The 5th Annual Conference of Association of West African Universities (AWAU) opened on Monday in Niamey, Niger Republic, with a call on all members to share ideas and values towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A statement by the Director, Media and Publicity, National Open University of Nigeria, Ibrahim Sheme said the conference, with the theme, "Attaining the SDGs: Roles of Universities," asked universities to earn trust by sharing expertise and live up to the expectations of achieving the (SDGs.
Chairman of the association, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin said though education appeared among the goals, none of the goals can be achieved without education.
He said, "Without universities, not only education but the entire SDGs will be a complete nullity."
He said that universities have a significant role to play at the level of providing leadership, fostering partnership, developing human capacity, increasing research, create awareness and promoting knowledge.
He urged member universities that their teachings, research and community services should be seen as one adding value to the society.
