EVALUATING SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, NIGERIA

This study evaluates the levels of awareness regarding sanitation and environmental sustainability among undergraduate students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Nigeria. Against a backdrop of escalating environmental degradation and public health challenges in Nigeria, universities are pivotal in fostering the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours necessary for a sustainable future. This paper adopts a mixed-methods research design to comprehensively assess students' awareness, incorporating a quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussions. The quantitative component aimed to measure environmental knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices related to waste management and sanitation, while the qualitative part seeks to explore the underlying perceptions and contextual factors influencing these behaviours. The study posits that while students may possess a general awareness of environmental issues, significant gaps likely exist between knowledge and practice, influenced by factors such as inadequate campus infrastructure, curriculum deficiencies, and sociocultural norms. Findings from existing literature suggest that environmental education, through both curricular and extra-curricular activities, can positively influence student behaviour, yet its implementation in Nigerian higher education remains inconsistent. This paper synthesizes current research on student environmental awareness in Nigeria, sanitation challenges in university settings, and effective pedagogical strategies. It concludes by highlighting the urgent need for Nigerian universities to integrate comprehensive sustainability education into their curricula and operations, thereby empowering students to become active agents of change. Recommendations include curriculum reform, investment in green campus initiatives, and strengthening university-community engagement to address local environmental challenges.