Universities urged to adopt ESG framework to strengthen teaching, learning

As the world grapples with climate change, resource depletion, technological disruption and other emerging challenges, universities must adopt long-term planning and position themselves to educate future leaders while generating knowledge that supports national and global development, a lecturer has said. 

Also, universities across Nigeria have been urged to embrace Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles as a strategic framework for sustainable development and institutional transformation.

The call was made on Thursday by Dr Adesoji Tayo while delivering the fifth College Lecture of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at Osun State University, Osogbo.

Speaking on the theme, “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Towards Sustainability: Role of the University,” Tayo said ESG implementation requires deliberate planning, phased execution, measurable indicators, periodic evaluation, stakeholder participation and continuous improvement.

According to him, “the three pillars of ESG are environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance and institutional integrity, which he described as critical to achieving sustainability goals within higher education institutions.”

Tayo said universities that embrace ESG principles would strengthen teaching and learning, research and innovation, community engagement, institutional competitiveness, as well as global partnerships and rankings.

He expressed optimism that ESG would provide a coordinated framework for academic excellence, digital transformation, smart governance, financial sustainability, resource mobilisation, human capital development and sustainable campus infrastructure.

The lecturer also encouraged universities to deploy Artificial Intelligence for productivity measurement and to adapt useful innovations from other countries to local realities.

As part of efforts to recognise the transformative role of universities in advancing sustainable development, Tayo proposed the adoption of the Òṣogbo Declaration on ESG and Sustainable Universities.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, described the lecture as an important milestone in the institution’s collective pursuit of academic excellence and sustainable development.

Adebooye said the lecture theme was a clarion call for universities to lead by example, adding that UNIOSUN would remain at the forefront of sustainable development initiatives.

He disclosed that the university had established a Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute and would continue to strengthen research in renewable energy. 

He also encouraged the university community to sustain the college lecture series, describing it as a foundation for intellectual discourse and academic excellence.