Partnership for the Goals
17.1 Overview
Covenant University has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. Through diverse initiatives and strategic collaborations, Covenant University has made significant strides in fostering partnerships, engaging stakeholders, and promoting sustainable development. This report highlights the university’s contributions to SDG 17, showcasing its efforts in policy engagement, research, capacity building, and community development.
17.2.1 Input into National Government and Regional SDG Policy Development
Covenant University actively provides direct and evidence-based input into national policy formulation and SDG strategy development.
Our primary mechanism is the Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), which hosts the annual National Budget Roundtable (NBR). This event serves as a platform for robust, multi-stakeholder dialogue, bringing together academia, presidential advisors, cabinet ministers, civil society, and international partners to shape national fiscal policy to align with the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2025 NBR featured the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as the keynote speaker, addressing poverty reduction in the era of energy transitions.
Furthermore, the university ensures direct technical input: Prof. David Olukanni, a faculty member, serves as a Council Member on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). This position provides input into regulatory frameworks and standards that impact national infrastructure and sustainable practices.
Covenant University’s Prof. David Olukanni was recently appointed as a Council Member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) during the 2024 COREN Assembly. Covenant University trusts that his appointment will lead to positive influence on national engineering standards and practices.
17.2.2 Initiating and Participating in Cross-Sectoral Dialogue
Covenant University exemplifies institutional excellence in initiating and participating in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs, regularly convening stakeholders from government, NGOs, and the private sector.
The annual CEPDeR National Budget Roundtable is a flagship event, now in its 7th year, which facilitates crucial conversations between policymakers, civil society, and international partners (such as the University of Warwick). The 2025 edition focused on national budgeting as a critical tool for reducing poverty and inequalities.
P 17.2.2. Recent Grant Writing Webinars
17.2.3 International Collaboration on SDG Data Gathering and Measurement
The university actively participates in international collaborations focused on gathering and measuring data for the SDGs, particularly in health and agriculture.
Our primary vehicle for this is the World Bank-funded Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), which contributes vital genomic data from African populations on critical issues like cancer and malaria.
In food security (SDG 2), the Covenant University Hub of the West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) Program organized a train-the-trainer workshop. This initiative trained 30 agricultural extension officers from six southwestern states of Nigeria in systematic surveillance and digital data collection protocols (using the ‘kobocollect’ application) for cassava viral diseases. The aim is to build local capacity for data collection and establish a plant health database, preventing the spread of threats like Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD).
Our institutional memberships (e.g., Association of Commonwealth Universities) further ensure that our engagements contribute to a global data partnership essential for the SDGs.
17.2.4 International Best Practices through Collaboration and Research
Covenant University is strategically committed to developing and disseminating international best practices through research and collaboration.
We maintain active partnerships with premier global institutions, including Ruhr West University of Applied Science (HRW), Germany; University of Warwick, UK; and Nottingham Trent University, UK. These collaborations often involve faculty and student visits to strengthen ties and share knowledge.
A major highlight is our role in convening thought leadership events:
- The university co-hosted The Education Collaborative’s 2025 June Convening alongside Ashesi University and the University of Embu in Kigali, Rwanda. This event brought together African educational leaders to discuss and promote innovative practices focused on collaboration and ethical leadership.
- Our Vice-Chancellor’s participation at the 2025 THE World Academic Summit positions us as a key thought leader in higher education best practices.
Furthermore, the WAVE Program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, exemplifies our capacity to translate international research frameworks into tangible local impact across West Africa.
Covenant University’s contributions to SDG 17 reflect its commitment to fostering partnerships that drive sustainable development. Through policy engagement, capacity building, innovative research, community service, and strategic collaborations, the university is playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges. By leveraging its expertise and resources, Covenant University continues to advance the SDG agenda, contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future for Africa and beyond.
17.2.5 Collaboration with NGOs to Tackle the SDGs
Covenant University deeply integrates collaboration with NGOs and other non-government bodies across three core areas: volunteering, research, and resource development.
- Student Volunteering Programmes: The i-Serve campus volunteering platform mobilizes students and staff for medical outreaches, literacy drives, and training initiatives that directly address the SDGs in the community.
- Research Programmes: We collaborate with partners like The Education Collaborative to facilitate essential capacity building, such as the grant-writing workshop for West African researchers, enhancing their ability to secure funding for SDG-focused projects.
- Educational Resources: Strategic partnerships with global industry leaders, such as Cisco Networking Academy and Microsoft, provide transformative educational resources, digital literacy training, and certifications, equipping students with skills necessary for decent work (SDG 8). Additionally, the university works with NGOs like the International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) for collaborative training.