Introduction: Peer review is essential for preserving the calibre and integrity of scientific research, and the NJRI acknowledges this. Our peer-review procedure is designed to maintain impartiality, fairness, and confidentiality while ensuring a thorough assessment of submitted manuscripts. The main steps in our peer review procedure are described in this document.

Submission: Authors use our online submission method to submit electronically, following the formatting and journal rules. Sometimes, submission may be done offline via email - njrieditor@unilag.edu.ng.

Initial Evaluation: To ensure the paper meets the journal's scope, formatting requirements, and ethical standards, the editorial team conducts an initial evaluation upon submission. After passing this preliminary assessment, manuscripts move on to the peer review phase.

Assignment to Reviewers: Depending on their experience and the manuscript's topic, the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor selects the best reviewers for the work. Reviewers are chosen for their objectivity and expertise on the topic. 

Peer Review: The paper is critically evaluated by reviewers who consider its originality, significance, methodology, clarity, and ethical compliance. They help raise the calibre of the text by offering the authors constructive criticism and suggestions.

Editor's Decision: The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor decides on the manuscript based on the reviewers' comments. Among the options are: 

• Acceptance: Without any changes, the manuscript is approved for publication.
• Minor Revisions: To address specific issues raised by the reviewers, the paper needs slight revisions.
• Major Revisions: To address serious errors or shortcomings, the manuscript requires significant revision. 
• Rejection: The paper is not accepted for publication because it does not meet the journal's requirements. 

Revision: If the authors receive a request for revisions, they make the necessary changes to the article based on the reviewers' comments and send in the updated version with a letter explaining the changes. 

Re-review (If Required): When significant changes are made, the manuscript may undergo a second round of peer review to ensure the authors have sufficiently addressed the reviewers' concerns.

Final Decision: After considering the reviewers' feedback and the updated manuscript, the Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor renders the final decision. The manuscript is approved for publication if it satisfies the journal's requirements. If not, it can be rejected or sent back to the writers for further editing. 

Publication: Accepted manuscripts are typeset, copyedited, and ready for the journal's next issue. The scientific community can view the authors' work, and the authors inform them of the publication timetable.