KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AMONG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract:Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
addresses the global challenges we face and is related to poverty, inequality,
climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. The goals
interconnect and each goal and target must be achieved by 2030. The study
contributes to providing insights into the knowledge, awareness and perception
of Agricultural College Students in Niger State, Nigeria regarding Sustainable
Development Goals. A simple random sampling procedure was used in the selection
of the five hundred and eighteen (518) respondents. Primary data were obtained
on respondents' characteristics and their knowledge, awareness and perception
of Sustainable Development Goals through the use of a structured questionnaire.
Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that the
mean age and family size of students were 25 years and 3 persons respectively
while 75.5% of the respondents were male. The respondents have a piece of good
knowledge (x̅ = 3.36), somewhat aware (x̅ = 2.91) and neutrally perceived (x̅ =
3.45) the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. It was recommended that
students should be taught and be educated on the Sustainable Development Goals
through teaching, information dissemination media and campaigns to improve
their knowledge, create more awareness, develop positive perception and help
them understand their roles in the fulfilment of the ongoing Sustainable
Development Goals agenda.