Advancing Environmental Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education in Nigeria: Current Challenges and Future Directions

Abstract

The important roles of environmental education (EE) as a tool for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been clearly identified in national policy visions and guidelines in Nigeria. Despite this increasing recognition however, the implementation and delivery of EE programs remain adversely impacted by a wide range of practical implementation challenges. While a number of existing studies have compiled the importance of EE for advancing the SDGs, a detailed examination of the law and governance challenges that limit the implementation of EE programs in Nigeria has remained absent. This article fills a gap in this regard. Various legal and institutional challenges that arise with the design and implementation of EE programs in Nigeria are examined in order to identify the ways in which an integrative governance framework on EE can help close these gaps. The study suggests that an elaboration of coherent national strategy on EE; a dedicated budgetary allocation for EE programs; reform of the existing laws to ensure coherent implementation of EE programs; and the designation of focal EE units at higher education institution are significant steps towards improving the development and implementation of EE programs in Nigeria.