The study evaluated 33 accessions of groundnut in the field, consisting of 23 landraces from Nasarawa communities in Nigeria and 10 inbred lines. Assessment entailed the determination of plant survivorship, yield related parameters and pathological indices while genetic diversity study was undertaken using SSR and RAPD molecular markers. Data analysis was done on the Minitab 17.0 software. Significant variability was noted in all traits except in pod sizes, seed sizes and % infected seeds. About 33.3% of the accessions had a survival rate of ≥ 70.0% where 9/10 Inbred lines were found with overall yield (kg/ha) ranging from 4.0 ± 1.6 in Akwashiki-Doma to 516.8 ± 46.9 kg/ha in Samnut 24 × ICGV–91328. Five accessions (15.5%) had pathological indices of zero indicating no traces of any disease of any type and they included one landrace called Agric-Dazhogwa and four Inbred lines: Samnut 25 × ICGV–91317, Samnut 26 × ICGV–19324, Samnut 26 × ICGV–91328 and Samnut 26 × ICGV–91319. Coefficients of yield determination R2 by survivorship and pathological index were 50.6% and 15%, respectively. A fit model was established (Yield in kg/ha = –146 − 7.94 × Pi + 5.88 × S). Susceptibility to diseases depends on the type of variety (χ2(32) = 127.67, P = 0.00). Yield was significantly affected by BNR@30 (F = 5.47, P = 0.025, P < 0.05) and DSV@60*RUST@60 interaction effect (F = 4.39, P = 0.044, P < 0.05). The similarity coefficient ranged from 28.57 to 100 in plant morphology. Four varieties had no amplified bands with SSR primers whereas amplified bands were present only in four landraces accessions using the RAPD primer. The dendrogram generated by molecular data gave three groups where genetic similarity ranged from 41.4 to 100.0. The Inbred lines were noted for their high survivorship, good yield and disease resistance. Samnut 24 × ICGV–91328, an inbred line, had the highest yield but was susceptible to diseases. Among the landraces, Agric-Musha, Bomboyi-Dugu and Agric-Dazhogwa were selected for high survivorship and disease resistance. The selected inbred lines and landraces are valuable genetic resources that may harbour useful traits for breeding and they should be presented to the growers based on their unique agronomic values. The highest yielding inbred lines should be improved for resistance to late leaf spot diseases while the outstanding landraces should be improved for yield.

This work centres on the contribution of the Nigerian government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programmes on rice production in the country. This study employs quantitative methodology and with a primary objective to dissect the efficacy of modern farming techniques facilitated by the Anchor Borrowers’ Programmes (ABP), evaluates the advantages and disadvantages inherent in rice production under this programme. Conducted within the agricultural landscape of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, this study adopts a cross-sectional survey approach to gauge the symbiotic relationship between rice production and the ABP. Targeting a cohort of rice smallholder farmers who have directly benefited from the program, the work employs stratified random sampling and purposeful selection techniques to guarantee comprehensive representation within a population of 400 respondents. This study utilizes the mixed-methods approach to data collection, including structured questionnaires administered to rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This research tests hypotheses by utilising statistical tools such as regression analysis. The outcome of this study underscores the imperative for continued support and refinement of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. Moreover, it elucidates the pivotal role of financial institutions and agricultural lending agencies in equipping farmers with the requisite skills and resources. Ultimately, this study affirms the crucial role of modern farming methodologies in propelling rice production within Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It recommends that young school leavers, especially those in the rural areas should also be encouraged to venture into agriculture through schemes such as the ABP, bank financing and innovative financing so as to help the Federal Government achieve its economic diversification drive.

