INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF AFRICAN & ASIAN STUDIES (IJAAS)
The Interdisciplinary Journal of African & Asian Studies (ISSN:2504-8694; E-ISSN:2635-3709) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that provides a platform for critical and comparative research on the histories, cultures, languages, economies, and socio-political systems of Africa and Asia. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, IJAAS encourages contributions from fields such as anthropology, history, political science, international relations, literature, linguistics, development studies, and cultural studies. The journal seeks to foster cross-regional understanding and dialogue by highlighting both the unique and shared experiences of African and Asian societies in a rapidly globalizing world. By bridging geographical and disciplinary boundaries, IJAAS promotes innovative scholarship that deepens insights into the complex dynamics shaping the two continents, while advancing academic collaboration across diverse intellectual traditions. IJAAS is domiciled in the department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
Speech Style-Shifts in Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People
This paper examines the use of speech style shifts by interlocutors engaged in dialogues. In verbal discourse interactants employ different speech styles in different situations. This is because no one speaks in exactly the same manner on all occasions. A number of factors inform these shifts in speech style such as the speaker, the addressee, the setting, topic of discourse and the purpose of the discourse among other factors. Using Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People, this study seeks to identify the speech style shifts in the dialogues of the characters and the motivation for the shifts. It also seeks to determine the way the shifts affected the relationships between the characters as well as the power structures that are at play. To achieve these objectives, six sample excerpts purposively selected from the text were used as data while Ethnography of Communication (EOC) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) were used as theoretical frameworks. Findings revealed that the different speech style shifts identified were influenced mainly by the situation, addressee and social distance.
Speech Style-Shifts in Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah
This paper examines the use of speech style shifts by interlocutors engaged in dialogues. In verbal discourse interactants employ different speech styles in different situations. This is because no one speaks in exactly the same manner on all occasions. A number of factors inform these shifts in speech style such as the speaker, the addressee, social background of the addressee, the speaker’s relationship to the addressee, social distance, situation and power structure, among other factors. Using Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah, this study seeks to identify the speech style shifts in the dialogues of the characters and the motivations for the shifts. It also seeks to determine the way the shifts affected the relationships between the characters as well as the power structures that are at play. To achieve these objectives, six sample excerpts purposively selected from the text were used as data while ethnography of communication was used as the theoretical framework. Findings revealed that the different speech style shifts identified were influenced mainly by the situation and social distance.
SPEECH STYLE-SHIFTS IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S ARROW OF GOD
This paper examines the use of speech style shifts by interlocutors engaged in dialogues. In verbal discourse, interactants employ different speech styles in different situations. This is because no one speaks in exactly the same manner on all occasions. A number of factors inform these shifts in speech style such as the speaker, the addressee, the setting, topic of discourse and the purpose of the discourse among other factors. Using Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God, this study seeks to identify the speech style shifts in the dialogues of the characters and the motivations for the shifts. It also seeks to determine the way the shifts affected the relationships between the characters as well as the power structures that are at play. To achieve these objectives, eight sample excerpts purposively selected from the text were used as data. Findings revealed that the different speech style shifts identified were influenced mainly by the situation and social distance among the characters. Asymmetrical more than symmetrical relations were mostly at play.
A CONTRASTIVE STUDY OF ENGLISH AND IGBO STRUCTURES: A CHALLENGE TO AN IGBO ESL
Igbo native speakers who learn English as L2 most of the time have difficulties in learning the morphological and syntactical structures of the second language. The difficulties emanate from the evidence of differences between the structures of the acquired and learnt languages. The challenges the L2 learner faces prompted the researchers into investigating the differences between the structures of the L1 and that of L2 as they pertain to the Igbo and English languages using the theory of contrastive analysis. The study concentrated only on few aspects of morphology and syntax of the languages under study. The analysis reveals that the contrastive analysis leads to error analysis as the differences and difficulties lead to numerous errors in the process of learning L2; that the knowledge of L1 interferes in the study and mastery of L2. It is therefore, recommended that the curriculum planners take cognizance of those challenges so as to proffer solution on how the difficulties should be tackled for effective teaching and learning atmosphere.
