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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of leadership style (LS) on employee commitment (EC) in university libraries in South-West, Nigeria.

The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 684 librarians from 43 universities in the six states of South-West, Nigeria. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings showed that the level of EC in university libraries in South-West, Nigeria was fairly high (M=2.64 on a four-point scale). LS had a significant influence on EC in university libraries in South-West, Nigeria (β=0.245, R²=0.276, p<0.05). However, transformational LS (β=0.383, p<0.05) relatively contributed more to EC than transactional LS (β=0.183, p<0.05).

A limitation of the study was that the study was done in all the university libraries in South-Western region of Nigeria which may affect the inference of the study results to other university libraries outside this region.

The findings of the study will be of benefit to academic institutions, library management and librarians on planning and decision making regarding personnel management.

The study therefore recommends that administrators, library managers should adopt transformational LS.

Undergraduates use electronic library resources for academic activities. However, literature has revealed that undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources is low in Nigeria owing to attitude, computer literacy and information retrieval skills, while little attention was given to computer self-efficacy. This paper aims to examine computer self-efficacy as a predictor of undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria.

The descriptive survey research design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select 1,526 undergraduates from the population size of 30,516 from six federal universities in south-west Nigeria in four faculties (Arts, Engineering/ Technology, Science and Social sciences) and three departments from each of the faculties (English, History and Philosophy; Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering: Economics, Sociology and Psychology). Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, hierarchical and regression analyses at 0.05 level of significance.

There was a significant relationship between computer self-efficacy and use of electronic library resources (r = 0.13, p < 0.05). The result of the analysis showed that computer self-efficacy influenced undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria.

The data for the research were obtained from undergraduates in the selected faculties in the six federal universities except for two faculties which did not have some departments that were common to the selected faculties.

The findings indicated that computer self-efficacy improves the use of electronic library resources for academic purposes. It therefore encourages the library management to provide the necessary support and training for the undergraduates to acquire the technical skills required for the acquisition of computer self-efficacy. This has greater influence on undergraduates’ ability to use the computer maximally to access electronic library resources for academic purposes.

It will improve the undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources for academic purposes. This implies that the undergraduates will have access to information around the world that could be useful for development in and around their locality which will become easily accessible. Also, in this era of computer, it will encourage reading culture among undergraduates. This could inform policymakers on the need to provide more electronic library resources for libraries.

The study provides original data on computer self-efficacy as a predictor of undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria. This can provide valuable indicator for library managements considering enhanced utilisation of electronic library resources.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the composite influence of perceived work relationship, work load and physical work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians in South-West, Nigeria.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire, and a total of 102 academic librarians responded to the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

The results indicate that there is a significant linear relationship among work relationship, workload, work environment and job satisfaction. Among the variables examined, workload is not a statistically significant predictor of the job satisfaction of librarians, but work relationship and work environment have a statistically significant relative effect on the job satisfaction of librarians.

Further studies should evaluate the causal link between work relationships, work load and work environment on job satisfaction using randomized control.

The important result in this study is that there is a significant linear relationship among work relationship, workload, work environment and job satisfaction; therefore, if these factors are adequately taken care of, there will be increased employee motivation, reduced staff turnover and increased job satisfaction among librarians in Nigerian universities. The university library management could take advantage of workshops and seminars on how to build and maintain work relationship and work environment (hygiene factors) to improve employees’ job satisfaction. The seminars and workshop will increase the knowledge of university library management on how to develop coherent friendly co-workers policy practices and workload policy practices to enhance the job satisfaction of librarians in public universities in Nigeria. Librarians should be assigned tasks that are moderately demanding because both overload and under load could lead to job dissatisfaction. Regarding research, this study offered a basis for a continuing debate on work relationship, organizational relationships, work environment, work load and job satisfaction.

Despite the growing global concern for workers well-being in organizations, not much attention has been given to the influence of workplace relationship, work load and work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians in Nigeria. Thus, the results of this research contribute to the body of knowledge regarding job satisfaction among librarians and provide significant evidence on the influence of work relationship, work load and work environment on the job satisfaction of librarians.

This study aims to investigate the degree and frequency of utilisation of information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled platforms for knowledge-sharing by academic librarians in south-west Nigeria. It also seeks to identify possible barriers as well as strategies that will promote efficient utilisation of these platforms.

This study adopted a descriptive survey design, using a researcher-developed questionnaire for data collection. Fifty-two professional librarians from selected academic libraries in south-west Nigeria were surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Finding from the investigation revealed that academic librarians in south-west Nigeria are increasingly utilising ICT platforms for knowledge-sharing in preference to the traditional platforms. However, ignorance of existing ICT knowledge-sharing platforms, limited ICT skills and an unhealthy technology environment remain major challenges.

The findings of this study have far-reaching implications for Nigerian academic librarians’ professional development. It advocates maximum utilisation of ICT platforms to enhance knowledge-sharing and collaboration for professional development, scholarly communication and efficient service delivery.

The study examined the applicability of TAM2 theoretical constructs of social influence and cognitive instrumental factors vis-à-vis the facilitation of perceived usefulness of electronic resources among library personnel in private universities in South-west Nigeria.

