International Journal of Multidisciplinary Department
Volume 1, Issue 1 (November-December) 2025
FRAMING THE NATION: MEDIA TRUST, SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, AND THE DYNAMICS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY
OKOROZOH, Ugochukwu Lawrence, Ph.D (correspondence)*
Projects Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, PRODA Road (off Abakaliki Express way) Emene Industrial Layout, Emene, Enugu
Published: Nov 10, 2025
Page 1-27
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of strategic nation-branding narratives, media trust, and social media engagement on public perception of Nigeria’s nation brand, using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from 196 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through a structured questionnaire measuring exposure to branding campaigns, trust in media, social media engagement, and perception of nation branding. Qualitative data were obtained from a content analysis of 120 media items from government sources, independent press, and major social media platforms. Reliability and validity were confirmed via Cronbach’s alpha (0.79–0.87) and exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.82; Bartlett’s p < .001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that exposure (β = 0.26, p < .001), media trust (β = 0.28, p < .001), and social media engagement (β = 0.13, p = .012) significantly predicted perception, controlling for demographics. Mediation testing indicated that media trust partially mediated the relationship between exposure and perception (indirect effect = 0.10, 95% CI [0.04, 0.18]). Moderation analysis showed that education moderated the effect of exposure, with weaker effects among tertiary-educated respondents (B = -0.14, p = .044). Content analysis identified three dominant themes: positive success stories (28%), counter-narratives of corruption and governance failures (42%), and neutral informative content (30%). Integrated analysis showed that positive narratives were associated with higher perception scores (Cohen’s d = 0.42). The study concludes that credible, consistent, and participatory communication strategies are critical for effective nation branding. It recommends prioritizing trusted media channels, tailoring messages for educated audiences, leveraging citizen co-creation via social media, and aligning brand messages with lived realities to strengthen Nigeria’s national image.
Keywords: Nation Branding, Media Trust, Social Media Engagement, Framing Theory, Public Perception, Nigeria, Mixed-methods Research, Strategic Communication.
AN OVERVIEW OF SAWDUST UTILIZATION AS ECO-SUSTAINABLE RAW MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION, AND ENERGY GENERATION
OGINNI, Olarewaju Thomas (correspondence)*
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Published: Nov 15, 2025
Page 1-15
Abstract
Growing concerns over environmental degradation, unsustainable waste disposal, and rising unemployment necessitate the exploration of innovative approaches to waste-to-wealth conversion. This paper gave the overview application of sawdust an abundant by-product of timber processing as an eco-sustainable raw material across key sectors such as agriculture, construction, industry, and energy generation. Assessing its potential for wealth creation, the study highlights sawdust transformation from a neglected pollutant into a resource that fosters economic empowerment, job opportunities, and environmental sustainability. Areas examined include its physical and chemical properties, conversion techniques, and real-world adoption in low- and high-income economies. Systemic analysis were made to identify economic, environmental, and social outcomes, with particular attention to green technology innovations. The results demonstrate that sawdust can significantly reduce environmental pollution when diverted from open burning and landfill disposal. In construction, it enhances low-cost composite materials while, it improves soil fertility and livestock bedding in agriculture. It serves as an efficient biomass fuel in bioenergy, and in industry, it acts as a filler and absorbent. These applications directly contribute to circular economy models, wealth creation, and youth employment. Harnessing sawdust as a sustainable raw material offers governments, entrepreneurs, and local communities viable opportunities for green enterprise development, rural industrialization, and climate change mitigation. This paper underscores the transformative potential of sawdust within waste-to-wealth frameworks, offering practical pathways for policy implementation, sustainable industry, and future bioeconomy expansion.
Keywords: Sawdust, waste-to-wealth, sustainable materials, circular economy, bioenergy.
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE CONTINUED PATRONAGE OF TRADITIONAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN RURAL NIGERIA: A FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
Edime YUNUSA (correspondence)*
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba Kogi State – Nigeria
Published: Nov 11, 2025
Page 1-16
Abstract
This paper provided an analysis of the enduring relevance of traditional health facilities in rural Nigeria through a robust functionalist lens. Despite the increasing, albeit often uneven, penetration of modern healthcare infrastructure into rural areas, traditional medicine continues to serve as a critical and often primary source of healthcare for a significant proportion of the rural populace. This paper posited that the sustained patronage of traditional health facilities is not merely a matter of historical inertia or a consequence of the absence of alternatives, but rather a reflection of the crucial social, cultural, economic, and psychological functions these systems fulfil within their specific contexts. By exploring the intricate socio-cultural embeddedness, enhanced accessibility, perceived affordability, culturally congruent explanatory models of illness, and the holistic care offered by traditional medicine, this paper offers a justification for its continued significance. The paper concluded that the significant patronage of traditional health facilities in rural Nigeria can be justified from a structural functionalist perspective. These facilities serve essential and multifaceted social functions that extend beyond mere healthcare provision, encompassing cultural preservation, economic support, social cohesion, and the provision of culturally congruent explanatory models of illness and holistic care. Furthermore, it advocates for a more integrated and collaborative approach between traditional and modern healthcare systems in Nigeria to enhance overall healthcare access and affordability of service delivery and achieve health equity in rural communities.