Thecla Udemmadu (PhD); Chinyeaka Lauretta
Effects of Covid-19 ‘Stay at Home’ Difficult Situation on Women: Panic and Feminist Philosophical Perspectives
The untold effects of the coronavirus pandemic cut across all facets of life and sectors. Many scholars and authorities tend to overlook the domestic consequences of the pandemic arising from the ‘stay-at-home’ directive. From panic and feminist philosophical perspectives, this study critically examines the effects of this directive. Drawing on both primary and secondary data, the study reveals that the domestic effects include ethical anomalies arising from domestic violence, marital conflict, family crises, sexual laxity, increased pregnancies and population growth, escalating parenting challenges, hunger and starvation, laziness, poor neighbourliness, and various social vices. The parameter of total lockdowns, curfews, and widespread violations of human rights across many nations introduced new domestic challenges and exacerbated pre existing ones. The study argues that the ‘stay-at-home’ directive produced both immediate and long-term domestic effects, especially on women, and these effects constitute some of the non fatal consequences of Covid-19. The liberal feminist theory, which advocates gender equity between men and women through transformative social and legal reforms, provides the theoretical framework for the study.
Robert, Odey Simon; Udeh, Judith Chinedu; Chris-Urom, Jacinta Onyinyechi
Historical Drivers of Insecurity in Nigeria and Their Relevance to Contemporary Security Challenges
Nigeria’s persistent insecurity is rooted in historical processes that continue to shape contemporary security challenges. Despite its demographic significance, cultural diversity, and abundant natural resources, the country has experienced recurring cycles of violence, manifested in terrorism, banditry, inter-communal clashes, and militancy. This paper examines the historical drivers of insecurity in Nigeria and analyzes their relevance to present-day security dynamics.Drawing on historical and political analysis, the study traces the origins of insecurity to colonial governance structures, post-independence nation-building failures, entrenched ethnic and religious divisions, socio-economic inequalities, and weak governance characterized by corruption and institutional fragility. It argues that British colonial policies of indirect rule and ethnic differentiation laid the foundation for enduring political and social tensions, which were further exacerbated by military rule, economic marginalization, and governance deficits after independence. The paper also engages counterarguments that emphasize external influences or contemporary religious extremism, demonstrating that these factors are deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s historical political economy. By situating current security threats within their historical context, the study highlights the importance of historically informed, inclusive, and development-oriented approaches to addressing insecurity in Nigeria. The paper concludes that sustainable peace requires not only reactive security measures but also structural reforms that address the root causes of conflict embedded in Nigeria’s historical trajectory.
Dr. Francis Okechukwu Ndubuisi; Dr. PhilipMary Ayika
FAMILY AS THE FULCRUM OF LIFE AND NOVITIATE FOR DEMOCRACY
By its nature, the family is the basic unit of any socio-political structure and serves as its primary agent of socialization. Thus, democracy, like every other socio-political organization, has the family as its foundation. However, within a democratic system, the family performs a distinctive role as a form of novitiate, where individuals are first introduced to the values and practices of communal life. This study therefore seeks to examine this unique koinonia (communion) between the family and democracy. To achieve this, it employs the analytical method to critically assess the socio-political relevance of the family within a democratic setting. It further expands its focus to the human family, conceived metaphorically as a “mother” that performs the dual existential roles of nurturing and launching life—that is, both life-bearing and life-giving. Recognizing that the equality upheld in democracy derives not from race, color, ethnicity, or tribe but from the inherent dignity of the human person, the paper presents the family as the prototype of democratic life, where individuals learn to love others simply for who they are. It argues that if this principle cannot be realized within the family, its realization in a broader democratic context is unlikely.
PREVALENCE AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN AGUATA L.G.A.
This study investigated the Prevalence and Perceptions towards Gender-Based Violence Against Women of Reproductive Age in Aguata L.G.A, Anambra state. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study participants were females who are 18 years and above residents of Aguata L.G.A. The sample size was 204 respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the study. The major instruments of data collection used were a questionnaire and an In-Depth interview (IDI) guide. Quantitative data were processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed using percentages and frequency distribution tables. Qualitative data were provided from the transcription of the electronically recorded interview and field notes and analyzed using the manual thematic content analysis technique. Findings indicated amongst others that forms of GBV include: Physical violence, Sexual violence, Female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and forced and early child marriage. It also found some socio-cultural factors affecting GBV such as: Poverty, patriarchy, lack of education/ ignorance, religious beliefs, and growing up in an abusive home. Consequences of GBV include Physical, sexual, and Psychological problems. The study recommends that there is a need for government to increase access to education and employment opportunities for women. The government and every other social institution involved in society should encourage victims of GBV not to die in silence but to speak out to be heard and helped. Furthermore, there is a need for proper socialization of children at the family level in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria.
