Vol. 2, July, 2024

Innovative Research Approach to Economics Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education in Nigeria: A Situation Analysis

Abidat Oluwashola MOHAMMED, Henry Adewale ODUNAYO

Abstract

Sustainable development has emerged as a critical global imperative, demanding higher education
institutions to impart knowledge and skills necessary for addressing contemporary economic and
societal challenges. This research paper presented a comprehensive situation analysis of innovative
research approaches to economics education for sustainable development in higher education
institutions in Nigeria. This is done by systematically reviewing peer-reviewed articles, policy
documents, and educational reports. The literature review delves into the existing pedagogical practices,
educational policies, and initiatives aimed at integrating sustainable development principles into
economics curricula. The findings revealed that while there is a growing awareness of the importance
of sustainable development in the context of economics education in Nigeria, the actual implementation
of these principles remained limited. Most economics programmes lack dedicated courses on sustainable
development topics, with the curriculum predominantly centred around traditional economic theories
and concepts. However, the literature also highlights pockets of innovation and best practices within
certain higher education institutions, where sustainable development is actively embraced as a core
component of economics education. To address the identified gaps and capitalise on the opportunities,
this research offered these recommendations among others. Firstly, higher education institutions should
revise their economics curricula to incorporate sustainable development topics, fostering critical
thinking and problem-solving skills related to economic and environmental challenges. Secondly,
collaborations between academia, government bodies, and industry should be fostered to give students
practical experiences and exposure to sustainable economic practices.

Keywords

Economics Education, Innovative Research, Higher Education, Sustainable Development

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