IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 11 NO. 6 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no6.2025.pg248.268

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Integration of Education for Sustainable Development in Nigerian Universities: Empirical Evidence from Universities in South-East Zone, Nigeria

Chukwu E Udensi, PhD, Kalu O Okwuagwu, PhD and, Magnus M Ofondu, PhD

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Abstract

Globally, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have continued to grapple with the sustainability challenge facing mankind. Through a number of initiatives HEIs have shown commitment to the actualization of the United Nation’s SDGs and Agenda 2030. However, discernible differences exist in the level of success by HEIs generally. Based on cross-sectional survey and content analysis of websites materials, this study focused on: the identification of the sustainability maturity stage of universities in South-East zone, Nigeria; the instrumentality of ESD declaration/charter and membership of university associations to ESD adoption; Equally whether there are staff perceptual differences of ESD barriers among the universities. The hypotheses were tested with Pearson correlation and independent t-test statistical tools. The study revealed that the universities are predominantly at the initial stage of Sari et al’s sustainability model; there is no significant difference in staff perception of ESD barriers among the universities; ESD declaration/charter has significant influence on a university’s ESD performance; and membership of a university association correlates with commitment to sustainable development goals. The study concludes that the ESD institutional framework of universities in the zone is weak and therefore recommends that in recognition of the fact that the responsibility for the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs lie squarely with the Government, universities need targeted support and incentives to build a strong institutional framework and strengthen their commitment to the SDGs. In addition, regulatory agencies like the NUC should develop and incorporate sustainability performance criteria into accreditation and university ranking protocols.

keywords:

Education for sustainable development; Sustainability; Sustainable development

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