The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) activities documentation officially commenced in the University on 28th August, 2023 following the Vice Chancellor’s approval of the SDG Team leads. This approval was preceded by several seminars and enlightenment programmes on SDGs related topics as well as on the modality for the then Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Facilitators within and outside the country were employed to enlighten staff and students on the importance of the Goals at the global level and how individuals can contribute to actualization of the 17 UN SDGs.
Bells University SDG Team leads
The members of the team in 2023/2024 comprised of the following:
| S/N | NAME | FIELD OF STUDY | DEPARTMENT | COLLEGE |
| 1 | Dr Dudu, O. E (Lead) | Food Sci and tech | Food Sci and Tech. | COLFAST |
| 2 | Dr Olutayo K.O. | Community Nutrition | Food Sci and tech | COLFAST |
| 3 | Dr Kester, C.T | Fisheries and Aquaculture | Agric.& Agricl Tech | COLNAS |
| 5 | Prof. Omoike, A | Fisheries and Aquaculture | Agric.& Agricl Tech | COLNAS |
| 6 | Mrs. Adetoyinbo I. I. | Medical Microbiology | Agric.& Agricl Tech | COLNAS |
| 7 | Dr Olugbojo J.A. | Crop protection | Agric.& Agricl Tech | COLNAS |
| 8 | Dr Ogunsola, J.F | Plant pathology | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
| 9 | Dr Ogunola, K.E. | Plant genetics and biotech | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
| 10 | Ms. Sojobi, J | Biomedical Engineering | Mechanical Eng | COLENG |
| 11 | Dr Ogunkan, D.V | Urban and Reg. Plan | Urban and Reg. Plan | COLENVS |
| 12 | Dr Enilolobo, O.S | Agricultural Economics | Econs, Acct & Fin | COLMAS |
| 13 | Dr Aderemi T. | Development Economics | Econs, Acct & Fin | COLMAS |
SDG’s Activities
The team lead is Dr. O.E Dudu. The initial meeting of the team was held on the 28th September, 2023 where some deliberations and agreement were made to achieve the objectives of the SDG
Enlightenment Meetings for Team Member
There were series of sensitization and enlightenment on the key topics considered in the SDG 1 globally and particularly on the high rate of poverty in Africa. Deliberation and strategic planning to achieve the rate of poverty and improve the standard of living through research, awareness creation and sensitization campaigns were carried out. The University’s drive toward contributing her quota towards achieving the SDG 1 (No poverty) was also discussed.
The need and how to secure funding for SDG 1 team’s activities were looked into and collaboration and networking of activities was embraced.
- Joint Research and publication on SDG 1
The need for improved publications in Scopus –indexed journals under SDG 1 was also regularly emphasized in the monthly meetings of the team. Designing interdisciplinary research projects addressing poverty alleviation among faculty members was stressed. Some members were commended for their strides in publishing in Scopus-index outlets.
Community Development
The SDG 1 member undertook community development activity by joining ANUOLUWAPO FARMERS GROUP at their monthly meetings at the Edozien Lecture Hall (ELT) of the University and also conduct outreach on No Hunger. The SDG team collaborated with other SDG group such as SDG 2 and 3 during their sensitization programmes.
Collaborative Efforts
Collaboration with Bells University Consultancy
The team fostered interactions with Bells University Consult in developing more streams of job creation projects within the University. For instance, establishment of an electronic repair hub which is lacking within the University was projected with such collaboration. Collaboration with Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CATES) in building capacity on packaging, processing and marketing of agricultural products with emphasis on job creation within the Agric-food value chain was also projected.
Collaborations with NAFSTS for Community Service
The team partnered with National Association of Food Science and Technology Students’ (NAFSTS) Bells University of Technology (BellsTech) Chapter during their Food Week themed “Foodpreneurship: A driver of global food security” which was held between 24- 27th April, 2024. The collaboration involve SDG 2 and SDG 3 teams to undertake the community outreach, leveraging on the close connection between ending hunger, improving nutrition, and ensuring health and human well-being. There was a loud sensitization campaign around the university community within and outside the campus to relate safe and cheap nutritious food with good health, and poverty alleviation. The event was highly successful and a student was offered a soft loan for embarking on a Foodpreneurship project within the University.
Community Service with Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association (NUDSA)
A community outreach programme was also organized by the Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association (NUDSA) of Bells University of Technology Ota, in collaboration with the SDG 1 and 2 teams. This was carried out during the NUTRITION WEEK in May, 2024 and this entailed outreaches to some neighboring industries such as Nestle food, Ota Ogun State, Nigeria. This outreach was successfully conducted.
These educative and informative outreaches provide a mean by which Bells University is reaching out and creating significant impacts in the life of the community for a better livelihood.