Descriptive research design of correlational type alongside the single-stage random sampling technique were used to select 212 respondents from a population size of 259 library personnel across the 21 private universities in South-west Nigeria. The instrument used to elicit data was the questionnaire. Of the 212 copies of the questionnaire administered, 181 (85.4 per cent) were found valid for analysis.

Social influence and cognitive instrumental factors significantly had relationship with and facilitated perceived usefulness of electronic resources. Similarly, the study revealed that cognitive instrumental factors are stronger facilitators of perceived usefulness of electronic resources than social influence factors among library personnel in private universities in South-west, Nigeria.

Implementation of electronic resources without ascertaining library personnel usefulness perception leads to resource underutilisation and wastage. Management of private university libraries should, therefore, take into cognisance the usefulness perception of library personnel before the implementation of electronic resources for optimum utilisation.

There is no known research endeavour within the Nigerian context that examined perceived usefulness of electronic resources among library personnel in the private university domain, using the additional theoretical constructs of TAM2 as our research model suggests. This study is, therefore, a pioneering effort towards ascertaining library personnel’s perceived usefulness of electronic resources prior acceptance and use in private university libraries.

The quality of teaching, research and community service of lecturers coupled with their publication in any university system may depend on the quality of the electronic database they use. Electronic database awareness use is very important to the teaching, research and community service activities of lecturers in the Nigerian university system. It has been established that lack of awareness is the main factor militating against effective use of electronic databases. The study aims to investigate awareness and use of electronic databases as determinants of research productivity of academic staff in private universities in South-West Nigeria.

The descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was adopted. Out of the 27 private universities established and approved between 1999 and 2012 in South-West Nigeria, 21 were purposively covered in the study. The stratified random sampling technique based on probability proportionate to size method was adopted in selecting 1,656 (60 per cent) academic staff from the population size of 2,760. The main research instrument used to collect data for the study was questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s rank was used to test hypothesis at 0.05 level of confidence.

There was a significant positive correlation between awareness and utilisation of electronic databases (r = 0.690; p < 0.05).The result of the analysis showed that there was average level of awareness of electronic databases among academic staff in private universities in South-West, Nigeria.

The study selected 21 out of the 27 private universities established and approved between 1999 and 2012 in South-West, Nigeria.

Based on the findings, the paper recommends increased investment in ICT facilities at the surveyed universities in line with the emerging digital trend in universities around the world to raise the level of awareness of electronic databases utilisation by academic staff in research.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the development of cattle value chain can influence employment creation and income of both cattle farmers and merchants. The study focusses on cattle farmers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States where there are the largest cattle farms and live cattle merchants in Southern Nigeria.

It employs a research approach that uses key informant interviews and structured questionnaire in garnering needed information from cattle farms, abattoirs and merchant.

The results suggest that with some minimal supports, employment creation and income generation can be improved.

None of the reviewed empirical studies is specific to the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria. Among other values, the study identifies employment and income opportunities in corporate and non-corporate farms in the cattle value chain in South Western Nigeria.

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the nutritional status of children aged 5‐10 years attending private (fee paying‐FP) and public (non‐fee paying‐NFP) primary schools in Ibadan South‐West Local Government Area (ISWLGA) of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Anthropometry method was used in the study. Two basic variables (height and weight) and a single derived variable (body mass index‐BMI) were utilized. All the anthropometric measurements were taken following standard techniques.

The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the NFP pupils than in the FP pupils. The incidence of stunting, underweight and wasting among NFP pupils (boys and girls) was 44.8 percent and 43.05 percent; 41.07 percent and 38.88 percent; 43.59 percent and 40.29 percent, respectively. For the pupils from FP schools, the incidence of stunting, underweight and wasting, respectively, (boys and girls) was 34.21 percent and 27.77 percent; 30.70 percent and 27.77 percent; 27.19 percent and 5.55 percent. Higher percentages of boys were malnourished in the two groups of pupils studied.

The study was limited to Ibadan South‐West local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria; it does not give a holistic view of the nutritional status of Nigerian school children.

The results of this study, shows that the average school child in Ibadan, Nigeria is under nourished. Also, higher percentages of boys were malnourished in the two groups of pupils studied. Urgent steps should therefore be taken to meet the nutritional needs of the children.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the food insecurity status of the working poor households in south west Nigeria.

International Labour Organisation poverty line, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale as well as the Ordered Logit model were used to identify the factors influencing the food insecurity status of the working poor households in south west Nigeria.

The study revealed that more than half of the respondents were working poor households, with more than four-fifths of them being food insecure. Income irregularity, savings and level of education had major roles to play in the food insecurity status of working poor households.

Employment has always been considered as a route out of poverty and food insecurity. However, the intensity of poverty among working households should be considered in the design and development of policy and programmes, targeted towards workers. Laws should protect the right of workers against non-payment of salaries, advantages of family planning should be emphasised, social security allowance should be provided to serve as an alternative source of income during emergencies and more investment made in education.

This paper attempts to bridge the knowledge gap in the empirical link between employment, poverty and food insecurity. Particularly, its application to the working households.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2019-0589