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The transformation of major river basins represents one of the most prominent markers of the Anthropocene across the Global South. This article provides a comparative environmental history of anthropogenic river engineering projects along the Niger and Volta river basins from the late nineteenth century through the late twentieth century. Drawing on archival British and French colonial government records, survey cartography, and paleo-environmental proxy data, the study explores how centralized state authorities systematically reshaped fluvial hydrology to facilitate imperial expansion, cash-crop agricultural intensification, and industrial energy extraction. We trace the shift from localized, adaptive indigenous water management networks to top-down mega-hydraulic engineering projects characterized by large dams, river channelization, and wetland drainage. The ecological consequences—including altered sedimentation dynamics, soil salinization, and the catastrophic collapse of endemic fisheries—demonstrate a recurring historical pattern where short-term economic objectives severely compromised long-term ecosystem stability.

Rapid peri-urban growth around Kano has increased reliance on privately drilled shallow boreholes, many sited close to informal industry and waste ground. This study assessed heavy-metal contamination of shallow borehole water across the city's peri-urban fringe during the 2024 dry season. Water samples were collected from 96 boreholes and analysed for lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium by atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead exceeded the national drinking-water limit at 38 per cent of sites, with the highest concentrations clustered near a tannery district and an informal battery-recycling area. Cadmium and arsenic exceedances were less frequent but spatially co-located with lead. Contamination was strongly associated with proximity to industrial activity and with borehole depth of less than 30 metres. The findings indicate a significant and unevenly distributed exposure risk and support targeted monitoring of shallow boreholes near industrial land

Digital transformation is increasingly shaping the delivery, administration, teaching, research and management of higher education. However, institutions across West Africa continue to face challenges that affect their readiness to adopt and sustain digital technologies. This review examines the major factors influencing digital transformation readiness in West African higher education institutions, with particular attention to digital infrastructure, staff digital skills, institutional governance, technology adoption and organisational capacity. The review synthesises existing scholarly discussions on digital transformation in higher education and identifies recurring barriers and enabling conditions within the West African context. The findings indicate that limited infrastructure, inadequate digital skills, financial constraints, fragmented institutional policies and resistance to organisational change can restrict effective digital transformation. At the same time, institutional leadership, continuous capacity development, appropriate technology investment, supportive governance frameworks and collaboration among higher education and technology stakeholders can strengthen digital readiness. The review highlights the need for institutions to adopt context-sensitive digital transformation strategies that address both technological and organisational requirements. It concludes that sustainable digital transformation in West African higher education requires coordinated investment in infrastructure, human capacity, institutional governance and long-term implementation planning.

Digital transformation is increasingly shaping the delivery of teaching, research, administration, and student services across higher education institutions in West Africa. However, the adoption of digital technologies remains uneven due to differences in institutional infrastructure, staff capacity, funding, connectivity, and organisational readiness. This study examines the state of digital transformation in selected higher education institutions in West Africa, with particular attention to technology adoption, institutional readiness, and implementation challenges. A descriptive research approach was adopted, using structured questionnaires and institutional-level observations to examine the experiences of academic and administrative personnel involved in digital technology implementation. The findings indicate that digital platforms have improved access to academic resources, administrative processes, communication, and research collaboration, but significant challenges remain in infrastructure availability, technical support, digital skills, funding, and institutional coordination. The study further identifies institutional leadership, staff training, reliable connectivity, and sustainable technology investment as important factors influencing successful digital transformation. The study recommends the development of institution-wide digital transformation strategies, continuous capacity building, improved infrastructure investment, and stronger collaboration among higher education institutions and technology stakeholders. These measures can support more sustainable and inclusive digital transformation across the West African higher education sector.

Rainfall in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah has become less predictable in onset and distribution over the past fifteen years, with consequences for rain-fed smallholder agriculture. This study examines the relationship between intra-seasonal rainfall variability and maize yields across four states between 2010 and 2024. Daily rainfall records from twelve stations were combined with plot-level yield returns from 480 smallholder farms. We find that total seasonal rainfall is a weak predictor of yield, while the length of the longest dry spell during the tasselling window explains a substantially larger share of the variation. Farms that adjusted planting dates in response to observed onset recorded smaller losses than those planting on fixed calendar dates. The findings suggest that advisory services should prioritise dry-spell forecasting and flexible planting guidance over seasonal rainfall totals alone

The African Journal of Education, Technology and Development (AJETD) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal established to advance research, policy dialogue, and professional practice at the intersection of education, technology, innovation, and sustainable development in Africa. The journal provides a platform for researchers, academics, policymakers, practitioners, and industry experts to publish high-quality original research, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses that contribute to improving educational systems and institutional performance. Its primary objectives are to: Promote evidence-based research in education and digital innovation. Disseminate knowledge that supports educational policy and institutional development. Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers across Africa and beyond. Showcase emerging technologies and best practices applicable to education and public sector development. Foster academic excellence through rigorous peer review and ethical publishing standards.

Journal of Global Environmental History (JGEH) — Publishes historical research on interactions between human societies and the natural environment across time periods and world regions, including climate history, ecological exchange, and environmental policy history.

Journal of Gender, Family, and Social Policy (JGFSP) — Publishes research on gender, family structure, and the social policies shaping care work, labor, and inequality, welcoming interdisciplinary work on intersectional inequality and family policy.