Ngozi Chinenye Okeke; Ogboke, Eberechukwu Odichinma; Bisiola Ekelechi Okoye; Evelyn Chidera Onwurah
Ruthless Capitalism and Alienation and in Ben Okri’s Stars of the New Curfew
Capitalism, Alienation and lamentation have been thematized in a plethora of African novels. However, Ben Okri has succinctly depicted the themes via careful characterization and narrative technique. That is, the themes of lamentation and alienation have been woven into the tapestry of the narrative such that a dichotomization and evaluation of the aforementioned themes amounts to the explication of the author’s worldview and narrative technique. To this end, this paper explicates the concepts of alienation and lamentation and their manifestation in Okri’s Stars of a New Curfew and concludes that Okri explicitly depicts the chaotic landscape and mindscape of the world of his short story and has graphically portrayed the decay and squalor which characterized life in Lagos in the 80s.Using the tenets of critical realism in the interpretation of the text, it is concluded that the writer succeeds in adumbrating the ills ravaging the slums of Lagos and Nigeria but fails to proffer lasting panacea to the conundrum. Alienation, lamentation, capitalism, critical realism,
Ayodele Anthony Bamidele (PhD); Paul Kennedy Ndubuisi Enesha (PhD)
URBANIZING THE BLACK SPACE AND THE COLONIALITY OF POWER IN RICHARD WRIGHT'S NATIVE SON
Coloniality of power structures racial and spatial hierarchy that characterize modern American urban spaces. This paper examines how Richard Wright’s Native Son depicts Chicago’s Black urban space as a representation of coloniality of power and Black experience from trans-Atlantic slavery. The paper employs Aníbal Quijano’s postcolonial-psychoanalytic theory to examine how racial segregation in the city does not only controls Black people but also fractures Black minds. Focusing on three research objectives, the paper aims to examine: the ghetto as a colonial enclave, how coloniality structures racial and spatial hierarchies, and how Bigger Thomas’s psychic experiences reflect the mental cost of urban coloniality. The findings show that Wright portrays the city as a system that keeps colonial power alive through space, economy, and knowledge, while Bigger’s violence and resistance expose the deep psychological damage it causes. The article, however, brings a new insight to the reading of Native Son by linking slavery and structural oppression with mental trauma, while the text still speaks to racial struggles today.
PHILOSOPHER QUEEN AND PLATO’S JINGOISM OF WOMEN LIBERATION
The woman is a being often enveloped in layers of mystery. She has led men, across time, to question both her nature (ontologically) and her capabilities (functionally). Consequently, the “woman question”—who she is and what she is capable of—has persisted throughout history. Using the philosophical method of analysis, this paper examines Plato’s perspective on this question, with the aim of emphasizing the equality of men and women while drawing attention to the injustice historically faced by women. The scope of the paper covers the nature of the Greek state, its democratic political system, and the condition of women in Athenian society, where unequal treatment consistently favored men. Despite the widespread subjugation of women, Plato advances an argument for radical egalitarianism, maintaining that both men and women should be considered equally capable of becoming philosopher-kings or philosopher-queens. For him, although only a few individuals—whether male or female—attain excellence in virtue, such individuals should be selected to rule, regardless of gender, alongside others who share similar qualities. This argument challenges and transcends social practices grounded in unjust assumptions of male superiority. Consequently, this paper affirms that men and women are fundamentally equal. Philosophers, wherever they are found—whether men or women—should be identified and entrusted with leadership as philosopher-kings or philosopher-queens.
DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS OF NIGERIA-CHINA BILATERAL RELATIONS ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (2015 -2024)
This study examined the dynamics and implications of Nigeria–China bilateral relations on infrastructural development in Nigeria between 2015 and 2024. The research was motivated by the need to address existing gaps in the literature, which tend to emphasize economic benefits while overlooking the structural imbalances, governance challenges, and socio-economic costs associated with Chinese-financed infrastructural projects. Guided by the Liberal Institutionalism theory, the study employed an explanatory research design to analyze texts, documents, and reports using content analysis. The findings revealed that while Chinese investments and technical expertise contributed significantly to Nigeria’s infrastructural growth, they also heightened Nigeria’s dependency risks, deepened external debt exposure, and reinforced reliance on foreign technical capacity. The study further emphasized the importance of strong institutional frameworks in ensuring sustainable engagement and mutual benefit. Consequently, the study recommended that Nigeria should strengthen governance frameworks, improve quality control mechanisms in project execution, and promote institutional accountability to mitigate dependency risks while optimizing the developmental benefits of cooperation with China.
Chibuzor Chigozie NWEKE PhD; Emmanuel Okwuchukwu EZEAMU PhD; Anthony Maduka EMELIFE; Christian Chidi OKEKE, Ph.D
TRANS-BORDER SECURITY CHALLENGES AND NIGERIA’S RELATIONS WITH HER IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURS, 1999–2023
This study investigates the impact of transborder security challenges on Nigeria’s relations with its immediate neighbours—Benin Republic, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon—from 1999 to 2023. The study employs a qualitative analytical method involving content analysis of relevant documentary sources. A thematic approach is adopted to analyze the data. The findings reveal that Nigeria’s border insecurity, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and along the Benin–Niger frontier, has strained bilateral relations, disrupted trade, and undermined regional cooperation within ECOWAS. Although initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and the 2019 border closure policy were designed to address these challenges, they also exposed contradictions between national security imperatives and regional integration commitments. The study concludes that Nigeria’s security challenges are deeply intertwined with the stability of its neighbours, and that sustainable regional peace requires multidimensional strategies combining security cooperation, socio-economic development, and diplomatic engagement.
Ugochukwu O. Kanu, Ph.D; Olua, Ngozi Emea
RESOURCE GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL POWER STRUCTURES: A STUDY OF MINING SECTOR IN TARABA STATE
This paper investigates how resource governance and local power structures interact to shape mining outcomes in Taraba State, Nigeria. Rooted in political economy and resource-governance literature, the study examines how formal institutions (statutory laws, regulatory agencies, and state-level policies) and informal arrangements (traditional authorities, patronage networks, and community-level practices) mediate access to mineral rents, the distribution of benefits, and patterns of environmental and social impact. Using a mixed-methods case-study design, the paper combines both primary and secondary sources of data. The findings show that overlapping and often ambiguous legal jurisdictions, weak enforcement capacity, and the political salience of mining generate bargaining processes in which local power brokers play decisive roles in mediating access, extracting rents, and shaping mitigation practices. These informal mechanisms frequently subvert formal regulatory objectives, producing uneven benefit distribution, recurrent conflict, and gaps in environmental stewardship. By unpacking the micro-level dynamics that connect political settlements to observable mining outcomes, the study contributes empirically grounded policy recommendations aimed at aligning federal and state regulations with local realities. It recommends tailored governance reforms that strengthen accountability, clarify jurisdictional roles, and integrate legitimate local actors into formal regulatory frameworks to enhance equity, transparency, and sustainability in Taraba State’s mining sector.
Manga, Joseph; Nse Akpan, PhD; Tukura, Nashuka Tino, PhD
THE AFRICAN DIASPORA OF ENSLAVEMENT AND GREENER PASTURES: THE EMERGENCE OF AFRICA’S SIXTH REGION
This paper examines the African Diaspora of enslavement and greener pastures: The emergence of Africa's sixth region. This paper explores the experiences of Africans during their Diaspora of enslavement. It also examines the Diaspora of greener pastures, emphasizing that economic instabilities and the quest for better economic prospect inspired such migrations even in the midst of obvious risk and uncertain future. In the same vein, it stresses on the opportunities and benefits that these Diaspora have given the people of Africa and the continent. It reveals the contribution that African Diaspora both to the world and the African continent. The paper used the historical method of qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources. The finding of the paper revealed that although Africans faced numerous challenges, individuals of African descent may still find themselves ensnared in contemporary forms of enslavement, particularly through the pervasive issue of human trafficking. Furthermore, it also showed that the African Diaspora has significantly enhanced the living conditions of Africans, both on the continent and in communities outside of Africa. And that economic impact is the fundamental rationale behind the establishment of the sixth region, termed the African Diaspora, by the African Union (AU). Ultimately, the paper concludes that the African Diaspora serves as a crucial asset to the people of Africa.
PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF IGBO-BASED ONITSHA SLANG: A STUDY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTERPRETATION
What happens when artificial intelligence (AI) meets Igbo-based Onitsha slang? This study explores the pragmatic functions of Igbo-based Onitsha slang and how artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT interpret their meanings. Drawing on the relevance theory and the speech act theory as its theoretical frameworks, the study analyses the intention, the context and the implicature across human and machine understanding. A qualitative research design was adopted, and forty slang expressions were sourced from a public post on Facebook, which featured contemporary Onitsha slang. The analysis was presented in a tabular form to highlight the contextual interpretation, the pragmatic functions, AI-generated interpretations, the researcher’s interpretation, and points of convergence and divergence between human and AI understanding. Findings reveal that while AI systems can process literal meanings, they often lack the capacity to grasp deeper cultural and contextual nuances that are characteristic of human inference. This underscores the need for context-sensitive and culturally informed AI models. The study offers a new insight into the intersection of African sociolinguistics and emerging AI discourse by demonstrating how AI’s misinterpretation of Igbo-based Onitsha slang exposes the limitations of algorithms predominantly trained on Western linguistic data. It therefore foregrounds the urgency of developing AI systems aligned with African linguistic creativity and cultural expression.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR ADVANCING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA
This study examined industrial development strategies for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, focusing on the effects of manufacturing value-added, infrastructure development, and technology and innovation adoption on national SDG attainment. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and employed a closed-ended, structured questionnaires distributed to 175 respondents comprising managers and directors of manufacturing firms as well as relevant government and agency officials. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, percentages) and regression analysis to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings revealed that manufacturing value-added significantly influenced SDG advancement, with regression results showing a beta coefficient of 0.742 (p = 0.000), indicating that increases in industrial output strongly predicted improvements in economic growth, employment, and poverty-reduction indicators. Similarly, infrastructure development demonstrated a strong positive effect on SDG progress, with Beta = 0.768 (p = 0.000) and R² = 0.590, confirming that reliable electricity, transport networks, and industrial facilities enhanced productivity and investment. Furthermore, technology and innovation adoption exhibited a substantial positive impact on SDG attainment, with Beta = 0.786 (p = 0.000) and R² = 0.618, suggesting that modernization, innovation, and digital solutions improved efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across sectors. The study concluded that the integration of manufacturing growth, infrastructural improvements, and technological innovation is critical for accelerating Nigeria’s progress toward the SDGs. Policy implications include the need for targeted industrial incentives, strategic infrastructural investment, and the promotion of technology adoption to strengthen economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
JURGEN HABERMAS’ CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATIVE RATIONALITY AS A SOLUTION TO ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY IN NIGERIA’S SOCIO-POLITICAL MILIEU
Nigeria as a country is ravaged by the tension and crises engendered by ethnic and religious bigotry. This reality manifests in various forms of ethno-religious conflicts experienced across the nation. Many thinkers who seek solutions to Nigeria’s predicaments usually emphasize the best system of government to adopt, the best economic structure to implement, or the best leadership style to apply. Arguably, these thinkers do not lay enough emphasis on the key role of rational communication in attaining understanding and consensus among the diverse peoples and ethnic groups in Nigeria. Using the method of phenomenological exposition and philosophical analysis, this paper argues that Jürgen Habermas’ idea of communicative rationality offers a rational framework through which individuals—irrespective of ethnic or religious differences—can reach understanding and consensus without resorting to violent conflicts or destructive revolution. Habermas’ communicative rationality is a form of communication geared toward achieving, sustaining, and reviewing consensus based on validity claims that are open to intersubjective recognition and criticism. It is a process through which different validity claims are brought to satisfactory resolution under an “ideal speech situation,” which allows individuals the freedom to express their views and make rational arguments without fear, coercion, or intimidation. In other words, Habermasian communicative rationality points the way to peaceful coexistence among the peoples of Nigeria, a necessary condition for the country’s social and economic development. The contributions of this paper include the revival of academic discourse within the epistemic community with emphasis on the essential role of rational communication in achieving peaceful coexistence; the promotion of a culture of communicative rationality among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria; and the institutionalization of rational communication across diverse spheres of interaction—including politics, the economy, religion, culture, and academia.
