Financial Resources Management and Achievement of Sustainable Development Goal-4 in Public Universities in Rivers State

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between financial resource management and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) in public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. The research was guided by three specific objectives: determining the relationship between budgetary allocation and SDG-4 achievement, ascertaining the relationship between financial aid management and SDG-4 achievement, and examining the relationship between research fund management and SDG-4 achievement. The study adopted a correlational survey research design and was conducted in three public universities in Rivers State: Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt, and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The target population comprised 4,134 academic staff, from which a sample of 365 lecturers was selected using Taro Yamane's formula. Data were collected using two structured questionnaires and analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings revealed moderate positive relationships between all three dimensions of financial resource management and SDG-4 achievement: budgetary allocation (r = 0.58), financial aid management (r = 0.63), and research fund management (r = 0.51). All three null hypotheses were rejected at 0.05 significance level, confirming statistically significant positive relationships. Financial aid management exhibited the strongest correlation, underscoring its critical role in promoting inclusive and equitable education. The study concluded that effective financial resource management is indispensable for achieving SDG-4 targets in public universities. Recommendations include adopting strategic participatory budgeting, establishing transparent technology-driven financial aid systems with consistent disbursement schedules, and strengthening research fund governance through rigorous accountability mechanisms and regular external audits.