Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Modeling the decarbonization trajectories of the Moroccan agri-food industry: a prospective analysis with OSeMOSYS

2026-09-08T15:52:29+02:00

This study analyzes the decarbonization trajectories of the Moroccan agri-food industry by 2050 in a context of strengthening climate policies and increasing exposure to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). A bottom-up energy optimization model based on OSeMOSYS was developed to evaluate four scenarios: baseline (BAU), deep decarbonization (DO), national strategy (SN) and carbon tax (TC). The results show that an 85% reduction in emissions is technically feasible through the electrification of thermal processes and the massive deployment of high-temperature heat pumps (heat pumps). This transition increases the cost of the system by about 15%, with a marginal abatement cost of €51/tCO₂. The CBAM's prospective analysis indicates a cumulative cost of around €422 million between 2025 and 2050. However, a carbon tax alone does not allow for a profound technological transformation. The success of the transition therefore requires a decarbonisation of the electricity system and investment support mechanisms.

Keywords: Industrial decarbonization, Agri-food industry, Morocco, OSeMOSYS, Heat pumps, Carbon tax, Energy efficiency

Response of White Perilla’s Yield, Water Productivity, Consumed Energy and Farm Income to Irrigation Treatments in Sandy Soil

2026-09-08T16:11:10+02:00

White perilla (Perilla frutescens) is not a widely grown commercial crop in Egypt and no information is available on water requirements of the crop under Egyptian conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in a private farm (30^o40' N latitude, 32^o15' E longitude, and 10.0 m above mean sea level), Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during the 2022 and 2023 summer growing seasons. The objectives of this field experiment were to test the effect of six irrigation treatments (I_Farmer, I_Growth-stage, I_120%ETo, I_100%ETo, I_80%ETo, and I_60%ETo) on perilla seed yield, plant height, total carbohydrates (TC, %), total protein (TP, %), total oil content (%), macro-, secondary-, micro-nutrients, amounts of applied irrigation (AIW, m³/ha), water productivity (WP, kg seed/m³ applied water), yield response factor (Ky), energy consumption, and farm income. Results showed significant effect of the irrigation treatments on all tested parameters. The 2-year average AIW values were 9653, 7259, 6540, 5450, 4360, and 3270 m³/ha for I_Farmer, I_Growth-stage, I_120%ETo, I_100%ETo, I_80%ETo, and I_60%ETo treatments, respectively. The highest 2-yr. average seed yield of 4.979 t/ha was recorded for the I_Growth-stage treatment, while the lowest value of 2.890 t/ha was recorded for the I_{60% ETo} treatment. Results revealed also that, there were no significant differences between seed yields recorded for I_Growth-stage and I_120%ETo treatments in the two seasons. The 2-yr average WP values were 0.406, 0.686, 0.686, 0.713, 0.8, and 0.884 kg seeds/m³ for the I_Farmer, I_Growth-stage, I_{120% ETo}, I_{100% ETo}, I_{80% ETo}, and I_{60% ETo}, respectively. Perilla Ky value was 0.778 indicating moderately tolerant to deficit irrigation. The highest 2-yr average value of consumed electric energy of 4924 kW was recorded for farmer practice (I_Farmer), while the lowest average value of 1669 kW was recorded for the I_{60% ETo} treatment. The 2-yr average values of cost: benefit ratios were 1.50, 1.10, 1.20, 1.31, 1.43, and 1.90% for the same respective irrigation treatments. From the obtained results it could be concluded that, applying appropriate agronomic practices (e.g. proper amounts of irrigation water and applying fertilizer through drip-fertigation technique) can achieve high perilla seed yields. In case of water shortage, applying good agricultural practices and I_120%ETo can save 32.2% (3113 m³/ha) of applied irrigation water without significant reduction in seed yield, achieve 4.485 t/ha of see yield, water productivity of 0.686 kg seed/m³, save 32.3% of electric energy, and 14.3% higher net income compared with farmer practice.

