Monday, February 17, 2025
African research, science and scholarly  news
HomeRESEARCH PAPERSEnhancing Public Higher Education Infrastructure in Nigeria: An Expanded Corporate Social Responsibility...

Enhancing Public Higher Education Infrastructure in Nigeria: An Expanded Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Achieving SDG 4

A recent study by Ebekozien et al. (2025) titled “Expanded corporate social responsibility framework: companies’ role in improving higher education institutions infrastructure to Sustainable Development Goal 4” published in the Journal of Facilities Management, reveals the critical issue of inadequate infrastructure in public higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries, particularly Nigeria.

An expanded corporate social responsibility framework can improve public higher education infrastructure to achieve SDG 4.– XXX et al., 2023

The article explores the challenges of funding infrastructure in public higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries, with a focus on Nigeria. It proposes an expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR) framework to encourage private investment in HEIs infrastructure. The study aims to improve physical facilities in HEIs and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on quality education. The article presents findings from virtual interviews across Nigeria and suggests measures to enhance public HEIs infrastructure through ECSR, including institutionalizing ECSR, creating incentives, and involving key stakeholders.

How the Study was Conducted

The study employed a qualitative research approach, gathering data through semi-structured virtual interviews with 26 participants from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. Participants included directors and senior officers from physical planning departments at selected polytechnics and universities, heads of CSR units or management staff from selected companies, and policymakers from government agencies. Each interview lasted an average of 40 minutes, conducted between October and early December 2021. The researchers used thematic analysis to examine the data, generating codes manually from the interview transcripts. Two coding phases were applied: open coding followed by rereading the transcripts to identify key variables. The findings were presented thematically, with the data’s validity ensured through triangulation, researcher reflexivity, and member checking.

What the Authors Found

The authors identified 18 measures, grouped into six key variables, to improve public higher education institutions’ infrastructure. These measures, which include expanding corporate social responsibility, increasing awareness, providing incentives, creating national action plans, establishing a legal framework, and ensuring key stakeholders’ participation, can enhance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education.

Why is this important?

Quality Education: Improved infrastructure in HEIs is essential for providing quality education, which is a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). Adequate facilities can enhance the learning environment, leading to better educational outcomes and higher global rankings for institutions.

Sustainable Development: Investing in HEIs infrastructure contributes to sustainable development by ensuring that educational institutions can support the growing demand for higher education and produce graduates who are well-equipped to contribute to the economy.

Private Sector Involvement: The ECSR framework provides a structured approach for involving the private sector in public infrastructure development. This can help bridge the funding gap that many HEIs face and ensure that infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Policy and Governance: The study highlights the need for institutionalizing ECSR, creating incentives, and involving key stakeholders. This can lead to better governance and more effective implementation of infrastructure projects.

Economic Growth: Improved HEIs infrastructure can have a positive impact on economic growth by producing a more skilled workforce and attracting international research funding and collaborations.

What the Authors Recommended

The authors recommend several measures to improve public higher education institutions (HEIs) infrastructure through an expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR) framework. These recommendations include:

  • The study advocates establishing governance mechanisms, promoting institutional synergy among stakeholders, and implementing innovative policies to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).
  • The authors recommend enhancing sensitization of public HEIs infrastructure via ECSR, with the government leading awareness campaigns and engaging stakeholders to embrace ECSR for HEIs.
  • Offering tax incentives, mortgage incentives, and reduced taxes or duty-free on imported HEIs building materials to encourage companies to invest in HEIs infrastructure.
  • Developing white papers on the benefits of HEIs infrastructure via ECSR, encouraging state governments to embrace ECSR for state-owned HEIs, and ensuring the government champions and respects the rule of law.
  • Enacting ECSR supported by presidential executive orders, promoting public HEIs infrastructure to achieve SDG 4, and regularly reviewing the framework in line with global trends.
  • Defining principles and honesty of engagement, detailing stakeholders’ expectations and values, and engaging politicians and policymakers regarding ECSR.

In conclusion, the study highlights the critical need for improved infrastructure in public higher education institutions in developing countries like Nigeria to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education. By adopting an expanded corporate social responsibility (ECSR) framework, the private sector can play a pivotal role in addressing funding gaps, while government policies and stakeholder engagement ensure effective implementation. The recommended strategies, including incentives and institutional synergy, can foster a sustainable approach to enhancing educational infrastructure. Ultimately, these efforts will not only elevate the quality of education but also contribute to economic growth, social development, and the overall advancement of higher education in Nigeria and beyond.

Cite this article as (APA format):

AR Managing Editor (2025). Enhancing Public Higher Education Infrastructure in Nigeria: An Expanded Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Achieving SDG 4. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/enhancing-public-higher-education-infrastructure-in-nigeria-an-expanded-corporate-social-responsibility-framework-for-achieving-sdg-4/

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share your research

Share your research with African Researchers Magazine
Share your research with African Researchers Magazine

Share Your Research Findings

- Advertisment -

Most Popular