Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), a leading institution in Nigeria, is committed to contributing to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2023, through international collaborations, research partnerships, and data sharing, ABUAD plays a vital role in addressing pressing societal challenges.
ABUAD’s SDG Data Gathering Involvement
ABUAD is engaging in various ways, including:
- Research and Conference Partnerships: Collaborating with international organizations, governments, and other universities to advance SDG-related research.
- Data Sharing: Contributing to global datasets and repositories to inform SDG policy decisions.
- Methodology Development: Improving data collection and analysis methods to enhance SDG monitoring.
- Capacity Building: Training and educating researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders on SDG-related issues.
- Policy Engagement: Informing SDG-related policy decisions through research and expertise.
Some of ABUAD International Collaborations on SDG Data Gathering
ABUAD has established partnerships with international organizations, including:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- World Bank.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- UNESCO on Entrepreneurship Education and Sustainable Development
- UNESCO on Sustainable Peace and Citizenship
- Association of African Universities (AAU)
- United Nations Academic Impact
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solution Networks
- Global Network of Human Rights and Environment
- IUCN Academy of Environmental Law
- Office of the Sustainable Developmewnt Goals, Nigeria
- AASHE/STARS
ABUAD has launched several initiatives to support SDG data gathering achievement, including:
- ABUAD Sustainable Development Centre: Focusing on research, training, and community engagement. This is done in partnership with Trinity Western University, Canada, the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Nigeria, and the International Law Association
- ABUAD Climate Change Research Group: Addressing climate-related SDGs.
- ABUAD Hydrogen Research Institute: To research clean and green hydrogen renewable energy
- ABUAD Health and Wellness Centre: Promoting access to quality and affordable healthcare access
- ABUAD Transnational Education: Promoting access to lifelong learning through quality and affordable education. This is done in partnership with King’s College, London
- ABUAD Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture: This is done in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and AfricaRice
- Afe Babalola Agricultural Expo (ABAEX) for Young People and Farmers Empowerment on Food Security. This is achieved in partnership with UNESCO as a UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship Education and Sustainable Development
- ABUAD Peace, Justice, and Citizenship Centre: This is done in partnership with UNESCO and Nigeria Army’s Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre
ABUAD Data Platforms and Initiatives
ABUAD contributes to key open data repositories and data platforms, develops capacity and initiatives through training SDG practitioners and policymakers, and informs policy by ensuring research informs SDG-related policy decisions through providing data to the following: the SDG Indicators Global Database, the World Bank’s Open Data Platform, and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). It also includes all the bodies listed on the platform below.
Conclusion
Afe Babalola University is committed to advancing the SDGs through international collaboration, research, and data sharing. By working with global partners, ABUAD is driving progress toward a more sustainable future for Nigeria and the world.
For more information on ABUAD’s SDG Data Gathering initiatives, please contact:
Dr. Adebayo Ogundipe
bosundipe@abuad.edu.ng
Global Network of Human Rights and Environment
ABUAD has continued to be a member of the Global Network of Human Rights and Environment “a global network of thinkers, researchers, policy-makers, opinion-formers and community activists whose diversity forges new conversations and relationships.”
IUCN Academy of Environmental Law
ABUAD has continued to be a member of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, a global network of universities that work together “in building environmental law education capacity and promoting the conceptual development of environmental law”
The network aims to advance environmental law education as a tool for sustainable development.
ABUAD continues strong record of international collaboration for SDGs through its membership of the United Nations Academic Impact
Since joining the UNAI in 2018, ABUAD has continued to advance international cooperation with universities across the world to develop joint programs in key areas relating to the SDGs. The membership still continue in year 2022.
SDSN Network in Nigeria
Since joining the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Nigeria in 2016 and up until 2023, ABUAD’’s Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES Institute) has continued to play leading roles in mobilizing cross-sectoral dialogue across Nigeria to promote practical SDG solutions. In same vein ABUAD as a University body has also been accepted to into the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Below are the links:
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
In 2023, ABUAD has continued to be a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and its program of Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). The Link is as follows:
ABUAD Acceptance into the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability (AASHE)
ABUAD is only University in Nigeria that is endowed with two (2) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chairs. They are as follows: The UNESCO Chair on Peace and Citizenship and The UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship Education for Sustainable Development. In 2023, ABUAD renewed the 2 UNESCO Chairs and continues with their operation with better operational efficiencies.