CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS, DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction
This chapter presents and analyzes the data collected for the study titled “Abuse of Minors and
Its Ethical Implications in Selected Local Government Areas in Lagos, Nigeria.” The purpose of
this analysis is to answer the research questions stated in Chapter One, using data obtained from
two hundred (200) respondents drawn from Somolu, Mushin, and Agege Local Government
Areas of Lagos State. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis.
Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations were
used to summarize demographic data and respondents’ opinions. Inferential statistics such as
one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to test for significant differences in
respondents’ opinions across the Local Government Areas. The results are presented in tables
and figures with detailed interpretation.
4.1 Demographic Distribution of Respondents
Table 4.1 presents the demographic characteristics of the respondents according to gender, age,
Local Government Area, religion, and level of education.
Table 4.1.1: Demographic Characteristics of Respondents (N = 200)
Table 4.1.1: Distribution of Respondents by Gender
Gender Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Male 100 50.0
Female 100 50.0
Total 200 100
Table 4.1.1 shows that both male and female respondents were equally represented in the study,
each constituting 50% of the total population. This balance indicates gender inclusivity and
suggests that both perspectives were fairly captured in the research.
Table 4.1.2: Distribution of Respondents by Age
Age Category Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Below 15 years 21 10.5
15–18 years 70 35.0
19–22 years 89 44.5
Above 22 years 20 10.0
Total 200 100
Table 4.1.2 reveals that most respondents (79.5%) were between 15 and 22 years old, showing
that the majority were adolescents and young adults. This group is especially relevant because
they are among the most vulnerable to abuse and can provide firsthand insights on the subject.
Table 4.1.3: Distribution of Respondents by Local Government Area
Local Government Area Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Mushin 72 36.0
Somolu 65 32.5
Agege 63 31.5
Total 200 100
As shown in Table 4.1.3, respondents were fairly distributed across the three selected Local
Government Areas: Mushin (36%), Somolu (32.5%), and Agege (31.5%). This even distribution
ensured that the opinions of participants from different parts of Lagos Mainland were adequately
represented.
Table 4.1.4: Distribution of Respondents by Religion
Religion Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Christianity 129 64.5
Islam 62 31.0
Others 9 4.5
Total 200 100
Table 4.1.4 indicates that Christianity (64.5%) and Islam (31%) were the dominant religions
among respondents. This reflects the general religious demographics of Lagos Mainland, where
both faiths play significant roles in shaping moral and ethical perspectives toward child welfare.
Table 4.1.5: Distribution of Respondents by Educational Level
Educational Level Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Primary 31 15.5
Secondary 110 55.0
Tertiary 59 29.5
Total 200 100
Table 4.1.5 shows that most respondents (55%) had secondary education, followed by tertiary
(29.5%) and primary (15.5%) education. This indicates that respondents possessed sufficient
literacy levels to comprehend and respond accurately to the questionnaire items.
Table 4.3: Descriptive Statistics for the Five Research Questions
Research Description Mean Standard
Question (M) Deviation (SD)
1 Extent to which abuse of minors persists 3.61 1.00
despite existing child protection laws
2 Major forms and causes of abuse of minors 3.67 0.99
3 Socio-economic and cultural factors 3.66 0.99
contributing to child abuse
4 Ethical implications of the abuse of minors 3.57 0.99
on family systems and societal morality
5 Effectiveness of institutional and 3.71 0.99
governmental responses to the abuse of
minors
All mean scores fall between 3.57 and 3.71 on the 5-point Likert scale, indicating that
respondents generally agreed with the statements under each domain. This implies that the abuse
of minors remains prevalent in the study areas, is influenced by socio-economic and cultural
factors, carries ethical consequences, and that institutional responses are viewed as moderately
ineffective.
4.4 Analysis of Research Questions
Research Question One:
To what extent does the abuse of minors persist in the selected Local Government Areas of Lagos
State despite existing child protection laws?
