Managing Innovative University Education for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria

Abstract

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) have become widespread as several countries have embraced them. The aim of this paper is to examine how innovative Nigerian university education can be achieved for sustainable development in Nigeria. Thus, the paper focuses on SDG 9 which is the goal of industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The world today is a digitalised world characterised by digital technology and infrastructure and it is necessary for 21st-century students to keep up with these modern-day digital practices. SDGs have been set up by the United Nations to improve the living standards of the people in the world despite differences in class, religion, economy, race, and other factors that usually cause division between people. These sustainable development goals can be achieved through university education which is known for imparting knowledge, values and discipline to students and shaping them to become future leaders. The roles of Nigerian universities in achieving innovative university education for sustainable development as well as the challenges impeding the advancement of innovative university education in Nigerian universities, were examined to include lack of technological knowledge, inadequate funding, inadequate e-learning, and ICT facilities, amongst others. It was concluded that there is a need for Nigerian universities to develop innovative infrastructure so as to achieve sustainable development in Nigerian universities, as this will enable students to compete with their peers globally. The way forward to these issues would be adequate funding, provision and proper maintenance of e-learning and internet facilities, and proper management of resources, amongst others.