Keywords: Justification, Continue Patronage of Traditional Medicine, Health Facilities, Rural Communities, Functionalist Perspective, Nigeria
LABOUR UNIONISM AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA : A LITERATURE REVIEW
Edime YUNUSA (correspondence)*
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba Kogi State – Nigeria
Published: Nov 15, 2025
Page 1-18
Abstract
Labour unions remain pivotal actors in shaping socio-economic outcomes across the globe, particularly in developing nations where they often serve as the principal vehicles for collective bargaining and social justice. In Nigeria, the historical and contemporary significance of labour unionism cannot be overstated, yet its contribution to national development remains contested and uneven. This paper interrogates the nexus between labour unionism and national development in Nigeria, with three key objectives: to examine the influence of labour unionism on economic and social development outcomes, to identify the challenges that hinder unions from contributing effectively to national development, and to analyse institutional and policy measures that strengthen or weaken the positive role of labour unions. Guided by the pluralist theory of industrial relations, which views employers, employees, and the state as distinct but legitimate interest groups whose conflicts can be managed through institutionalised mechanisms, the paper adopted a secondary method of data collection from peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports among internet documented materials. The paper showed that while labour unions in Nigeria have been instrumental in wage increases, improved working conditions, and policy advocacy, their efforts are frequently undermined by weak institutional capacity, inconsistent government compliance with agreements, internal governance challenges, and adversarial labour–state relations. These dynamics produce mixed effects, with unions sometimes acting as catalysts for development and at other times as sources of disruption. The paper concluded that the developmental potential of Nigerian labour unionism can be realised only through reforms that institutionalise tripartite dialogue, strengthen union accountability, and ensure consistent enforcement of labour policies, transforming unions into reliable partners in achieving national development goals. It however recommended among others that government and union leaders should establish structured mechanisms that link wage negotiations and industrial agreements directly to measurable development indicators such as productivity growth, poverty reduction, and public service delivery outcomes.
KEYWORDS: Labour Unionism, National development, Nigeria, Pluralist theory, Industrial Relation, Wage Policy, Institutional Capacity, Policy Enforcement, Collective Bargaining, Workers Welfare
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA
Ramat Blessing HASSAN (correspondence)*
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba Kogi State – Nigeria
Published: Nov 14, 2025
Page 1-23
Abstract
The advent of social media has revolutionized the way people interact, communicate, and share information, however, it has also had a profound impact on crime and the criminal justice system across the world. Therefore, this paper examined the impact of social media on crime and the criminal justice system in Nigeria, focusing on law enforcement operations, judicial processes, and community policing. Drawing on Routine Activity Theory and Social Learning Frameworks employing analysis of secondary data from academic journals, and institutional documents, the paper investigated the effectiveness of social media surveillance techniques, challenges in handling digital evidence, and the role of social media in facilitating community policing. This paper revealed that social media platforms have significantly influenced criminal activities, with an increase in social media-enabled fraud in Nigeria. However, law enforcement agencies have successfully adapted and prevent potential crimes through social media monitoring. The paper also showed that 65% of cybercrime convictions relied on social media-derived evidence, though courts face substantial challenges in evidence authentication and preservation. It further revealed that community policing has been enhanced through social media engagement, resulting in a 55% increase in crime detection rates through citizen reporting. The paper however showed that despite these improvements, significant challenges persist, including technical infrastructure limitations, privacy concerns, and cross-jurisdictional coordination issues, with only 35% of transnational cybercrimes successfully tracked through existing surveillance mechanisms. The paper concluded that while social media has become an integral tool in modern law enforcement, its effective utilization requires enhanced technical capabilities, standardized protocols for digital evidence handling, and stronger international cooperation. The paper recommended establishing a centralized Digital Forensics Training Academy, developing comprehensive guidelines for social media evidence handling, and creating dedicated Cyber Response Units across all State Police commands among others.
KEYWORDS: Social Media, Impact, Crime, Criminal Justice System, Digital Evidence