Kelechi Collins AMADI; Ifechukwu NDIANEFOO (PhD)
HIGHLIGHTING THE RELEVANCE OF KARL POPPER'S FALISIFICATION THEORY IN NIGERIA'S SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT
Karl Popper’s falsification theory postulates that the advancement of scientific knowledge occurs through conjectures and refutations, whereby hypotheses are subjected to rigorous testing with the aim of falsification. This paper adopts the method of philosophical analysis to examine the relevance of Popper’s falsification theory within Nigeria’s scientific environment, particularly by emphasizing the need for scientific inquiry and progress. The application of Popper’s theory in Nigeria’s research culture would nurture and enhance the quality of scientific output by provoking critical thinking and promoting a culture of philosophical skepticism. This paper argues that incorporating Popper’s falsification theory can help to revolutionize the scientific landscape of Nigeria. It therefore recommends that researchers and educators in Nigeria embrace Popper’s falsification framework as a means to foster scientific progress and, by extension, national development.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENGLISH/IGBO SYLLABIC STRUCTURES
Igbo native speakers who learn English as a second language (L2) most of the time encounter perennial difficulties in mastering the syllabic structure, stress pattern and correctly articulating the English lexical words, and the syntactical structures. Research has shown that these difficulties are as a result of the differences between the phonological structures of the English language (L1) and the Igbo language (L2) which, in turn, affects the L2 learner’s communicative competence in the English language. A comparative study of a language investigates two or more languages in order to compare their structures or other linguistic features, to show whether they are similar or different. This paper, therefore, examines the syllabic structures of the two languages, English and Igbo respectively. It also assesses stress/tonal patterning in lexical words and connected speech. Contrastive Analysis theory by Robert Lado (1957) and CV phonology by Kahn (1980) were adopted for the work.
IRREVERSIBLE BINOMIALS AND MEANING IMPLICATION IN IGBO LANGUAGE: SEMANTIC ANALYSIS
Over the years, people have used language to communicate various intentions, especially native speakers of a particular language. The way people use language in different social situations gives rise to different meanings, which can be described as context. This context affects communication in several ways, particularly in the area of meaning, which forms the basis of this research paper titled “Irreversible Binomials and Meaning Implication in the Igbo Language: A Semantic Analysis.” The Igbo language contains binomials with meanings that reflect the social and cultural life of its speakers. Accordingly, the first objective of this study is to explain binomials and their different types, while the second objective is to analyze the varieties of binomials in the Igbo language with regard to their contexts of usage. This study adopts the Lexical Theory of Meaning as its theoretical framework and employs the descriptive research method. Data for the study were collected from the everyday conversations of speakers from Umuoji, Nkpor, Obosi, and Onitsha. Additional data were obtained through personal interviews with speakers from these communities, as well as from semantic contexts such as affinity (e.g., ji na mmanụ), personal or intimate relationships (e.g., di na nwunye, nne na nwa), and from previous studies including Agbo (2016:33–42) and Madueke (2020). The findings reveal that binomials are expressions consisting of two words joined by a conjunction. Secondly, there are two types of binomials: reversible and irreversible. Thirdly, binomials can be grouped into different categories based on context, such as negation and affirmation, completeness or totality, enmity, and intimate relationship contexts. This work is expected to be of significance to linguists and scholars seeking to expand the scope of semantic studies in the Igbo language.
Okafor Ogechukwu Cynthia; Ofoegbu, Cyril Okechukwu, Ph.D
LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF SOME SELECTED GEN Z EXPRESSIONS
This paper investigates the lexical and semantic characteristics of selected Gen Z expressions as used in contemporary digital and face-to-face communication. Drawing from samples collected across social media platforms (TikTok, X, Instagram) and in-person interactions, the study examines some selected widely used expressions by Generation Z. Using the sociolinguistics Theory of Youth Language Innovation which sees linguistic creativity not as a decline in standards but as a natural site of language evolution, deeply tied to social identity, technological change, and cultural expression. More so, a lexico-semantic framework was used in the analysis of data. It considers the forms, meanings, and semantic shifts of each expression. It can be concluded that these expressions demonstrate language change in progress, shaped by technological mediation and cultural hybridity.
