Achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four (4) in Africa: Spotlighting the role of quality education and innovation orientation

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has damaged the global economy and business ecosystem. Also, quality education and skills mismatch have become critical in today’s working environment post-COVID-19. Furthermore, one of the 17 Global Goals comprising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is quality education, yet Africa pays less attention to this and its impact in the workplace and organizations. This study, therefore, examined the effects of quality education on the innovation orientation of selected consumer goods companies listed in Nigeria and their role in achieving SDGs in Nigeria, the most populous and largest economy in Africa. Findings showed that quality education had a significant effect on innovation orientation. This study recommends that management and stakeholders consider the benefits of quality education in innovation and innovation orientation and, therefore, channel resources to achieve and align with Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Keywords

• educational diversity
• FMCG
• organizational performance
• competitive advantage
• innovativeness
• innovative capability