DECOLONIZATION OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND GLOBAL COMPETIVENESS

Abstract

This paper examines decolonization of university education for sustainable creativity, innovation and global competitiveness. The abstract outlines on reshaping Nigerian university education by moving away from inherited Western models and toward a decolonized framework that fosters sustainable innovation and global competitiveness. The introduction establishes that current curricula often neglect indigenous knowledge systems, leaving graduates ill-equipped to solve local problems or compete meaningfully on global platforms. The literature review examines existing scholarship on colonial legacies in African education, highlighting how imported pedagogies suppress creativity and contextual relevance. Key issues identified include over-reliance on foreign theories, poor integration of local languages and technologies, limited research into indigenous solutions, and a disconnect between university outputs and Nigeria’s developmental needs. The paper then suggests practical steps: redesigning core courses to include Nigerian case studies and traditional problem-solving methods; promoting research partnerships with local industries and communities; adopting flexible assessment systems that reward innovation over rote memorization and training lecturers in decolonial pedagogies. The conclusion affirms that decolonization does not mean rejecting global knowledge but rather balancing it with homegrown perspectives. When Nigerian universities lead with their own cultural and intellectual resources, they produce graduates who drive sustainable innovation , create solar alternatives to diesel generators, biomaterials from local plants and fintech solutions for unbanked populations. This approach enhances global competitiveness by offering unique, context-smart innovations rather than copying Western models. Ultimately, decolonizing the university is not symbolic; it is a strategic necessity for Nigeria to compete on its own terms while solving real local challenges sustainably.