EVALUATING THE LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AMONG NIGERIAN STUDENTS: THE CASE OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

Abstract

Environment is the basis of all life and therefore deserves proper care and management. Environmental education may best be defined as a process directed at creating awareness and understanding about environmental issues that leads to responsible individual and group actions. Environmental education becomes very important for the provision of the expertise that can utilize scientific knowledge towards the preservation and solution of environmental problems. Knowledge about the changes that have altered the environment are essential components of environmental education. Most studies on the importance of environmental education conclude that its impact is yet to be felt significantly in Nigerian schools. The study investigated the level of environmental education among Nigerian students using the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, University of Ilorin as a case study. Through questionnaire administration and oral interview, data were collected on students’ knowledge of environmental problems and effects, man-environment relationships, and the factors working against adequate environmental education among students. The study revealed that an average of 69% of the students was aware of man-environment relationship and environmental problems but not aware of environmental education because only few students offered courses that are environmentally inclined. The study therefore, recommends that environmental education should be included in the curriculum of all programmes in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Indeed, this should even begin from the primary schools so that pupils and students can understand the environment and imbibe the culture of protecting it for the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria.