Research background: This study was conducted as a result of the challenges that confront MSMEs globally, especially in Nigeria, due to the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19. A descriptive research design (quantitative analysis) was adopted, while primary data were employed for the study. Purpose of the article: The population for the study was 587 MSMEs from the Ojo local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria, with a sample size of 234 derived using the Taro Yamane (1967) techniques. A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed, allowing room for errors, and 228 of them were returned usable for the study, constituting a 95% response rate for the study. Methods: Content validity was adopted. A reliability test was conducted using Cronbach’s Alpha, which returned a value of 0.869, indicating internal consistency of the research instrument. Descriptive statistics (means and simple percentages) were used to analyse the data, alongside regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The findings revealed that a strategic alliance and partnership could positively affect MSMES survival post-COVID-19 in Nigeria, with a p-value of 0.000<0.05, and that its impact on the performance of MSMEs in the Nigerian economy post-Covid-19 was statistically significant and positive, with a correlation coefficient of 0.824 (82.4%) and a p-value of 0.000<0.05. Findings & Value added: The results and findings suggest that a strategic alliance and partnership is indeed a veritable tool for MSMEs’ survival post-COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The study “Financial Inclusion: A Panacea for Attaining Sustainable Development in Developing Countries like Nigeria” was embarked on by the researcher with the view of ascertaining whether financial inclusion of majority of citizens on part of the government can lead to sustainable development in line with the UN (2015) Sustainable Development Goal. The sub-variables under consideration were access to loans and credit facilities; and financial literacy for the independent variable financial inclusion and poverty reduction; gender equality for the dependent variable sustainable development. Cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted by the researcher. The researcher used primary data to elicit information for this study. The population for the study was taken from six (6) communities selected from 6 Local Government Areas from the Lagos and Ogun States, with each state contributing 3 communities, respectively. A total of 750 questionnaires was distributed, with 125 questionnaires handed out to each respective community; 532 questionnaires were returned in a form usable for the study, amounting to 70.9% deemed valid to arrive at a valid conclusion. Content validity was adopted for this study. Reliability test was conducted using Cronbach Alpha, which returned 0.837, showing internal consistency of the research instrument. Descriptive statistics such as mean, simple percentage were used to analyze the demography of respondents while regression and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that access to loans and credit facilities lead to poverty reduction in developing countries like Nigeria, and financial literacy is a prerequisite for ensuring gender equality in developing countries like Nigeria, with a p value of 0.000<0.05, a correlation coefficient of 0.651, an unstandardized coefficient of 1.204 (120.4%). The results and findings were sufficient to assert that financial inclusion is indeed a panacea for attaining sustainable development in developing countries like Nigeria.

This study examines the effect of relationship currency on organizational commitment in higher educational institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was adopted to gather information useful for assessing the effects of relationship currency on organizational commitment in participating higher educational institutions. The study population consisted of all staff (both academic and non-academic) of the participating state-owned higher educational institutions in Lagos. A total of 329 respondents were selected from the study population. A 6-Point Likert type scale format questionnaire was developed to capture reality in real terms. Data were analysed using a variance-based structural equation modelling with SmartPLS version 3.3.9. The findings reveal that relationship currency exerts a significant effect on organizational commitment in state-owned higher educational institutions, based on the results obtained from the hypotheses assessed. Therefore, the study recommends that management should provide an enabling environment that fosters social relationships among employees across departments and units in the institutions, as this will enhance the levels of organizational identification, thereby influencing organizational commitment. This study examines the effects of relationship currency on employee commitment in higher educational institutions, both empirically and expository-wise.

The study examined Artificial Intelligence and Employee Performance in the Nigerian Banking Industry, Lagos Nigeria as a study to generalize results. The objective of this study was to examine the complementability of AI to work processes and to know if it eases employee operations in banks in Nigeria. Cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted by the researcher. Primary data was to elicit information for this study. The population of the study was the entire employees of six (6) selected banks operating in Lagos State, Nigeria, which totaled 127 staff. The study adopted Taro Yamane (1967) sample size determinant to arrive at a sample size of 98 elements. 98 copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents of six banks in Lagos State, Nigeria, which was divided using simple proportion and ratio among the six banks, 98 respondents were used for data analysis. Content validity was adopted for this study. Reliability test was conducted using Cronbach Alpha and it returned 0.773 showing internal consistency of research instrument. Descriptive statistics such as mean, simple percentage was used to analyze the demography of respondents while regression and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze data. The findings revealed that Artificial Intelligence complements work process in banks in Nigeria and that machine-aided tasks ease operations in banks in Nigeria. The study recommended the adoption of AI by not only banks but all other firms in the service industry; the need for all employees and people to be educated on the importance of embracing AI; the upgrading of school curriculum at all levels in developing and third world economies to incorporate AI and its accompanying gadgets.

Casualization of labour in the world and indeed Nigeria is against the tenets of labour and this has caused continuous conflict between workers, labour unions, and employers across organizations in Nigeria and the world over. It is even more appalling to note that casual workers are barred from unionizing (trade union), denying them access to certain benefits in the organization. This is the essence to which the paper undertakes to examine the “impact of casualization on workers’ performance”. The objective of this study is to examine if casualization of work affects the productivity and output of casual workers. Descriptive survey research design was adopted in this study, the population of the study was from Coca-cola Bottling company (food and beverages), and Lolitta Manufacturing company makers of X-pression Hair product (Cosmestics industry) selected using simple proportion and random sampling techniques. The sample size was 152 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Correlation and Regression tools were used to analyze the data. Results shows that casualization policy (absence of leave and leave allowance, absence of injury compensations and other social benefits) affects performance and effectiveness of casual workers. The study recommends stringent measures to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Casualization Prohibition Bill, 2010 leading to equal rights to all workers. This study further suggest a maximum period of six (6) month probation upon which all casual workers are converted to permanent staffs across organizations in Nigeria. The study also suggest that defaulting organizations are made to face the penalty irrespective of the status of the organization or owners. This way, organizations in Nigeria will attain acceptable human resources practices status as stated by ILO.