Abstract
This paper examines the evolving role of Nigerian universities in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on the institutionalization of partnerships with governments and communities. While evidence indicates that over 90% of Nigerian higher education institutions are aware of the SDGs and more than 80% are familiar with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this awareness has not consistently translated into systematic institutional action. Many universities still treat SDG implementation as a governmental responsibility, resulting in fragmented, ad hoc initiatives with limited long-term impact. Nonetheless, emerging models—such as SDSN Nigeria at the University of Ibadan, Ebonyi State University’s Directorate of Research and Innovation, CIFAL Nigeria at Rivers State University, and Afe Babalola University’s Hydrogen Research Institute—demonstrate how universities can integrate sustainability into curricula, research, governance, and community outreach. The paper identifies six critical barriers constraining the transformative role of Nigerian universities: chronic underfunding and bureaucratic bottlenecks, regulatory rigidity, capacity gaps, misaligned academic incentive structures, power imbalances in partnerships, and risks of partisan political interference. Drawing on Nigerian and international literature, it argues that addressing these challenges requires systemic reforms that embed partnerships into the core functions of universities. Recommendations include establishing a joint SDG Innovation Fund, reforming regulatory frameworks, investing in staff and student capacity building, aligning academic reward systems with developmental engagement, institutionalizing participatory governance mechanisms with communities, and safeguarding university neutrality through ethical guidelines and independent monitoring. The study concludes that by institutionalizing partnerships and aligning their mandates with societal needs, Nigerian universities can move beyond rhetorical awareness of the SDGs to become anchor institutions for sustainable development—bridging the gap between knowledge, policy, and practice, and accelerating Nigeria’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda.