IMPACT OF FUNDING ETHICAL AND VALUES EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: PERSPECTIVE OF SOME SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of funding on the implementation of ethical and values education in selected universities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, addressing a critical gap in existing research. The Nigerian education sector faces significant funding deficiencies, with only 7.85% of the national budget allocated to education, far below UNESCO's recommended 15-20%. The study aims to examine how funding influences ethical education, assess challenges related to inadequate funding, and evaluate the contribution of ethical education to sustainable national development. Employing a mixedmethods research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis. The population consists of 2,500 individuals, including faculty members, university administrators, students, and policymakers, with a sample size of 350 respondents determined through Cochran’s formula. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, semistructured interviews, and secondary data analysis. The findings revealed that funding significantly impacts the implementation of ethical and values education, with a mean score of 3.87 indicating strong agreement among respondents. Challenges identified include a lack of trained educators and insufficient teaching materials. Furthermore, ethical education is shown to contribute positively to sustainable national development, with a mean score of 4.25. The study concludes that increased financial investment in ethical education is essential for fostering moral leadership and social responsibility, ultimately enhancing Nigeria's governance and development. Policymakers are urged to prioritize funding for ethical education to cultivate a morally conscious generation capable of driving national progress.