Digital transformation is critical for strengthening governance and improving performance in Nigeria's higher education institutions (HEIs). However, persistent gaps in digital skills, infrastructure, and policy implementation continue to hinder progress. This study investigates these challenges and examines how AI-enabled digital tools can enhance governance, institutional effectiveness, and sustainable education management (SEM). Using a qualitative research design, the study drew on interviews with 21 key stakeholders including university administrators, ICT personnel, policymakers, and student leaders supplemented by documentary and policy analysis. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and thematic procedures to capture lived experiences and institutional practices related to digital transformation. Findings reveal four dominant issues: inadequate digital literacy among staff, weak governance implementation structures, limited readiness for AI adoption, and significant infrastructural deficits. While participants acknowledged the potential of AI to improve administrative efficiency, decision-making, and academic processes, they also raised concerns about job displacement, ethical risks, and regulatory gaps. To address these challenges, the study proposes the AI-Driven Staff Training Modules and Performance Appraisal (AI-STMsPA) framework, designed to strengthen staff digital skills, promote transparent HR processes, and support sustainable higher education governance. Overall, the study demonstrates that effective digital transformation in Nigerian HEIs requires coordinated interventions that integrate capacity building, ethical AI governance, infrastructure development, and inclusive policy implementation. These insights contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 8, 9, and 16 by promoting quality education, decent work, innovation, and strong institutions.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating worldwide and is eroding the effectiveness of frontline antibiotics, driving treatment failure, prolonged illness, higher costs, and avoidable mortality. Medicinal plants have proven to be a potential source of natural new antimicrobials owing to their richness in diverse bioactive compounds called phytochemicals. One appealing thing about these phytochemicals is that they work against multiple targets at once. They break down microbial cell walls, stop biofilm formation, and prevent essential enzymes from working, which may lower the chance of resistance developing. They can also synergize with existing antibiotics. Synthetic antibiotics, however, are not eco-friendly or desirable from the perspective of sustainability, and plant-derived compounds provide an eco-friendly and sustainable strategy to counteract AM.However, key challenges remain, including variable phytochemical composition across plant sources, limited standardization of extraction and susceptibility testing, incomplete mechanistic validation, and gaps in safety, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and drug–herb interaction data. Future work should prioritize rigorous chemical profiling and quality control, harmonized in vitro assays linked to clinically relevant endpoints, mechanism-led combination studies against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, and well-designed in vivo and clinical evaluations supported by scalable formulation and delivery approaches. Overall, strategically developed phytochemicals, particularly as antibiotic adjuvants could help extend the useful life of current antimicrobials and contribute to integrated AMR mitigation efforts. Drawing on the promise of medicinal plants to battle AMR, this mini-review advocates for interdisciplinary research and policy support to enable the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals to combat this critically important global health issue.
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal found in the environment from natural (volcanic eruptions) and industrial sources, including mining, smelting, batteries, and fuel combustion. Studies have shown that oxidative stress, inflammation, and abnormal immune response are associated with Cd-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) toxicity. The dietary trace element zinc (Zn) prevents oxidative and inflammatory effects in diverse experimental models. The literature has reported that Zn inhibits Cd-mediated HPT toxicity. Our objective is to investigate the mechanisms by which Zn inhibits the Cd-induced HPT toxicity in rats. A 42-day waterborne exposure of Cd and Zn was administered to rats individually at 200 μg/L or in a co-exposure. Treatment with Zn significantly (p < 0.05) reduced inflammatory and oxidative imbalance, as well as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity and expression in both the hypothalamus and testes of rats. Furthermore, a Zn-induced reduction (p < 0.05) in cadmium (Cd) concentration led to fewer degenerating neurons in the hypothalamus and lower testicular injury scores observed in the Sertoli and Leydig cells on histological examination. Exposure to Zn also resulted in an increased (p < 0.05) sperm count, motility, viability, and lowered morphological alterations due to its antagonistic effect on Cd-induced decrease in reproductive/pituitary hormones and steroidogenic enzyme activities. Zn displayed high binding affinity (−9.2 kcal/mol) when docked with IDO, thus counteracting Cd-induced increase in IDO activity/expression by modulating redox imbalance.
Background: Health-seeking behavior remains a critical determinant of health outcomes in coastal Self-stigma remains a critical psychosocial challenge among people living with HIV/AIDS and may interfere with long-term engagement in antiretroviral therapy. Internalized shame, fear of disclosure, and negative self-perception can disrupt medication-taking routines and reduce adherence, particularly in settings where HIV-related stigma remains socially embedded. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between self-stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS attending a Nigerian antiretroviral therapy clinic. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 adults receiving antiretroviral therapy at a single HIV clinic. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit eligible respondents during the data collection period. Self-stigma was measured using the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale, while adherence was assessed using the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Adherence Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, independent samples t-test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Respondents with suboptimal adherence had significantly higher self-stigma scores than those with optimal adherence (18.8 ± 3.6 vs. 13.7 ± 4.0; p < 0.001). Self-stigma showed a moderate negative correlation with adherence percentage (r = -0.49; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that moderate self-stigma (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.13–0.92; p = 0.034) and high self-stigma (AOR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.59; p = 0.006) were independently associated with lower odds of optimal adherence. Conclusion: Self-stigma was significantly associated with poorer antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS in this Nigerian ART clinic. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the cross-sectional design, single-clinic setting, and modest sample size. HIV care services should integrate stigma-sensitive adherence counseling, safe disclosure support, family-based support, and clinic retention strategies into routine treatment programs.
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is associated with haematological abnormalities, including changes in platelet count and platelet indices, which may persist despite antiretroviral therapy. Objective: To assess platelet count, platelet indices, CD4 count, and viral load among PLHIV receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Calabar, Nigeria, and to compare these parameters with HIV-seronegative controls. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 participants aged 22–45 years, comprising 30 HIV-positive individuals receiving HAART and 30 HIV-seronegative controls. Ethical approval was obtained, informed consent was secured, and structured questionnaires were administered. Full blood count was performed using an automated haematologyanalyser to determine platelet count and indices, while CD4 T-cell count was measured using the PartecCyFlow counter. Results: Females constituted 57% of participants and males 43%, while 63% were married. Among PLHIV, 70% received Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) and 30% received Abacavir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (ALD), with approximately 60% reporting adherence to therapy. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly higher among PLHIV than controls (16.1% vs. 14.6%), while CD4 count was significantly lower. Conclusion: HIV infection was associated with significant alterations in PDW, platelet-related parameters, CD4 count, and viral load among individuals receiving HAART. Although platelet parameters remained within reference ranges, their changes may provide clinically useful indicators for monitoring haematological status and treatment response in HIV care. Peer Review History: Received 2 June 2026; Reviewed 4 July 2026; Accepted 7 August; Available online 15 September 2026 Academic Editor: Dr. Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com Reviewers: Dr. Robert Tungadi, State University of Gorontalo, Indonesia, rtungadi@yahoo.com Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, toyinpharm@gmail.com
