ABSTRACT
This study examines the role of accounting education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria. The focus of the research is on four key factors: curriculum design, teaching methodologies, industry partnerships, and student awareness of SDGs and their relevance to accounting practices. A survey approach was used to gather data from accounting students and educators across the university of benin.. The study aimed to assess how these factors influence the effectiveness of accounting education in promoting sustainability practices within the profession.
The findings indicate that all four factors—curriculum design, teaching methodologies, industry partnerships, and student awareness—positively impact the ability of accounting education to achieve SDGs. Specifically, a curriculum that integrates sustainability principles, innovative teaching methodologies, strong industry collaborations, and high student awareness of SDGs significantly contributes to the alignment of accounting education with global sustainability goals. The results also highlight the importance of incorporating real-world experiences and technology in teaching to enhance students’ understanding of sustainability in accounting.
Regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses, significant relationships were found between curriculum design, teaching methodologies, industry partnerships, and student awareness, and the achievement of SDGs in accounting education. Therefore, study rejects all four null hypotheses, confirming that these factors play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of accounting education in contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.
The study concludes with recommendations for accounting institutions to update curricula to incorporate more SDG-related content, adopt interactive and technology-based teaching methodologies, strengthen industry partnerships, and increase student awareness of sustainability. These steps are crucial in preparing future accountants to effectively contribute to sustainable development. Additionally, the study suggests areas for further research to include exploring the impact of institutional leadership and conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effects of SDG integration in accounting education.