Keywords: Applied water, water productivity, yield response factor, electric energy, farm income

Eco-Friendly weed management with giant milk-weed (Calotropis procera) leaf extract

2026-09-08T17:17:52+02:00

Weed infestation remains a major constraint to maize production in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria, necessitating sustainable and effective weed management strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of Calotropis procera leaf extract as a bioherbicide, applied alone and in combination with hoe weeding and synthetic herbicides, on weed suppression, growth, and yield of maize at Bayero University Kano (BUK) and ICRISAT Research Farm, Minjibir during the 2024 rainy season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eleven weed control treatments which were replicated three times. Data were collected on weed characters, maize growth parameters, yield components, and grain yield. Weed control methods significantly influenced weed pressure, maize growth, and yield at both locations. Hoe weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing and pendimethalin followed by nicosulfuron recorded the lowest weed density (66.7-73.0 plants m⁻² at BUK) and dry weed biomass (1,400-1,950 kg ha⁻¹), resulting in the highest weed control efficiency (up to 98.5% at Minjibir). These treatments also produced taller plants (up to 232–241 cm at 12 WAS), higher grain yield (2.04-2.23 t ha⁻¹ at BUK and 0.92-0.95 t ha⁻¹ at Minjibir), and superior yield components compared with other treatments. Integrated application of C. procera leaf extract (60–80%) with hoe weeding or early post-emergence spraying significantly reduced weed infestation and improved maize growth and yield relative to the weedy check, which consistently recorded the highest weed density (420-560 plants m⁻²) and the lowest grain yield (0.12-0.50 t ha⁻¹). The soils at both sites were sandy loam with low inherent fertility, emphasizing the importance of effective weed suppression to reduce competition for limited nutrients. Overall, the study demonstrates that C. procera leaf extract, particularly when integrated with conventional weed control practices, offers a viable and eco-friendly option for improving maize productivity in the Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.

Key words: Allelopathy, Bioherbicides, Integrated Weed Management, Weed Control Efficiency, Sustainable Crop Production

Growth, yield, and salt tolerance of tomato genotypes as influenced by plant growth regulators under saline-sodic soil conditions in Kano, Nigeria

2026-09-08T17:29:20+02:00

Salinity and sodicity are major constraints limiting tomato production in irrigated semi-arid regions of Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 dry seasons at the Kano River Irrigation Scheme to evaluate the response of tomato genotypes to selected plant growth regulators under saline-sodic soil conditions. The treatments consisted of four tomato genotypes (F1 Anaya, F1 Mona, F1 Thorgal, and Roma VF) and four plant growth regulator treatments (control, potassium silicate at 16 g L⁻¹, salicylic acid at 130 mg L⁻¹, and tamarind extract at 8%) arranged in a split plot design with eight replications. Plant growth regulators were assigned to the main plots, while genotypes were allocated to the subplots. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters and subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat and SAS statistical packages. The results revealed significant varietal differences in plant height, leaf area, marketable fruits, and fruit yield during both seasons. Salicylic acid significantly improved fruit yield, producing the highest yields of 5 057 and 14 607 kg ha⁻¹ during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, respectively. Among the genotypes, F1 Mona and F1 Thorgal exhibited superior growth and yield performance under saline-sodic conditions. Significant interaction effects were observed between plant growth regulators and genotypes for marketable fruits, non-marketable fruits, and fruit yield. F1 Thorgal combined with salicylic acid produced the highest fruit yield (17 542 kg ha⁻¹) during the 2021 season. The study concluded that salicylic acid in combination with F1 Mona and F1 Thorgal can effectively enhance tomato productivity under saline-sodic conditions in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.