Psalm 91 is among the most evocative texts in the Hebrew Bible, often celebrated for its promise of divine protection, comfort, and security in times of adversity. Using qualitative textual analysis, this article demonstrates how the psalm employs lexical contrasts and overlaps to emphasize divine refuge in the face of human vulnerability. The study investigates the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV) of Psalm 91 through the lens of lexical semantics, specifically applying Semantic Field Theory (SFT). Semantic Field Theory posits that lexical items derive meaning not in isolation but through their systematic relationships with other words within the same conceptual domain. By grouping the lexical items of Psalm 91 into the semantic fields of protection, danger, and deliverance, the study reveals how these fields interact to construct a unified theological message. The findings show that meaning in Psalm 91 emerges not from individual terms but from the dynamic interplay of words across fields, thereby offering a deeper understanding of its theological and poetic force. The study further demonstrates the usefulness of Semantic Field Theory in biblical scholarship by showing how groups of related lexical items create textual unity, deepen theological significance, and sustain the psalm’s lasting importance across both historical and modern contexts.
LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF PETER DRURY'S FAMOUS FOOTBALL COMMENTARIES
Language is used only by human beings for communication. Since these human beings consist of different groups characterized by the frequent use of different linguistic behaviors and other extra-linguistic norms that guide their social interaction, it is normal and expected that variation exists in their use of language across different situations. This research paper examines the various novel words and expressions used in sports discourse and their meanings in their contexts of usage. Specifically, corpus data were selected from the famous football commentaries of the British sports commentator Peter Drury, covering the period from 2010 to 2023. The data were analyzed with attention to the meanings embedded in each of the lexicons and expressions, as they relate to the referential theory of meaning. Lexical innovations are categorized on the basis of their peculiar references and patterns, while the semantic significance of such formations is examined in terms of their semantic properties (lexical semantics). We observe a careful manipulation of lexical properties to portray a person or an action at the figurative or metaphoric level of meaning. More importantly, the study acknowledges the fact that the football aura and environment have the potential to weave into the English language an identity that is unique and capable of enhancing the development of sports discourse.
Maduekwe Hypolite Chisom; Ofoegbu, Cyril Okechukwu, Ph.D
METONYMY AND MEANING IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH: A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS
This study explores the semantic dimensions of metonymy in Nigerian English, examining its dominant forms, domains of use, and communicative functions. Anchored in the Referential Theory of Meaning, the research analyzes twenty-five metonymic expressions drawn from Nigerian media discourse and everyday conversations. The analysis identifies five major metonymic patterns—place-for-institution, object-for-role, body-part-for person, process-for-outcome, and person-for-action—with the first two occurring most frequently. Findings reveal that metonymy functions as a pervasive semantic strategy in Nigerian English, performing key roles in linguistic economy, cultural expression, and rhetorical persuasion. By relying on shared sociocultural knowledge, metonymy enables speakers to encode authority, identity, and ideology succinctly. The study concludes that metonymy is not merely a stylistic ornament but a cognitive and cultural mechanism that reflects how Nigerians conceptualize and communicate social realities.
A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF PLACE NAMES IN ABA METROPOLIS, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
This study investigates the semantics of selected areas in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria, using linguistic data drawn from twenty (20) geographical locations. The research explores how place names (toponyms) and their semantic associations reflect the historical, cultural, and socio-economic realities of the city. Data were collected from areas such as Ariaria International Market, Asa Road, Ngwa Road, Faulks Road, Azikiwe Road, Aba–Owerri Road, Umungasi, Ogbor Hill, Abayi, Osisioma, Umule, Aba North, Aba South, Eziukwu, Ohanku, Obohia, Opobo Road, Park Road, Uratta, and Cemetery Road. Through qualitative semantic analysis, the study identifies patterns of meaning embedded in these toponyms, including references to commerce, geography, clan identity, and colonial heritage. The findings reveal that place names in Aba are not arbitrary; rather, they encapsulate historical memory, indigenous identity, and the economic character of the metropolis. This study contributes to the fields of semantics and sociolinguistics by demonstrating how urban toponyms function as markers of meaning, identity, and cultural continuity in Nigeria.
