Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) has launched a National Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess Nigeria’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two-day meeting, taking place on October 8th and 9th, 2024, aims to mobilize stakeholders to take accountability for the inclusive reporting and implementation of the Global Goals.
In her keynote address, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, emphasized the importance of a “whole of society” approach in tracking and implementing the SDGs in Nigeria. She noted that the consultative meeting reflects a commitment to broad-based and participatory governance, which is essential for the effective realization of the SDGs.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire shared insights from the 2023 United Nations Secretary-General’s Summit, highlighting six transition pathways identified for accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. These pathways include food systems, education, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, job and social protection, and climate change and biodiversity. She indicated that these themes align with the key pillars of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2021-2025 and the core objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Describing the upcoming National Stakeholder Report on Nigeria’s 2024 SDGs as a crucial opportunity for the government, Princess Orelope-Adefulire stated it would help track progress, pinpoint implementation challenges, and provide actionable recommendations for governance at various levels. She expressed optimism that the report would contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) set for presentation at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2025.
The Senior Special Assistant highlighted the critical role of public and private sector expertise and resources, alongside the support of development partners, in realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. She reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, underscored the significance of the National Consultative Meeting as a platform for reviewing Nigeria’s accomplishments in the SDGs and confronting the challenges that lie ahead. Represented by Dr. Tony from the UNDP, Attafuah emphasized that the success of Agenda 2030 relies on immediate and collective action from stakeholders. She reaffirmed UNDP’s dedication to collaborating with Nigeria to ensure that the benefits of the SDGs reach every Nigerian.
Stakeholders from various sectors, including civil society organizations, state focal points, federal ministries, development partners, and donor agencies, voiced the necessity for a collective approach in achieving the SDGs. They stressed that no single entity can fulfill these goals independently and that each stakeholder must implement robust monitoring mechanisms to facilitate effective evaluation and reporting.
The consultative meeting marks a significant step towards galvanizing support and enhancing collaborative efforts to ensure that Nigeria stays on track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. As the discussions unfold, the commitment to accountability and progress remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s dev
elopment agenda.