Keywords: abiotic stress tolerance; phytohormones; foliar application; saline-sodic soils; osmotic adjustment; irrigated agriculture

Quantitative assessment of economic valorization of slaughterhouse waste in pastoral areas of Niger

2026-09-08T17:46:58+02:00

Meat production generates substantial slaughterhouse waste that, if poorly managed, poses environmental and health risks while representing a loss of potentially valuable resources. This study assessed the economic valorization potential of slaughterhouse waste at Tahoua abattoir (Niger). Major by-products - blood, gastrointestinal content, horns, hooves, bile, and cranial bones - were weighed in 30 cattle, 20 camels, 100 sheep, and 100 goats, and willingness to pay for their utilization was estimated among 150 potential users. Gastrointestinal content was the largest waste fraction: 23.5 kg in cattle, 35.9 kg in camels, 3.95 kg in sheep, and 1.0 kg in goats, followed by blood. Age significantly influenced gastrointestinal content in camels. Sex, breed, and category affected certain fractions, particularly gastrointestinal content and horn structures, while other fractions showed minor variations. Economic analysis indicated that only use as fertilizer elicited a positive willingness to pay. These results provide a basis for optimizing the valorization of high-value by-products and improving sustainable slaughterhouse waste management.

Keywords: Animal by-products, Preference model, Economic valuation, Urban slaughterhouse, Niger

Evaluation of Aloe barbadensis gel supplementation on growth performance, survival rate and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

2026-09-08T18:37:27+02:00

This study evaluated the effect of dietary Aloe vera gel supplementation, administered via drinking water at four levels (0.0, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mL), on performance, survival rate, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in a CRD with three replicates per treatment. Growth performance, IBW, FBW, BWG, FI, FCR, and SR showed no statistically significant differences among treatments, although T2 tended toward higher FBW and WG, and T4 recorded the best SR; high within-treatment variability, particularly in FCR, likely limited the detection of these trends. In contrast, Aloe vera gel supplementation significantly affected specific carcass components: shank weight differed highly significantly among treatments, while back, thigh, and leg weights were significantly affected, with the control (T1) consistently producing the heaviest leg-quarter cuts and higher inclusion levels (T3, T4) yielding progressively lower values. Live weight, dressed weight, breast, wing, head, neck, drumstick, and giblet weights were unaffected by treatment. These findings indicate that while Aloe vera gel supplementation at the tested levels did not enhance overall growth performance or survival, inclusion above 5.0 mL was associated with a selective reduction in leg-quarter cut weights, without corresponding effects on total carcass yield.

Keywords: Aloe barbadensis, broiler chickens, feed intake, growth performance, feed conversion ratio

Effect of Aloe barbadensis gel on haematology, mortality rate and behavioural attributes of broiler chickens

2026-09-08T19:09:08+02:00

The study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of Aloe barbadensis M. gel on the haematological, biochemical, and behavioural responses of broiler chickens fed at four dietary levels (T1-T4). Among the haematological indices assessed, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) was the only parameter significantly affected by treatment, with T4 recording the highest value (35.3 mm/hr) and T3 the lowest (30.3 mm/hr); Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) separated the means in the order T4 > T1 > T2 > T3, with T3 significantly lower than T4. All other haematological indices, such as PCV, Hb, WBC, RBC, MCV, MCHC, and the neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte differential counts did not significantly differ among the treatments. Whereas serum conjugated bilirubin was the only highly significant parameter in the serum biochemical assessment, with T1 recording the highest value (1.100 µmol/L), significantly greater than T2, T3, and T4, which did not differ from one another. Electrolytes, kidney function markers (urea, creatinine), liver enzymes (ASAT, ALAT, ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were unaffected by treatment, and all kidney and liver markers remained within normal physiological ranges across treatments. None of the eight behavioural variables assessed differed significantly among treatments, although Feeding and Drinking behaviours showed numerical trends approaching significance. These findings suggest that Aloe barbadensis gel supplementation had a largely neutral effect on the overall haematological, biochemical, and behavioural status of broiler chickens, with isolated effects on MCH and conjugated bilirubin that do not indicate hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic outcomes.

