KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AMONG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addresses the global challenges we face and is related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. The goals interconnect and each goal and target must be achieved by 2030. The study contributes to providing insights into the knowledge, awareness and perception of Agricultural College Students in Niger State, Nigeria regarding Sustainable Development Goals. A simple random sampling procedure was used in the selection of the five hundred and eighteen (518) respondents. Primary data were obtained on respondents' characteristics and their knowledge, awareness and perception of Sustainable Development Goals through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that the mean age and family size of students were 25 years and 3 persons respectively while 75.5% of the respondents were male. The respondents have a piece of good knowledge (x̅= 3.36), somewhat aware (x̅= 2.91) and neutrally perceived (x̅= 3.45) the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. It was recommended that students should be taught and be educated on the Sustainable Development Goals through teaching, information dissemination media and campaigns to improve their knowledge, create more awareness, develop positive perception and help them understand their roles in the fulfilment of the ongoing Sustainable Development Goals agenda.