Ethiopian e-Journal for Research and Innovation Foresight (Ee-JRIF)

Higher Educational Acquisition and Women Career Advancement in the Kwara State Civil Service, North/Central, Nigeria

Salamat Atinuke AJEDE — 2025-05-16

The study examined the main influence of higher educational attainment on the achievement of career advancement for women in the Kwara State Civil Service of North Central, Nigeria. Although women’s career advancement in formal sectors has improved over the last one decade Ajede, (2023) there is however, paucity of studies on how the acquisition of higher degrees by female civil servants have impacted on their professional advancement. The study was anchored on the Theory of bureaucracy, Labour Market Segmentation and Human Capital theory. The three theories explained the problem and nature of the bureaucratic structure and its inevitability in government administrative systems, how it leads to sexual division of labour, problem of labour market segmentation and the importance of investing in education and training to bridge gender gaps at work. Cross –sectional survey design was utilized while Simple random, purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select permanent staff of six ministries within the Kwara State civil service in Ilorin, North Central, in Nigeria consisting of 158 females. Eight in depth interview (IDIs) and case studies were conducted on female directors and permanent secretaries of the ministries. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square test statistics at 0.05 level of significance while qualitative data were content analyzed.

Results showed that higher educational attainment remains a key factor for the career advancement of women to management positions in addition to performance and hard work while cultural stereotypes, glass-ceiling and domestics responsibilities remain challenges to women advancement in the civil service.

Cosmetic Textiles: A Novel Technique of Developing Wearable Skin Care

Vishnu Appa Dorugade — 2025-05-16

With the growing trend in enhancing beauty through healthy means, customers request apparel and home textiles with extra functions, including environmental protection, anti-pollution, and health and beauty care, in an attempt to achieve a more natural and healthier life. Cosmetotextiles development transforms daily ordinary textile products into cosmetically active products, ending the need to actively apply the cosmetic substance. The textiles can act as delivery systems of bioactive compounds such as vitamins, peptides, antioxidants, fragrances, metallic compounds, and drugs, as well as some animal and plant-based compounds. Active ingredients are normally integrated with textiles by microencapsulation, plasma, sol-gel, dope insertion inside the synthetic fiber via spinning processes or they are applied by coating/grafting or impregnation onto the finished fabric in order to stabilize the cosmetic ingredients, provide sustained skin therapy, and prolong dermo cosmetic efficiency. Current cosmetotextiles in the market claim to be moisturizing, cellulite reducing, perfumed, body slimming, energizing, rejuvenating, refreshing, UV protective, anti-ageing, improving the firmness and elasticity of skin or reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The market for cosmetic textiles is growing, particularly in response to the increased demand for hygiene products and the need for extra hygienic and cosmetic benefits in personal care products. Thus, the development of novel applications of cosmetotextiles will open up new market potential for textile and garment manufacturers. This article provides an overview of the development history, important cosmetic ingredients and their applications, and commercial cosmetotextile products available in the market.

Development of Low-Cost Menstrual Hygiene Management Clothing by Improving Moisture Absorption of Cotton Fiber

Fenta Mehabie Kidie — 2025-05-16

In many parts of the world, especially in least developed and developing countries, shortages of proper hygiene clothing can lead to stigmatization and hinder women's involvement in education, daily activities, and work. By developing hygienic clothing using highly available and low-cost materials, we can help break these barriers and empower women to participate fully in various aspects of life. The main objective of this research was to develop menstrual hygiene management clothing for women by improving cotton fiber’s fluid absorption rate and holding capacity. The cotton fibers were collected and cleaned using a laboratory opening (trash analyzer) machine to remove impurities. The cleaned cotton fibers were scoured to remove natural impurities and mercerized to increase the fluid-holding capacity of the fiber. The scoured and mercerized fiber was opened, lapped, and bonded by stitching. The hygiene management prototype clothing were designed, and the patterns were prepared and cut based on the design. The products were constructed of soft and absorbent fabric at the top, repellent fabric at the bottom, and stitched bonded nonwoven sandwiched between them. Then the properties and performance of produced products were evaluated and explained. The scouring process significantly increased the absorption rate of the cotton fiber, and the mercerization process increased the moisture-holding capacity to 23 g/g. The developed products absorb fluid quickly and hold a high amount of fluid in the core part, which is highly repellent on the outer side. It is leak-proof, and the wash durability of the cloth was good to excellent up to 20 washes.