Table 4.4: ANOVA Result for Research Question One
Source Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. (p)
Between Groups 4.90 2 2.45 2.46 .088
Within Groups 196.80 197 1.00
Total 201.70 199
The ANOVA result shows that F(2,197) = 2.46, p = .088, indicating no significant difference
among Somolu, Mushin, and Agege Local Government Areas regarding perceptions of the
persistence of child abuse. This suggests that child abuse remains a widespread issue across the
LGAs regardless of location.
Research Question Two:
What are the major forms and causes of the abuse of minors in the selected Local Government
Areas of Lagos State?
Table 4.5: ANOVA Result for Research Question Two
Source Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. (p)
Between Groups 1.53 2 0.77 0.77 .464
Within Groups 197.00 197 1.00
Total 198.53 199
With F(2,197) = 0.77 and p = .464, there is no significant difference across LGAs regarding the
forms and causes of child abuse. Respondents consistently identified physical, sexual, emotional,
and economic abuse as the predominant types, largely caused by poverty, ignorance, and parental
neglect.
Research Question Three:
How do socio-economic and cultural factors contribute to the prevalence of child abuse in Lagos
State?
Table 4.6: ANOVA Result for Research Question Three
Source Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. (p)
Between Groups 5.02 2 2.51 2.51 .084
Within Groups 197.20 197 1.00
Total 202.22 199
The analysis shows F(2,197) = 2.51, p = .084, indicating no significant difference in perceptions
of socio-economic and cultural influences across LGAs. This result suggests that poverty,
unemployment, and cultural acceptance of corporal punishment are uniformly recognized as
contributors to child abuse.
Research Question Four:
What are the ethical implications of the abuse of minors on family systems, community values,
and societal morality?
Table 4.7: ANOVA Result for Research Question Four
Source Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. (p)
Between Groups 5.34 2 2.67 2.67 .072
Within Groups 197.10 197 1.00
Total 202.44 199
The ANOVA result shows no significant difference (p = .072) among LGAs regarding ethical
implications. Respondents widely agreed that child abuse undermines family unity, diminishes
moral integrity, and erodes societal trust.
Research Question Five:
How effective are institutional and governmental responses in addressing and preventing the
abuse of minors in Lagos State?
Table 4.8: ANOVA Result for Research Question Five
Source Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. (p)
Between Groups 0.18 2 0.09 0.09 .915
Within Groups 197.80 197 1.00
Total 197.98 199
The ANOVA result, F(2,197) = 0.09, p = .915, indicates that perceptions of institutional and
governmental responses did not significantly differ among the LGAs. Respondents generally
perceived governmental interventions as insufficient and reactive rather than preventive.
4.5 Summary of ANOVA Findings
Table 4.9: Summary of One-Way ANOVA Results for All Research Questions
Research Question F(2,197) p-value Decision
1. Extent of abuse of minors despite existing laws 2.46 .088 Not Significant
2. Major forms and causes of child abuse 0.77 .464 Not Significant
3. Socio-economic and cultural contributors 2.51 .084 Not Significant
4. Ethical implications on family and community 2.67 .072 Not Significant
5. Institutional and governmental responses 0.09 .915 Not Significant
The results reveal that no statistically significant differences existed among the three LGAs for
any of the study variables. Therefore, post-hoc (Tukey) tests were unnecessary as all p-values
exceeded the 0.05 significance threshold.
4.7 Summary of Major Findings
1. The abuse of minors remains prevalent across Somolu, Mushin, and Agege despite
existing child protection laws.
2. The dominant forms of abuse are physical, sexual, and emotional, often resulting from
poverty, ignorance, and parental neglect.
3. Socio-economic and cultural factors play substantial roles in perpetuating abuse.
4. The abuse of minors has serious ethical implications, undermining family systems and
moral values in society.
5. Institutional and governmental responses have been largely ineffective and inconsistent.
6. No significant differences were found in respondents’ perceptions across the three Local
Government Areas.
4.8 Conclusion
This chapter presented and analyzed data on the ethical implications of the abuse of minors in
Lagos State. Findings reveal persistent child abuse despite legal frameworks and widespread
recognition of its causes and ethical consequences. Although government and institutional efforts
exist, they are perceived as inadequate. The results call for strengthened ethical education, public
awareness campaigns, and more robust child protection enforcement in Lagos State.