RADICAL NATIONALISM IN NIGERIA, 1945-1960
This study explores the emergence and trajectory of radical nationalism in Nigeria between 1945 and 1960, a period marked by intense anticolonial agitation and sociopolitical transformation. Drawing on archival records, a theoretical framework which allows for a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political dynamics that shaped Nigerian nationalism during this period, party manifestos, and contemporary accounts, the study traces how a new generation of nationalist leaders—including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Aminu Kano— challenged both colonial authority and earlier, more moderate nationalist strategies. The research argues that radical nationalist organizations and labour unions, influenced by global currents of decolonization and leftist thought, pressed for immediate self-government and mass political participation. It examines pivotal moments such as the 1945 general strike, the Zikist Movement’s radical activism, and the formation of regionally rooted parties driven by the principle of self-determination. By situating Nigerian radical nationalism within broader pan African and Cold War contexts, the study shows how internal debates about ethnicity, class, and political strategy shaped the road to independence in 1960. Ultimately, the study contends that while radical nationalists played a central role in ending colonial rule, their vision and practice left complex legacies for postcolonial Nigerian politics.
PRINCIPALS’ FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AS PREDICTORS OF EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study examined principals’ financial management practices as predictors of effective administration of public secondary schools in Anambra State. Three research questions guided the study and three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 267 principals in 267 public secondary schools in Anambra State. Census sampling procedure was adopted for the study. The instruments for data collection were two sets of questionnaires structured by the researchers titled; Principals’ Financial Management Practices Questionnaire (PFMPQ)” and Effective Administration Questionnaire (EAQ)’’. The face validity of the instruments was established by three experts. The construct validity of the instruments was established using Principal Component Analysis approach. Cronbach Alpha procedure was used to determine the internal consistency of the instruments. Simple regression was used to answer the research questions and test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of this study showed that budgeting, revenue generation and financial record keeping were significant factors for predicting principals’ effective administration of public secondary schools in Anambra State. It was recommended among others that principals should ensure that school fund are managed properly but within the stipulated budget, they should look for ways of generating revenue for the school to argument the fund from the government.
OHAMOBI, IFUNANYA NKECHI; UMENWEKE, EBERE CHINWENDU; ONYEKAZI, PEARL IFEOMA
LA PROSTITUTION DANS CÉLANIRE COU-COUPÉ DE MARYSE CONDÉ: LEÇONS POUR LE NIGÉRIA
This paper, though rooted in literature, reflects a translated critical analysis of the occurrence of the theme of Prostitution in Maryse Conde’s Célanire cou coupé, exposing the lessons it holds for Nigeria. The original text is studied in French, translated entirely behind the scene into English, and the implications of the process are reported alongside other details of the present study in French. Through the translation process, the study offers us, its authors, the apparently camouflaged benefit of exploring the linguistic, cultural and stylistic challenges of the translation of the features of the delicate theme of Prostitution from the source language to the target language. By analyzing the key passages related to the theme, it highlights how literature can, through translation, influence the understanding of complex social issues, such as the marginalization and exploitation of women. The paper equally interrogates the role of translated literature in creating awareness about universal problems, taking into account cultural specificities of each context. Finally, it draws lessons from Conde’s work to tackle similar challenges in Nigeria’s socio-cultural context, as its thrust.
NKWOCHA, MARVELLOUS E.; IWUNZE, EMEKA I.; OKEKE, J. KA-ANAYO
DRIVERS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN NIGERIA
The private sector is a major contributor to national income, serving as a key driver of job creation and the delivery of essential goods and services. However, the sector has yet to reach its full potential in Nigeria. This study investigates the key drivers of international trade to assess their impact on private sector growth in Nigeria. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique was employed for the analysis. Secondary data spanning the period from 1981 to 2021 were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) annual reports, and the World Bank Databank. The findings revealed that export trade has a positive and significant impact on private sector investment in Nigeria, while import trade exerts a negative but significant impact. Conversely, research and development, as well as the human capital index, were found to have no significant impact on private sector investment. The study recommends that the Nigerian government should fully embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance its export capacity and strengthen intra-African trade competitiveness.
Uzoechina, Benedict Ikemefuna; Okeyika, Okezie Kenechukwu; Okafor, Leticia Obioma; Ozulumba John Ifeanyi; Ekwoh, Geraldine Amaka