The Journal
A home for serious, useful, interdisciplinary scholarship.
Established to give postgraduate students, academics and researchers a respected platform to share work that contributes to development in Nigeria, Africa, and the wider world.
Our Aims
Six commitments that shape the journal.
Promote high-quality postgraduate research
Support clear, well-structured, relevant work that adds value to knowledge and responds to important questions.
Encourage interdisciplinary thinking
Modern problems are rarely confined to one discipline. We support work that connects ideas and methods across fields.
Strengthen the research culture
Nurture an academic environment where postgraduate scholars are encouraged to investigate, think critically, and engage.
Support research that leads to development
Emphasis on studies offering practical insights, policy direction, and innovations that improve lives.
Showcase local & African perspectives
Highlight research grounded in local realities while engaging international academic conversations.
Encourage open and responsible dialogue
Create room for honest, constructive, thoughtful academic discussion on matters that affect society.
Scope
The full breadth of postgraduate inquiry.
We accept submissions from all fields, provided the work is original, clearly presented, and contributes to knowledge. We particularly welcome research that crosses traditional boundaries.
Social Sciences
Governance, public administration, sociology, anthropology, political studies, gender, rural development, social change.
Education & Learning Studies
Teaching methods, school management, curriculum, adult learning, educational innovations.
Management & Business
Entrepreneurship, finance, HR, organisational behaviour, leadership, development management.
Natural & Applied Sciences
Environmental studies, agriculture, biological sciences, climate change, technology adoption.
Health & Behavioural Sciences
Public health, mental health, behavioural patterns, health education, community health.
Arts & Humanities
Culture, language, literature, communication, philosophy, religion, creative industries.
Law, Policy & Governance
Legal systems, policy formulation, justice administration, human rights, institutional governance.
Environmental & Development
Sustainability, waste management, energy, urbanisation, community development, environmental policy.
Interdisciplinary & Cross-cutting
Studies that blend disciplines or introduce innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Vision
A trusted home for honest scholarship.
To build a respected and trusted academic journal that brings together strong, meaningful research from different fields — a leading platform where postgraduate students, academics and researchers share new ideas that support development in Nigeria, Africa and the wider world. A home for fresh thinking, and for research that responds to the needs of society.
Mission
Open, supportive, rigorous.
To provide a simple, open and supportive space for the publication of high-quality postgraduate research; to encourage interdisciplinary work that connects ideas across fields and helps solve real problems; to publish research that is clear, original and useful — reflecting both local realities and global standards; and to nurture a strong research culture within COOU and beyond.
Sections
Different formats. One standard of quality.
Original Research Articles
Full research papers presenting new findings, fresh ideas, or original analysis — typically introduction, methods, results, discussion.
Review Articles
Careful examinations of existing literature: trends, gaps, and new directions.
Conceptual & Theoretical Papers
Explorations of theories, models and frameworks; new ways of thinking about issues in society.
Policy Papers & Briefs
Concise, evidence-based commentary aimed at decision-makers.
Ready to prepare your manuscript?
Author guidelines