The study examined the challenges of the realisation of a world-class university at Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 1,078 lecturers out of which 245 lecturers were sampled. Challenges of the Realization of World-class University Questionnaire (CRSWUQ) constructed by the researchers were used for data collection for the study. Percentage was used to answer the research questions while Mann Whitney U-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed among others that: world class status of a university is simply about the international recognition of the university. A world class university has world class departments, diversified sources of income, sound financial base and always benchmarked with top universities world-wide. Lack of physical infrastructure which is obviously the most visible part of the university, the pressure of publish or perish culture which undermines the quality of research and absence of public financial support are some of the challenges that could hinder the world-class status of Kwara State University. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the state government, KWASU management, academic staff and the entire university community should work together to overcome the identified challenges that could hinder the realization of a world class status of KWASU.

The study investigated the effect of competitor orientation on innovation among SMEs in Yobe State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design. The target population was 363 participants who were either SMEs owners or managers. The sample size was 190 respondents. The main research instrument was questionnaire. Data was analyzed using linear regression analysis.The study found that competitor orientation significantly explains 11.7% of the total variance in innovation (Adjusted R 2 =0.256, p=0.000). The study concluded that competitor orientation affects SMEs' innovation. The study made the following recommendations: the need for SMEs managers and owners to employ better competitive methods that give them upper hand above their competitors, and the need for SMEs to maintain a constant relationship with their customers through business discussion forums, phone calls, email alerts of new products or services, after-service technical support, and timely discount offers for key and specific customers who buy in bulk, and maintaining an active presence on social media.