Keywords: Aloe barbadensis M, haematological indices, serum biochemistry, liver enzymes, behavioural responses

Soil property effects on soil-wildlife ecology

2026-09-08T15:10:34+02:00

Soil constitutes the foundational matrix within which terrestrial wildlife populations develop, interact, and persist, yet the mechanistic linkages between soil properties and wildlife ecology remain inadequately synthesized in ecological theory. This comprehensive review examines the multidimensional relationships between soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and wildlife ecological processes across taxonomic groups and ecosystem types. We systematically evaluate evidence for soil effects on wildlife habitat selection, foraging ecology, reproductive success, population dynamics, disease ecology, and community assembly. Our analysis reveals that soil texture and structure fundamentally constrain burrowing mammal distributions, while soil chemistry modulates plant-nutrient-herbivore trophic cascades with cascading effects on predator communities. Soil microbial communities emerge as critical mediators of wildlife health through immune system priming and pathogen suppression. Climate change and anthropogenic soil degradation are altering these interactions with profound implications for conservation. We identify critical knowledge gaps including limited understanding of soil-wildlife feedback loops, insufficient integration of belowground-aboveground ecology in wildlife management, and inadequate representation of tropical systems in current research. This review establishes soil ecology as an essential frontier in wildlife biology and provides a conceptual framework for integrating pedological and ecological approaches in biodiversity conservation.

Keywords: Belowground ecology, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem engineering, Habitat quality, Nutrient cycling, Soil fauna, Trophic cascades, Wildlife management

Quantification of deadwood biomass, carbon stock, and carbon dioxide equivalent across decay classes along the Sobe road dualization corridor, Nigeria

2026-09-08T15:23:06+02:00

Deadwood constitutes an important yet frequently overlooked carbon pool in tropical forest ecosystems, contributing significantly to carbon storage and climate change mitigation. This study quantified deadwood biomass, carbon stock, and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) across three decay classes (Sound, Intermediate, and Rotten) along the Sobe road dualization corridor in Edo State, Nigeria. Using a stratified systematic sampling design, 55 coarse woody debris samples were measured for diameter, length, basal area, and volume. Biomass was estimated using decay-adjusted wood density, while carbon stock and CO₂e were calculated following IPCC guidelines. Sound deadwood recorded the highest mean biomass (0.824 ± 0.645 kg ha⁻¹), carbon stock (0.392 kg C ha⁻¹), and CO₂e (1.440 kg CO₂e ha⁻¹), whereas rotten wood exhibited the lowest values due to advanced decomposition. Biomass differences among decay classes were highly significant. Deadwood volume demonstrated an almost perfect positive relationship with carbon stock, indicating that volume is a reliable predictor of carbon storage. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating decay-class-specific deadwood assessments into forest carbon inventories, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems, and climate mitigation initiatives to improve carbon accounting accuracy in disturbed tropical landscapes.

Keywords: Deadwood, Carbon Stock, Coarse Woody Debris, Carbon Accounting, Tropical Forest, Climate Change Mitigation, CO₂ Equivalent

Ethnopharmacological survey on the traditional use of myrtle (Myrtus communis) in Northwestern Tunisia

2026-09-08T17:44:42+02:00

Situated at the intersection of human and natural sciences, ethnopharmacology focuses on traditional knowledge and its potential for discovering new therapeutic agents. In this context, we conducted an ethnopharmacological survey on the traditional use of myrtle (Myrtus communis) in the Aïn Draham region (North-West Tunisia) to examine the population’s knowledge regarding its medicinal applications. A structured questionnaire with two sections was used: the first covering the demographic profile of participants (age, sex, education level), and the second focusing on the identification and uses of myrtle (parts used, treated ailments, preparation methods, and routes of administration). The data collected revealed that myrtle is widely used as a traditional remedy for various conditions, mainly digestive disorders (50%) and respiratory ailments such as flu and sore throat (34%). The most common preparation methods were maceration (40%), essential oil use (30%), and decoction (15%), while oral administration was the predominant route (90%). According to participants, the leaves were the most frequently used part (55%), followed by fruits and flowers. In conclusion, the information obtained from the inhabitants of Aïn Draham highlights the ethnomedicinal importance of Myrtus communis and provides a valuable foundation for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies aimed at exploring its therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Ethnopharmacology, Traditional medicine, Myrtle, Survey, Tunisia

Biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem services of river confluence zones in west Africa under human and climate impacts

2026-09-08T17:57:49+02:00

River confluence zones are recognized as critical ecological systems, characterized by high spatial heterogeneity, high biological productivity and important socio-economic value for local communities. These environments are critical for West Africa's biodiversity conservation, hydrological regulation and livelihoods. However, they are increasingly threatened by pressures such as climate variability, agricultural expansion, urbanization, over-exploitation of natural resources and hydromorphological alterations. Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, scientific knowledge on their potential flora and fauna and on their ecosystem services is fragmented and insufficiently structured, especially when considering river confluence areas. This systematic review aims at critically reviewing the existing knowledge on biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem services in the light of the anthropogenic and climatic pressures affecting river confluence zones in West Africa. The research strategy is reproducible, based on the Scopus database, and dimensions (1996-2026), and resulted in a final corpus of 52 documents after applying the ROSES protocol. The results show an increasing scientific interest, since 60.9% of the publications were published after 2016. The most reported factors are flood regimes (61.5%) and agriculture (28.4%), while the methodological frameworks are dominated by remote sensing approaches. Key gaps remain on integration of socio-economic dimensions, participatory methods and knowledge on confluence dynamics. These findings emphasize the necessity of shifting the research paradigm to one that is more interdisciplinary and integrated, which is critical for providing the basis for effective conservation policies adapted to the specific challenges facing West African river confluence ecosystems.

Keywords: River Confluence, biodiversity, ecosystem services, West Africa, anthropogenic pressures, climate variability, systematic review, bibliometric analysis

Impact of land use changes on the habitat of the Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) in Lake Chad Basin

2026-09-08T21:14:02+02:00

Sahelian wetlands are undergoing rapid transformation under the combined effects of climate change and human pressures, leading to the progressive degradation of wildlife habitats. This study analyzes the impact of land-use dynamics on the habitat of the Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) in a transboundary area between 1986 and 2026. The methodological approach combines remote sensing, spatial analysis, and phytosociological surveys. Land cover maps were produced from Landsat TM, ETM+, and OLI/TIRS imagery using supervised classification based on the Maximum Likelihood algorithm. Vegetation analysis is based on 54 phytosociological surveys conducted in six land cover units using the Braun-Blanquet sigmatist method. The results show an overall classification accuracy of 83.2% with a Kappa index of 0.81, indicating high reliability of the maps produced. Between 1986 and 2026, shrub savannas (18.1% to 43.7%) and wooded savannas (8.6% to 24.8%) experienced significant expansion, while permanent ponds (24.9% to 1.4%) declined. Transition analyses reveal a progressive conversion of wetlands to savanna formations and human-modified areas. Spatial modeling highlights a concentration of hotspots and ecological corridors in the southwest sector along the Komadougou River. The abundance of the Crowned Crane is significantly linked to environmental variables, including NDVI, NDWI, and distance to water. Phytosociological analysis identifies four distinct plant communities, with wetlands exhibiting the highest floristic diversity. This study shows that wetland degradation and ecological fragmentation constitute major threats to the conservation of Balearica pavonina in the Sahelian landscapes.

