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"Alao, Abiodun"
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Mugabe and the politics of security in Zimbabwe
\"In 1980, the newly independent and democratic Zimbabwe was a beacon of hope in a troubled region. Three decades later, Zimbabwe became the focus of international attention for very different reasons: acrimonious racial relations, controversial elections, economic hardship, and military intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mugabe and the Politics of Security in Zimbabwe argues that this unfortunate transition is intrinsically linked to the ways in which President Robert Mugabe used the politics of domestic and external security for his own gain. Abiodun Alao presents a comprehensive study of defense institutions, domestic security policy, and external use of military force during Mugabe's decades of rule. He identifies the role of personality in security and explains how the machinations of a self-perpetuating ruler shaped the economic and political dynamics of the struggling nation. He also provides analytical perspectives on Mugabe's transformations from a freedom fighter to a stable president of a relatively economically strong, independent country, and finally to an imprudent autocrat and international pariah. Nuanced, impassioned, and timely, Mugabe and the Politics of Security in Zimbabwe sheds new light on the effects of national security policy and develops a clear picture of the country's past, present, and future.\"-- Provided by Publisher
Book
The structure of undergraduate psychiatric medical education in Nigerian medical schools
Background
Mental disorders represent a major global health burden, yet undergraduate psychiatric training in many low- and middle-income countries remain suboptimal. In Nigeria, misalignment between regulatory frameworks and international best practices has limited the prioritisation of psychiatry in medical education.
Aims
To provide a nationwide overview of undergraduate psychiatric training, structure and assessment methods in Nigerian medical schools.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey of accredited Nigerian medical schools was conducted between June and July 2024 using a 28-item questionnaire administered electronically to psychiatric departmental heads or lecturers. Descriptive analysis was performed using STATA 17.0.
Results
Of 48 accredited medical schools, 40 (83.3%) had psychiatric lecturers who could complete the questionnaire, while 39 participated (response rate: 97.5%). Standalone departments of psychiatry were present in 64.1% of schools, although nearly half employed only one to three psychiatrists. Most schools (76.9%) offered no psychiatric teaching in the preclinical years, and 94.9% had no independent assessment of behavioural sciences. During the clinical years, 46.2% provided four weeks of psychiatric clerkship, while only 15.4% met the WHO recommended eight weeks. Emergency and community psychiatric exposure was largely absent. Although 59.0% of schools used OSCE/OSPE for clinical assessment, only 28.2% conducted psychiatry as a standalone examination, and just 17.9% allocated full independent weighting (100%) at the final MBBS level.
Conclusion
Undergraduate psychiatric training in Nigerian medical schools remains insufficient in scope, duration, and priority, with substantial variability across institutions. Harmonised and enforceable regulatory reforms aligned with international best practices are urgently needed to strengthen psychiatric education and improve mental health competencies of future doctors.
Trial registration
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Committee of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital with approval protocol number KWASUTH/IRC/246/VOL.II/106.
Journal Article
Psychiatrists’ and trainees’ knowledge, perception, and readiness for integration of artificial intelligence in mental health care in Nigeria
Background
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising healthcare globally, including in Nigeria. AI is promising in psychiatry, particularly in addressing the shortage of psychiatrists and rural healthcare gaps. However, research on AI adoption among Nigerian psychiatrists is unavailable.
Aims
This study assesses Nigerian psychiatrists’ and trainees’ knowledge, perception, and readiness toward AI adoption in psychiatric practice.
Methods
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 200 psychiatrists and trainees. Participants completed a structured online questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge, perception, and readiness for AI adoption in psychiatry.
Results
The mean age of the participants is 39 years (Range: 26–68). Most (86.5%) were aware of AI’s usefulness in psychiatric practice, particularly in diagnostic assistance (54%), patient monitoring (60%) and predicting outcomes (59%). However, only 38.5% were familiar with its use. About 73.5% had a positive perception towards AI integration in psychiatry; Most agreed to AI’s potential benefits in the standardisation and personalisation of care plans (63%), addressing the shortage of psychiatrists (61%), minimises bias (73.5%), and prompt help-seeking behaviour among patients (68%). Respondents were sceptical about AI surpassing average psychiatrists in tasks requiring empathy (91.0% unlikely) and mental status examinations (68% unlikely). Data security, potential loss of human interaction, and diminished empathy were significant concerns. Only 29.5% had used AI-based tools, and 79.5% expressed future adoption readiness.
Conclusion
Nigerian psychiatrists view AI as valuable in addressing psychiatric service gaps but emphasise the need for ethical regulations and targeted training to ensure safe, empathetic, and culturally appropriate AI applications in psychiatry.
Ethics registration
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Committee of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital with approval protocol number KWASUTH/IRC/246/VOL.II/46.
Clinical trial number
Not applicable.
