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.
To promote high-quality postgraduate research
The journal seeks to support research that is clear, well-structured, and relevant. We want to encourage postgraduate students and scholars to produce work that adds value to knowledge and responds to important questions in their fields.
To encourage interdisciplinary thinking
Modern problems are rarely limited to a single discipline. The journal therefore aims to support research that connects ideas and methods from different fields, allowing for deeper understanding and more practical solutions.
To strengthen the research culture within COOU and beyond
The journal aims to nurture a strong academic environment where postgraduate students and researchers feel encouraged to investigate issues, think critically, and engage with scholarly debates.
To support research that can lead to development
The journal places emphasis on studies that offer practical insights, policy direction, or innovative approaches that can improve lives, strengthen institutions, and support community development.
To showcase local and African perspectives
The journal aims to highlight research that draws from local realities, experiences, and knowledge systems, while still connecting with international academic conversations.
To encourage open and responsible academic dialogue
We aim to create room for honest, constructive, and thoughtful academic discussion on matters that affect society, institutions, and everyday life.
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 issues, rural development, and social change.
Education and Learning Studies
Studies on teaching methods, school management, curriculum development, adult learning, and educational innovations.
Management and Business
Entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, organisational behaviour, leadership, and development management.
Natural and Applied Sciences
Environmental studies, agriculture, biological sciences, climate change, technology adoption, and scientific innovations that support development.
Health and Behavioural Sciences
Public health, mental health, behavioural patterns, health education, and community health issues.
Arts and Humanities
Studies in culture, language, literature, communication, philosophy, religion, and creative industries.
Law, Policy, and Governance Studies
Legal systems, policy formulation, justice administration, human rights, and institutional governance.
Environmental and Development Studies
Sustainability, waste management, energy issues, urbanisation, community development, and environmental policy.
Interdisciplinary and Cross-cutting Research
Any study that blends more than one discipline, introduces new ideas, or provides innovative solutions to social, economic, cultural, or environmental 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."
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.
Sections
Different formats. One standard of quality.
Original Research Articles
Full research papers that present new findings, fresh ideas, or original analysis. Usually follow a format: introduction, methods, results, and discussion.
Review Articles
Papers that carefully examine existing literature. They bring together what other researchers have said, point out trends, highlight gaps, and suggest new directions.
Conceptual and Theoretical Papers
Explore theories, models, and frameworks to help understand important concepts and offer new ways of thinking about issues.
Policy Papers and Briefs
Analyse policies or recommend improvements to government programmes, laws, or institutional practices. Short, clear, and focused on practical solutions.
Case Studies
Present real-life situations from communities or organisations to show how theories apply in practice.
Methodological Papers
Focus on research methods, explaining new methods, comparing popular ones, or discussing best practices in design and analysis.
Field Reports
Shorter pieces describing observations or lessons learnt from fieldwork or community engagements.
Interdisciplinary Insights
Short papers that combine ideas from two or more fields to encourage creative thinking.
Book Reviews
Reviews of newly published academic books, helping readers understand their main ideas and relevance.
Graduate Research Spotlight
Celebrating excellent postgraduate work, including outstanding thesis summaries or student-led projects.
Next Steps