Livestock Marketing through Cooperative Initiative in Ethiopia: Theoretical & Empirical: A Review

Seid Mohammed — 2025-05-16

This review highlights how livestock cooperative marketing can enhance market performance in Ethiopia’s leather and leather product industry (ELLPI). Livestock supplies vital raw materials for leather production, making it critical to address bottlenecks in its marketing. Drawing on both published and unpublished sources, the review synthesizes systematic, technical, economic, social, and environmental data from various secondary materials and organizational reports. Despite holding Africa’s largest livestock population with 65.35 million cattle, 51 million goats, 40 million sheep, 8.6 million equines, 1 million camels, and 55.4 million chickens only 3.7 million cattle hides, 8.4 million sheep skins, and 7.7 million goat skins are collected annually. In addition to, the Oromia and Amahara regional states are leading with 43 and 25 percentages to total respectively, and considering that cattle play a significant role in the economic life of rural community of Ethiopia. Consequently, the untapped potential for skins and hides remains considerable. Livestock cooperative marketing emerges as a strategic solution, involving collective action by producers, consumers, governments, and communities to harness shared resources. This approach can tackle core challenges undermining Ethiopia’s export competitiveness: limited market-oriented production, fragmented coordination, weak market information, and inadequate facilities. Countries like Botswana, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya have set an example in effective livestock marketing structures in East Africa regional market.. Empirical evidence indicates that cooperative marketing can significantly improve efficiency, sustainability, equity, and user satisfaction. It is also culturally and socially more accepted in Ethiopia compared to alternative organizational models. Therefore, adopting an integrated, cooperative framework for livestock marketing could optimize the country’s vast livestock resources, fostering greater domestic and export market performance in the ELLPI.

Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Indigenous Cellulosic Fibers in Textile Fashion Industry: Overview

Aklilu Azanaw — 2025-05-16

This comprehensive review explores the opportunities and challenges associated with the sustainable and environmentally friendly indigenous cellulosic fibers in Ethiopia's textile fashion industry. Ethiopia is endowed with a rich biodiversity, which includes various indigenous plant species that yield valuable cellulosic fibers, such as cotton, kenaf, and the lesser-known fibers like and jute. These fibers present immense potential for eco-friendly textile production, aligning with global sustainability goals and increasing consumer demand for sustainable fashion. The utilization of indigenous fibers can significantly reduce reliance on synthetic materials, diminish environmental impact, and promote local economies through job creation in rural communities. However, several challenges impede the widespread adoption of these fibers, including limited processing technology and knowledge, Government policy, inadequate supply chain infrastructure, and a lack of consumer awareness about the benefits of using sustainable materials. Additionally, issues such as climate change and land degradation pose significant threats to the cultivation of these plants. This review highlights the need for innovative strategies to address these challenges, such as investment in research and development, capacity-building for local farmers, and enhancing marketing efforts to raise consumer awareness. By leveraging the unique properties of indigenous fibers and promoting sustainable practices, Ethiopia has the potential to become a leader in the eco-conscious textile fashion industry while fostering environmental protection and economic growth. Ultimately, this review aims to provide insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers interested in harnessing the potential of Ethiopia's indigenous cellulosic fibers.

Valorising Agro-Wastes by Transforming to Sustainable Textile Fibers

R. Saminathan — 2025-05-16

The global textile industry is adopting sustainable practices delving into eco-friendly wet processing, “green” packaging and innovative fibers and fiber sources. This study evaluates the potential of agricultural residues, such as banana pseudo-stems, stalks, pineapple leaves, and coconut husks, as raw materials for eco-friendly yarn production. The approach of repurposing agro waste offers dual benefits of mitigating agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions while providing a sustainable alternative to cotton. The paper highlights the material properties of various agro-waste fibers, details advanced techniques for fiber extraction, and evaluates their diverse applications in textiles and industrial products. Additionally, the environmental advantages, such as biodegradability and waste reduction, are analysed. The economic feasibility, viz. cost-effectiveness and market expansion opportunities are also assessed. The study addresses challenges of scalability and infrastructure limitations by proposing innovative strategies and policy interventions. This work underscores the transformative potential of agro-waste fiber to revolutionize the textile sector, fostering sustainability and a circular economy.

Ozone Treatment of Polyester Fabric for Surface Modification

Ahmed Mohammed Nuru — 2025-05-16

Currently, there is a greater demand for cotton-based goods for the purpose of apparel, including linens for homes and hospitals because of the expanding trend of mothers giving birth in hospitals as a result of hospital infrastructure developments. On the other hand, there is a restricted application of cotton due to a lower potential of supplier raw materials with quality, and a tendency cotton goods for wrinkles after laundering since bed linens, especially those used in hospitals, are usually washable. Hence, to meet social demands, it is preferable to find and use alternative materials. In this paper polyester was used as alternative materials but, it has serious drawback due to its hydrophobic character. The main objective of this study was treated polyester fabric with ozone to make it appropriate for use as bed linen. Ozone treatment reduces the inherent drawbacks in polyester fabric, making it appropriate for use as hospital and residential bed linen. The Polyester fabric was exposed to 50% ozone gas concentrations at different time intervals of 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes. Using a range of testing devices, changes in the fabric's chemical and physical properties have been analysed in order to assess the effects of these ozone treatments. As the result shows the formation of polar bond were confirmed by FTIR and indicates by increase in wettability and the colour strength of treated dyed Polyester samples. Long-time treatment of ozone provides higher absorbency of fabric with constant percentage of ozone amount.