Journal Article
Strategies for Using ICT Skills in Educational Systems for Sustainable Youth Employability in South Africa
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play a significant role in the socioeconomic development of many countries. Digitisation in South Africa has increased, and ICT skills are pivotal in the sustainability of youth employability in the labour market. Hence, ICT skills, soft, hard, and technical skills are required in government, private organisations, and businesses. This study aims to investigate possible ways educational systems can adopt ICT skills to improve youth employability in South Africa. This study examines the factors that affect youth employability such as lack of ICT skills, access, income, affordability, infrastructure, poverty gap, inequality, lack of education, lack of access to information, and high demand for IT skills expectations in organisations as among the challenges that hinder youth employability in the South African economy. We propose that educational institutions should incorporate practical pedagogy to prepare qualified youths for the labour market. This study focuses on using ICTs for the sustainable development of youth employability in South Africa. The Sustainable Livelihood Theory was used as the study framework while the quantitative method was used for the data collection process. The researchers used close-ended and open-ended questions to draft a questionnaire to gather data from 49 respondents. We triangulated the received data from youths living in the East Rand of Johannesburg. Results derived from the study show the significance of ICT skills in educational systems on youth employability. The practical implication of the study recommends that policymakers implement ICT skill strategies to support educational institutions to prepare youths for the labour market.
Journal Article
Information and Communication Technology Management for Sustainable Youth Employability in Underserved Society: Technology Use for Skills Development of Youths
The provision of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is not eminent in many societies due to a lack of digital access and poverty. Therefore, there should be ICT provision in underserved communities to bridge digital literacy and contribute to human and indigenous knowledge development. This paper aims to investigate how ICT access can impact youth employability in underserved townships. The quantitative method was used for the data collection process, using a structured questionnaire to draft both close-ended and open-ended questions. These were drafted into Google forms and distributed on social media platforms. While the sustainable livelihood theory was used to guide the study. Results derived from this study depict the inherent environmental factors that hinder youth access to ICTs. This study recommends policymakers can implement measures to provide sufficient ICT development initiatives to support youths living in underserved communities.
Journal Article
Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa
'Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa' is the first book to offer a detailed look at conflict over various natural resources in several African countries. Abiodun Alao undertakes this broad survey by categorizing natural resources into four groups: land (including agricultural practices and animal stock), solid minerals, oil, and water. Themes linking these resources to governance and conflict are then identified and examined with numerous examples drawn from specific African countries. Alao's approach offers considered conclusions based on comparative discussions and analysis, thus providing the first comprehensive account of the linkage between natural resources and political and social conflict in Africa. Abiodun Alao is a Senior Research Fellow at the Conflict, Security, and Development Group, School of Social Science and Public Policy, King's College, University of London.
eBook
Mental health of doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria
Doctors are vulnerable to psychiatric morbidity as a result of their busy schedules and multiple role obligations. Yet, they often don't admit they have mental health problems nor are they readily subjected to mental health evaluation by their colleagues due to fear of labeling and general stigma.
A cross-sectional survey of doctors in the service of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria was done using a socio-demographic questionnaire and the twelve items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using a cut-off point of 3 to indicate possibility of psychiatric disorder (GHQ-12 positive). Non-parametric analysis and regression test of factors associated with psychiatric morbidity was done using SPSS. Level of significance was set at 0.05 p-value.
Two hundred and forty one doctors representing 68.9% of the doctors participated in the survey. The point prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among the doctors using the GHQ-12 was 14.9%. Being married, non-participation in social activities and perception of work load as being \"heavy\" were significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity (p-value < 0.05).
The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was higher than the general population prevalence. Measures to lessen the negative effect of marriage and the perceived heavy work load on mental health of doctors, such as provision of recreational facilities within the hospital and encouragement of doctors' participation in social activities are advanced.
Journal Article
Effects of Innovative Technologies on Gender Disparity and the Future of Work: Information Communication Technology Skills Education for Youth Employability
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has prompted organizations to embrace digital transformation, demanding that employees possess ICT technical skills to boost productivity. In developing countries, a lack of ICT education exacerbates high youth unemployment, particularly among gender-disadvantaged individuals who struggle to secure jobs requiring digital literacy. This study investigates the factors contributing to the gender disparity of youth unemployment in South Africa. The study adopted the Technology Acceptance Theory to guide the study. The quantitative method was used for the data collection process using Google Forms to draft a questionnaire that was distributed to respondents online. The study results show the importance of ICT technical education to improve youth employment prospects and recommend that policymakers implement ICT skills development initiatives to mitigate youth unemployment.
Journal Article
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduates and challenges of employability : a conceptual framework for enhancing employment opportunities in South Africa
Graduate unemployment is among the most predominant problems facing South Africa. The underlying assumption is that employability issues have severe implications and have raised unresolved questions about universities’ curriculum, the quality of graduates produced, and their ability to meet the essential demands of employers. This paper probed the development of a framework for addressing the employability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduates. The aim was to explore the issues that ICT graduates are encountering when seeking entrance to the labour market. The paper adopted two framework models by Knight and Yorke (USEM model) and Dacre Pool and Sewell (CareerEDGE Model), supported by a systematic literature review (SLR). The findings revealed that ICT graduates at all levels of qualifications struggle to get jobs, irrespective of their qualifications, due to socio-economic problems resulting in a shortage and non-creation of jobs to accommodate the up-and-coming ICT graduates. As a consequence, these graduates are still vulnerable in the labour market. Several other associated challenges identified in the developed framework were linked to work experience, namely a lack of soft and hard skills and business skills. In spite of these challenges, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a definitive role to play. One of which is to produce academic graduates with practical skills and traits, coherent knowledge and application in the workspace. The curriculum design should be restructured to align with employers’ skills requirements from ICT graduates. HEIs should ensure that there is proper communication among triad parties and stakeholders through the incorporation of work-integrated learning (WIL) as a best practice for improvement.
Journal Article