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Towards Ethical Universities in West Africa: Integrating Communal and Global Ethics into Academic Institutions

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The push to create ethical universities is a shared global goal, reflecting the important role that higher education plays in shaping ethical development across societies. In the context of West Africa, this qualitative study explored the understanding and commitment to fostering ethical universities, drawing on the insights of 29 participants from universities across West Africa, including both lecturing and non-lecturing staff. The findings point to a distinctive understanding of ethical universities in West Africa, characterised by a commitment to communal and relational ethics as well as international standards. The research concludes by presenting key implications for university governance, offering recommendations for the integration of ethical frameworks in academic institutions, and suggesting strategies for universities in the region to serve as exemplary ethical behaviour and social responsibility in broader society.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1683-1707
Number of pages25
JournalJournal of Academic Ethics
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

  • Ethical behaviour
  • Ethical leadership
  • Ethical university
  • Ethics
  • Moral governance
  • West Africa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Philosophy

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