The study examined the socio-demographic factors affecting access to and utilization of social welfare services in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted to select 570 respondents from the study area. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were adopted in the selection of communities, and respondents. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and percentages, while chi-square statistic was used to determine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and access to and utilization of social welfare services. The qualitative data were analyzed in themes as a complement to the quantitative data. This study reveals that although all the respondents reported knowing available social welfare services, 44.3% reported not having access to existing social services due to factors connected to serendipity variables, such as terrain condition, ethnicity and knowing someone in government. Therefore, the study recommends that the government and other stakeholders should push for the massive delivery of much-needed social welfare services to address the issue of welfare service deficit across the nation, irrespective of the ethnic group and whether the community is connected to the government of the day or not, primarily in rural areas.

Using the Lafarge Cement Company’s example, the study examined the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the well-being of rural dwellers in Nigeria. The design adopted is cross-sectional, where quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in obtaining data from one thousand one hundred and four (1104) respondents from selected communities in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. The research used a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were then analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency tables. At the same time, the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis techniques. However, the findings revealed that 62.1% of the respondents reported that they are aware of the existing projects executed by Lafarge Cement Company. While 36.4% of the respondents reported construction and rehabilitation of roads as the projects with the highest attention. The findings of the study further showed that 36.4% of the respondents identified improved income and wealth as the most impacted aspect of their well-being. Beyond investing in infrastructure, the study recommended that more resources be invested in young people’s human capital development in rural areas. This will help in achieving sustainable development in rural areas

The reality is that social welfare services in Nigeria exclude more people than they cover, resulting in the deprivation of basic human needs such as water, sanitation, shelter, healthcare, and education that have hindered the betterment of the living conditions of the citizens (Nkpoyen et al., 2021; Okpa, 2022). This study explored factors affecting the government delivery of social welfare services in Nigeria. Five hundred and seventy (570) respondents’ opinions were purposively sampled using the 36-item Social Welfare Service Delivery Questionnaire (SWSDQ) and an in-depth interview guide. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square statistical technique, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 20. As a supplement to the quantitative data, the qualitative data were analysed in themes. Findings from this study revealed that although all the respondents reported knowing about available social welfare services, 44.3% reported not accessing the existing social services because of such factors as political expediency, transparency, accountability, corruption, and perception of social service providers. A key policy issue, therefore, is the need to look into the eradication or mitigation of these factors ascribed to be hindering the delivery of social welfare services. This will expedite the blanket spread of the delivery, accessibility, and utilisation of social welfare services for residents, not just in the study area but across the country

Background: Despite the enormous benefits associated with contraceptive use, only a few sexually active married adults in developing countries like Nigeria use contraceptive methods, this situation is even worst in rural areas across Nigeria. This study examines the influence of myths on the use of contraceptive methods in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: Using the mixed approach, data were obtained from 600 respondents, using a multi-stage sampling technique which in this study entails the selection of community clusters, streets, villages, housing units and respondents through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. In the analysis and interpretation of study findings, descriptive statistics were employed, and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The study shows that fear of pregnancy-related complications and fear of infertility are significant determinants of contraceptive use in Calabar South LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concludes that myths associated with contraceptive use are real and a strong factor that discourages most married adults from the use of contraceptive methods.