INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (IJMDS)

Sustainability Metrics for Human Resource Practices within the Nigerian University System: A Comprehensive Review of Literature

Abstract

The Nigerian university system faces mounting pressures to contribute to sustainability not only in environmental terms, but also in social equity, governance, and institutional health. Human Resource Management (HRM) in universities has the potential to foster sustainability if sustainability metrics are properly embedded in HR practices. This literature review examines how sustainability metrics for HR practices are conceptualized, measured, and implemented globally and within Nigeria; it identifies prevailing frameworks and recent empirical findings; and it maps key gaps and opportunities in Nigerian universities. Findings indicate that while green HRM, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion, and governance ethics are emerging as important metric domains, measurement in Nigerian higher education remains fragmented, with few standard metrics, little use of predictive or analytics-based measurement, and weak alignment with strategic sustainability goals. The paper concludes by proposing a conceptual metric framework suited to the Nigerian university context and recommends agenda items for future research and policy.