EXPLORING MEANS OF PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8 (DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH) IN NIGERIA: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE.

Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi

Department of Management

Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

zeb-obipi.isaac@ust.edu.ng (Corresponding Author)

Dr. Gold Leton Kpurunee

Department of Corporate Entrepreneurship

Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

leton.kpurunee@ust.edu.ng

Abstract

This paper explores the means to promote Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 (decent work and economic growth) in Nigeria drawing from the Human Resource Management Perspective. SDG 8 is focused on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full productive employment, and decent work for all. Economic growth refers to an increase in a country’s GDP; and decent work refers to adequate opportunities for work, remuneration, safety at work, and healthy working conditions. It connotes a job with better working conditions that promote workers’ competence, efficiency, and greater output. Society has lots of benefits when more people become productive and contribute to the economy, and Human Resource Management has some roles to play in bringing about this. This paper’s findings indicate that Human Resource Management can ensure decent work and economic growth through human resource procurement for inclusion and diversity, protection of workers’ rights, provision of safe and inclusive working environment, opportunities for training and development, and driving business initiatives hinged on the imperatives of decent work for economic growth. The paper concludes that a country with decent work opportunities will enjoy greater productivity, leading to economic growth. Therefore, the paper recommends that organizations should participate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 relating to decent work and economic growth by fostering better Human Resource Management practices in the areas of human resource procurement, protection of workers’ rights, provision of a safe and inclusive working environment, training and development initiatives and business activities that drive worker commitment for attaining the SDG 8.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goal 8, Decent Work, Economic Growth, Human Resource Management.