IMPACT OF COUNSELLING APPROACHES ON SKILL ACQUISITION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated impact of counselling approaches on skill acquisition of secondary school adolescents in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey design was employed. Population of the study was 7,854 students from 22 Government Grant-Aided secondary schools in Makurdi Local Government Area. A sample size of 200 students was used for the study. The data were collected through researchers-structured questionnaire titled’ Counselling Approaches and Skill Acquisition Questionnaire’ (CASAQ). The reliability co-efficient of .87 was obtained. Mean and standard deviation were utilized to answer the research questions, while chi-square statistics was employed to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy has significant impact on skill acquisition of secondary school adolescents in Makurdi Local Government Area. The study concluded that counselling approaches has impact among secondary school adolescents in Makurdi Local Government of Benue State. It was recommended that teachers and counsellors should work with students to set specific, achievable academic goals (e.g., improving in a particular subject) using CBT’s goal-oriented framework, counsellors should use PCT techniques in one-on-one sessions, actively listening and reflecting students’ feelings to build psychological safety and teachers and counsellors should work together to integrate these therapeutic approaches into both classroom and counseling settings, ensuring consistency in supporting students’ skill acquisition.

THE TRANSITION OF PETRO-ECONOMY TO POWER EQUITY: DECENTRALIZED ENERGY AND REGULATORY REFORMS IN URBAN NIGER DELTA

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria, historically dependent on oil and gas revenues, is facing a critical juncture in its energy and economic trajectory. The global push for decarbonization, alongside local demands for environmental justice, necessitates a transition from the existing petro-economy toward a more equitable, decentralized, and sustainable energy system. This paper explores the implications, opportunities, and challenges of transitioning to decentralized energy systems within the urban Niger Delta, emphasizing regulatory reforms and community equity. Drawing on a multi-disciplinary literature base, including policy reviews, case studies of solar microgrids, and socioeconomic analyses of mini-grid impacts, the study critically evaluates how distributed renewable technologies—such as solar PV and hybrid systems—can address energy poverty, reduce carbon footprints, and drive local content development. It highlights the role of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), evolving federal energy laws, and state-level energy autonomy in enabling or hindering reform. Special attention is paid to the environmental degradation caused by oil extraction, the socioeconomic disparities embedded in the region, and the potential for green growth through job creation and inclusive planning. The paper also incorporates voices from local communities to center justice, ownership, and empowerment in the transition. This research underscores the need for coherent policy alignment, robust regulatory frameworks, and community-centered approaches to facilitate a just transition from extractive to regenerative energy systems in the Niger Delta.

IMPERATIVE OF USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO FACILITATE LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Reliance on the traditional teaching and learning practices by most Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria, especially in the areas of language, arts and humanities, constitute an obstacle to the attainment of the objectives of the institutions. This practice is not only time consuming, slow in yielding desired results, but also very expensive as much money is required in buying learning resources. The emergence of artificial intelligence might have brought succor to both teachers and learners in this regard. Relying on the versatility and capability of AI therefore, this paper explores the use of AI in facilitating Language Education in Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria. The methodology that the paper adopts is the exploration of the literature. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) is used to underpin the study. The paper finds that AI can facilitate Language Education in the areas of speaking and reading, writing and grammatical constructions, and pedagogy. The paper also found some associated challenges to include AI biases, black box problem, legal concerns, negative perceptions, and tool for disinformation among others. The paper concludes that the adoption of AI in language education is one good decision that can reshape the future of the discipline and recommends among others, the need for guardrails to ensure the appropriate use and implementation of AI across the society, specifically in language education.

TAILORED VIRTUAL WORK CULTURE CURRICULUM DESIGN FOR ENHANCED TRAINEE PRODUCTIVITY AND GLOBAL EMPLOYABILITY SCHEME

The research on higher education generally agrees that inclusive and equitable teaching and learning strategies are necessary. The concept of inclusiveness seems to be overlooked in the context of Electronic Work Integrated Learning (eWIL). This research proposes a framework for the creation of a eWIL curriculum by utilizing insights from multidisciplinary theories. Among its salient characteristics are a purposeful, inclusive strategy that unifies the teaching method (the “how”) and content field (the “what”) of technology-assisted delivery or teaching. Anticipating and adapting to the varied backgrounds, skills, goals, and requirements of students and principal partners the academics and employers are the framework’s main concerns. The results of both “hard” and “soft” outcomes like student employability and involvement or inclusion in the actual job while still on training are part of the curriculum. The framework identifies specific challenges that students have when engaging in electronically mediated activities and learning. Employers may also face difficulties as they develop new strategies for operating in a digitized workplace. A solution is proposed in anticipation of certain conflicts in putting the envisaged eWIL curriculum into effect. All things considered, the eWIL framework provides a comprehensive strategy for the active discussion, execution, and assessment of eWIL initiatives. This is an important topic to think about now that remote employment and online learning have become so prevalent during and after COVID-19.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION ON VOTERS’ AWARENESS AND THE REDUCTION OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the impact of Social Studies education on voters’ awareness and the reduction of electoral malpractices in Taraba State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and focused on a population of 1,935 public secondary school teachers and administrators. A sample size of 350 respondents, comprising 300 teachers and 50 administrators, was selected using a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire served as the primary instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts and subjected to a reliability test, yielding a coefficient of 0.85. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviations, while chi-square was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that Social Studies education significantly enhances voters’ awareness and plays a crucial role in reducing electoral malpractices. The results showed strong agreement among respondents on the role of Social Studies in promoting civic knowledge, ethical voting behavior, and rejection of electoral misconduct. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Social Studies be strengthened in school curricula and that civic and electoral values be emphasized in classroom teaching. The study concluded that Social Studies education is a vital tool for nurturing informed and responsible citizens, thereby contributing to credible electoral processes and democratic development in Nigeria.