International Journal of Education, Culture, and Society

Ability Performance Misalignment in WAEC Mathematics Examination Outcomes: A Quantitative Explanatory Study in North-East Nigeria

2026-07-19T10:04:45+08:00

This study investigates ability–performance misalignment in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Mathematics examination outcomes in northeastern Nigeria. A quantitative explanatory cross-sectional design was employed using archival data from public senior secondary schools to examine discrepancies between classroom-based achievement and performance in a high-stakes external examination. The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of students exhibited ability–performance misalignment: some students with high classroom performance obtained low scores in the WAEC Mathematics examination, whereas some students with low classroom performance achieved comparatively high examination scores. Test anxiety, self-efficacy, and inconsistent assessment practices significantly contributed to this misalignment. These findings suggest that WAEC Mathematics examination results may not always accurately represent students’ mathematical achievement and highlight the need to reconsider how high-stakes assessment outcomes are interpreted and used in educational decision-making. The study contributes to the assessment literature by emphasizing the importance of integrating affective, instructional, and contextual factors when evaluating student performance and formulating assessment policies.

Comparing Mathematics Achievement across High-Stakes Examinations: Evidence from WAEC/NECO and JAMB in Nigeria

2026-07-12T09:43:42+08:00

This study compares mathematics performance across essay-based secondary school examinations administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the multiple-choice university entrance examination administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Nigeria. Using an ex post facto comparative design, archival mathematics examination records from 600 secondary school graduates were analyzed to determine the comparability of performance across the three examination systems. Mathematics performance in WAEC and NECO was operationalized using official grade classifications, whereas JAMB performance was assessed using subject-level aggregate score ranges. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, score standardization, and paired-samples t tests. The findings showed that a substantial proportion of candidates who attained credit-level grades in WAEC and NECO Mathematics obtained relatively low aggregate scores in JAMB Mathematics. Standardized mean comparisons further indicated that the same candidates performed better in WAEC and NECO than in JAMB, while the paired-samples analysis confirmed that the differences were statistically significant and associated with a large effect size. These results demonstrate systematic variation in mathematics performance between essay-based and multiple-choice high-stakes examinations. The study contributes empirical evidence to the mathematics education literature on assessment comparability in multi-examination contexts and underscores the need for cautious interpretation of examination outcomes generated by assessment systems with different formats and purposes, particularly when such results inform high-stakes educational decisions.

Reformation and Birth of Modern Democracy: Lessons for Contemporary Nigerian Christians

2026-07-26T19:18:52+08:00

Christianity originated in Jewish territory and was initially regarded as an illegal religion when it expanded across the Roman Empire; however, its legalization under Emperor Constantine facilitated its increasing involvement in political affairs. Although the sixteenth-century Reformation led by Martin Luther was primarily religious in orientation, its adoption by King Henry VIII of England transformed it into a broader religio-political movement. John Calvin further extended the Reformation’s political significance by criticizing practices within the Roman Catholic Church and emphasizing principles of good governance, particularly through Institutes of the Christian Religion, which articulated ideas concerning just civil government that contributed to the development of modern democratic thought. This study examines the influence of religion on politics by analyzing the Reformation movement in Western Europe and its subsequent role in shaping modern democracy. It also addresses the limited political participation of some eligible Christian citizens in Nigeria, a condition that may contribute to the persistence of poor governance. The study employed a qualitative library research design based on secondary sources, including books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, edited volumes, and relevant online documents. The analysis indicates that the Reformation evolved beyond a religious movement and became an important political force that influenced ideas of governance, civic responsibility, and democracy. The study concludes that Christian political participation, when guided by Christian ethical principles, can contribute to improved governance and democratic development in Nigeria. It therefore recommends greater and more responsible involvement of Nigerian Christians in political processes to support the societal change they seek.

The Role of Public Relations in Shaping Political Communication in Nigeria: A Literature Review

2026-07-26T19:38:54+08:00

Public relations (PR) plays an increasingly important role in shaping political communication within Nigeria’s ethnically diverse society and complex media environment. This literature review aims to examine the strategies, influence, and challenges of PR in Nigerian political communication, with particular attention to political campaigns, crisis communication, digital media, and public perception. The review draws on relevant literature and illustrative cases, including the 2023 general elections and the EndSARS movement, while applying the two-way symmetrical model and agenda-setting theory to interpret PR practices within Nigeria’s political discourse. The findings indicate that PR strategies can strengthen constituent engagement, shape public opinion, mobilize grassroots participation, influence voter behavior, and support political actors in managing crises. Digital media has further expanded the reach and immediacy of political communication, but it has also intensified misinformation, political polarization, ethical concerns, and declining public trust. The reviewed cases demonstrate that PR can facilitate democratic participation and collective action when applied transparently and responsibly, yet manipulative or misleading communication may undermine electoral integrity and democratic legitimacy. The study concludes that effective political PR in Nigeria requires stronger media relations, improved public media literacy, transparent crisis communication, and consistent adherence to professional ethical standards. These findings contribute to understanding the intersection of public relations and political communication and offer practical implications for PR practitioners, political actors, scholars, media institutions, and policymakers seeking to strengthen public trust and democratic communication in Nigeria.

Assessment of Public Relations Strategies Adopted for Sensitization by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 in Abuja and Lagos

2026-07-26T20:03:43+08:00

Effective public communication is essential during public health emergencies because it shapes awareness, promotes preventive behavior, and strengthens public confidence in crisis-management institutions. This study assesses the public relations strategies adopted by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 to sensitize the public in Abuja and Lagos. Guided by agenda-setting theory, the study employed a survey research design and used a questionnaire to collect data from all 107 members of the Presidential Steering Committee through census sampling. The findings indicate that the Committee effectively disseminated information on COVID-19 preventive measures through multiple conventional and digital media channels, and respondents generally perceived its communication efforts favorably. The strategies employed included active engagement with traditional and online media, transparent communication, and proactive measures to counter misinformation. Although respondents’ assessments of the effectiveness of these strategies varied, the findings demonstrate that the Committee’s public relations activities played an important role in disseminating essential information, mitigating the effects of the pandemic, and fostering public confidence in Abuja and Lagos. The study concludes that diversified, transparent, and responsive public relations strategies are essential for effective crisis communication. It therefore recommends the sustained implementation of robust public relations practices to strengthen public sensitization, address misinformation, and improve institutional communication during public health emergencies.