Keywords: Spatio-temporal dynamics, Ecological corridors, Niger

Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (Tetracycline and Amoxicillin) against intestinal bacteria isolated from cultured African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria

2026-09-08T18:12:49+02:00

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquaculture systems has become a major concern due to its implications for fish health, ecological sustainability, and public health. This study examined the intestinal bacteria of cultured African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and evaluated the isolates' susceptibility to tetracycline and amoxicillin. A total of nine (9) fish samples were randomly obtained from three (3) fish farms within Katsina metropolis, Nigeria. Intestinal contents of the fish were aseptically collected, and the bacterial isolates observed were identified using colony morphology, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Eleven (11) bacterial isolates were identified, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Proteus mirabilis. A significant number of the isolates exhibited resistance to amoxicillin, whereas higher levels of susceptibility were observed for tetracycline.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, intestinal bacteria, antibiotic resistance, tetracycline, amoxicillin, aquaculture

In vitro antibacterial activity and GC–MS profiling of ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua against Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from Clarias gariepinus

2026-09-08T18:25:26+02:00

Aeromonas hydrophila is an important bacterial pathogen of cultured fish and is associated with motile Aeromonas septicemia and economic losses in aquaculture. The increasing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance has encouraged the evaluation of plant-derived alternatives. This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity and chemical profile of an ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua against A. hydrophila isolated from Clarias gariepinus in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. Clarias gariepinus showing clinical signs compatible with bacterial disease were collected from selected fish farms and markets in Dutsin-Ma and processed under aseptic conditions. The bacterial isolate was identified by cultural morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests including oxidase, catalase, indole, motility, urease, and Triple Sugar Iron reactions. A. annua leaves were authenticated, air-dried, powdered, and extracted with 99% ethanol at a 1:5 (weight/volume) ratio using a rotary evaporator. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to characterize compounds detected in the extract. GC–MS profiling identified 28 library-assigned compounds. The most abundant detected compounds were 3-dibenzofuranamine (24.0 %), 4-dibenzofuranamine (19.2%), a limonene isomer (9.44%), and 3,5-heptanedione, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- (10.1%). Antibacterial activity was assessed by agar well diffusion, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by broth dilution and subculture, respectively. The isolate displayed the expected phenotypic profile of A. hydrophila: Gram-negative rod, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, indole-positive, motile, TSI-positive, and urease-negative. The extract inhibited A. hydrophila at the highest concentration tested, with an MIC of 100 mg/mL; no MBC was recorded within the tested range. Thus, the extract was demonstrated to have a bacteriostatic rather than a demonstrably bactericidal effect under the conditions used. Ethanolic A. annua extract showed potential as a plant-derived antibacterial candidate against A. hydrophila. The findings support further standardized phytochemical confirmation, dose optimization, toxicity assessment, and in vivo evaluation before practical application in aquaculture.

Keywords: Artemisia annua; Aeromonas hydrophila; Clarias gariepinus; antibacterial activity

Determinants of the intensity of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder millet farmers in Jigawa state, Nigeria

2026-09-08T15:41:50+02:00

This study examines the determinants of the intensity of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs) among smallholder millet farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. While previous studies have largely focused on the adoption or impact of CSAPs on food security, limited attention has been given to the frequency and intensity of usage of these practices. Using primary data collected from 262 smallholder millet farmers through a multistage sampling technique, the study constructed a composite CSAP intensity index based on the frequency of use of 13 climate-smart practices measured on a 4-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression analysis were employed to identify factors influencing the intensity of CSAP usage. The results revealed that the majority of farmers were medium users of CSAPs, indicating partial integration of climate-smart practices into farming systems. The Tobit regression results showed that education, farm size, household income, access to extension services, and cooperative membership positively and significantly influenced the intensity of CSAP usage, while age and household size exhibited mixed effects. The study concludes that socio-economic and institutional factors play a critical role not just in the adoption, but in the sustained and frequent use of CSAPs. It recommends strengthening extension services, improving access to credit, and promoting farmer-based organizations to enhance the intensity of CSAP usage and improve agricultural resilience.

Keywords: Climate smart agriculture practices, determinants, smallholders, adoption, Nigeria