The urban solid waste (USW) emanating from the increasing urbanisation calls for concern. Integrating cart pushers into the private sector participation (PSP) may bridge the lacuna in sub-urban planning and PSP truck inefficiencies, especially in developing countries. There is a paucity of studies concerning cart pushers’ role in sub-urban and issues hindering them from achieving Sustainable Development Goals (1 and 11) in developing countries. Thus, the study seeks to appraise cart pushers’ role in Nigeria’s sub- and urban areas, investigate their challenges, and propose measures to improve the achievement of the Goals by integrating them into PSP waste management systems. The researchers utilised a qualitative approach using face-to-face interviews and observation. The study covered seven of Nigeria’s major cities, including Lagos, Kano, and Abuja. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted. The participants include selected waste managers, NGOs in waste-related matters, cart pushers, legislators, households, environment and housing experts, and solid waste government agencies/regulators. The researchers adopted a thematic approach to analyse the collected data and presented it in a theme pattern. Findings reveal that despite the significance of cart pushers to the three pillars of sustainable development, including stimulating support for potential employment creation and sustainable cities and communities in Nigeria, they face challenges in their daily operation. The study proposed a revised USWM policy, where the informal waste sector should be embraced and recognised with specific rules and regulations. This is germane to improve achieving SDGs 1 and 11. This study holds significant implications for USWM policymakers and other stakeholders in embracing and integrating cart pushers into the formal waste collection process supported by statutory regulations to enhance practice. Also, this concept will increase employment opportunities and improve achieving Goals 1 and 11 in Nigeria.

Agricultural productivity has remained central to the gross domestic product (GDP) in Nigeria for several decades. However, the decline in the agricultural sector after the discovery of oil and gas resources is a serious challenge. The government has initiated several policies to rejuvenate agricultural productivity. Little attention has been given to the exploration of policy implementation for fish farming and aquaculture as an integral part of agribusiness in the country. The World Bank asserts that the yearly demand for fish is 3.4 million metric tons (i.e., 40%) is locally produced and the remaining 60% is supplied through importation of fish. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to re-assess policy implementation to explore and expand the potential of fish farming in Nigeria to address abject poverty and high unemployment rates. This can be achieved when a shift of attention is given to small- and medium-scale businesses, and consequentially achieve sustainable agribusiness and socio-economic development in the country. This study used library-based research and content analysis as its methodology, wherein secondary data were used to review different aspects that can foster fish farming in the country. The findings from the content analysis of the study demonstrated that in order to achieve domestic production and stop the importation of fish, there is a need for the establishment of nothing less than 400,000 fish farming across the country. The paper highlighted various types and techniques for breeding, rearing, and harvesting fish by strengthening their effectiveness and efficiency. This study emphasized the vital importance of technology, such as reliable energy facilities, solar energy, and solar irrigation, in reducing the cost of diesel in powering generators to maximize fish investment. The limitations of this study are highlighted, and SWOT analysis (i.e., strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) in fish farming is elaborated. It is suggested that the implementation of policies to support farmers in general and fish farmers in particular, such as the provision of credit loans and other fish feeds for sustainable agribusiness and socio-economic development, occupies a central climax of this research.

Low-cost housing homeownership funding for junior staffers is challenging in private sector organisations, especially in developing countries. Motivating private sector investment in junior staffers’ homeownership via a developed expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR) may promote achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11). Therefore, the study investigates the role of the ECSR framework in improving Nigeria’s private sector junior staffers’ homeownership and achieving SDG 11. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with selected participants in six of Nigeria’s geo-political zones. The study adopted thematic analysis to analyse the collected data. Six variables emerged from the 18 re-clustered sub-variables. This includes institutionalising ECSR in low-income homeownership, housing finance for junior staffers’ homeownership, and housing incentives and stakeholders’ participation for low-income earners. The research employed six variables and 18 sub-variables to develop the improved private sector’s junior staffers’ homeownership via ECSR and achieving SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and their targets. The research presents a novel approach by attempting to integrate SDG 11 with Corporate Social Housing, an extension of corporate social responsibility, especially to align the SDGs with evolving perspectives on Expanded Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Civil Service faces ongoing challenges in optimizing employee commitment, which is fundamental for efficient service delivery and societal progress. Hence, this paper focuses on the mediating effect of job satisfaction on talent engagement and employee commitment in the Nigerian Civil Service. The study adopted a quantitative approach, which allowed for a survey design to be adopted. A sample of 198 middle- and lower-level managers in the civil service was used. Questionnaires were used for data collection, and SmartPls 3.9 was used for data analysis. The result showed that talent engagement significantly predicts employee commitment and that job satisfaction is a good mediator in the relationship between talent engagement and employee commitment in the Nigerian Civil Service. The findings suggest that creating an engaged workforce through talent engagement can have a positive influence on employee commitment within the public sector, which can result in improved public services and contribute to overall societal development.