economic crimes, especially within the informal sector. This study was conducted to examine the impact of economic crimes on the sustainability of small scale enterprises in Nigeria, identify the major forms of crimes affecting them, assess their effects on business performance, growth, and survival, and analyse how these crimes influence decisions on formalisation and longterm viability. Design/methodology/approach: The study is grounded in the Fraud Triangle Theory and Routine Activity Theory and adopts a systematic review design. It relies on secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles and institutional reports published between 2019 and 2024, which were analysed through qualitative synthesis. Findings: The findings reveal that bribery, extortion, fraud, and cybercrime are the most prevalent economic crimes confronting small scale enterprises in Nigeria. These crimes contribute to financial losses, rising operational costs, reduced profitability, and weakened growth prospects. They also discourage many enterprises from formalising their operations. Weak regulatory oversight and the normalisation of corruption further increase business vulnerability. Limitations and research implications: The reliance on secondary data limits empirical depth. Future studies should employ primary data and sector-specific investigations to provide stronger evidence. Practical implications: Policymakers can apply the findings by strengthening institutional frameworks, improving regulatory enforcement, adopting digital monitoring systems, and simplifying business registration processes. Originality/value: The study adds value by linking economic crime directly to enterprise sustainability and formalisation within Nigeria’s informal sector.
Keywords: Economic Crimes, Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Sustainability, Informal Sector, Nigeria.
Administrative Governance and Socioeconomic Development in Nigeria: Exploring the Relationship Between Bureaucratic Efficiency and Public Service Delivery
Ebong, Itoro Bassey Ph.D (correspondence)*
Department of Public Administration, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Published: 28 Feb 2026
Page 1-16
Bureaucratic governance forms the essential core of socioeconomic progress, functioning as the primary mechanism for effective policy execution and robust service provision. Nigeria’s administrative frameworks currently suffer from intersecting vulnerabilities, including severe processing bottlenecks, corrupt practices, and fragile institutional foundations, all of which heavily impede sustainable economic advancement. This academic manuscript evaluates the connection between administrative systems and socioeconomic stability by analyzing the broader impacts of bureaucratic practices. The analytical structure of this investigation is anchored in Public Choice Theory alongside Max Weber’s perspective on bureaucracy. Weber’s paradigm emphasizes the necessity of hierarchical organization and formal procedures driven by merit-based skills to guarantee administrative competence. However, these principles are rarely applied within the Nigerian context, resulting in systemic inefficiencies and widespread administrative breakdown. Furthermore, Public Choice Theory highlights how public officials and policymakers frequently prioritize self-interest, a tendency that precipitates institutional shortcomings and the degradation of public services. This investigation relies on various secondary data methods to evaluate Nigerian administrative norms, utilizing insights drawn from academic publications, official government records, and formal policy documentation. Qualitative analysis of this data pinpointed specific vulnerabilities within the bureaucratic apparatus and revealed consistent patterns connecting these issues to broader societal and economic consequences. The findings indicate that systemic inefficiencies have severely compromised service delivery across critical domains, particularly infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To foster necessary growth, Nigeria must construct robust administrative institutions through comprehensive reforms, prioritizing capacity enhancement and anti-corruption measures. Additional proposals include implementing performance-driven management frameworks to improve goal clarity in public administration, alongside deploying technological innovations to accelerate operational speed within the Nigerian civil service.
Keywords: Bureaucratic governance, public service delivery, administrative efficiency, socioeconomic development, governance reforms.