THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A FUNCTIONALIST THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
Education is one of the fundamental tools of sustainable economic development. No nation can achieve sustainable economic development without investment in human capital. Higher quality education with its associate technology and innovations is advancing society more than ever. However, despite this tremendous change, there are many parts of developing world that are unable to adapt to the momentum of change and struggle to increase their GDP and provide for impoverished sectors of their societies. Poor quality education, especially in developing countries has been blamed for the general underdevelopment. This study sought to examines the Role of Higher Education in Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria. Functionalist theoretical perspective was used as a corner stone in analyzing the study. The study indicates that higher education is a cardinal tool for sustainable economic growth and development that create a quality workforce, instills in individuals the value of achievement, promote life learning, support business and industries, carryout research and promote technologies as well as innovations. Higher education enhances upward socio economic mobility and is an instrument of escaping poverty and unemployment. It is recommended that Government should strengthen the educational systems in order to ensure that they are equipped with good quality facilities, teaching learning materials, conducive learning environment, well trained personnel, research equipment and adequate research funds. More so, Government at all levels should empower its citizens through education and make education it utmost priority. The study concludes that higher education Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies (SGOJAHDS) Vol.3 No.2 June, 2020; p.g. 276 284; ISSN: 26952319 (Print) ISSN: 2695 2327 (Online) THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA. 277 should be given greater attention by the Government to become a powerful tool to make the citizens become the catalyst of positive change since a strong education system broadens access to knowledge, opportunities, improves health and eradicate poverty and provides the skills people need to thrive in the new sustainable economy.