Gbajabiamila urges inward focus for Nigeria’s SDG solutions

Nigeria, world’s poorest people bearing brunt of lack of progress towards SDGs – Orelope-Adefulire
NGF, UN pledge support

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, called for Nigeria to prioritise internal strategies to tackle economic, social, and environmental challenges amid a shrinking global multilateral space.

Speaking at the National Validation Workshop on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDGs Report launch, and SDGs Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan in Abuja, he highlighted the SDGs as a framework for sustainable solutions.

“In a shrinking multilateral space, we must look inwards for sustainable solutions to our economic, social, and environmental challenges,” Gbajabiamila said. He noted Nigeria’s commitment through VNRs in 2017, 2020, and 2025, which assess progress and gaps for the 2030 Agenda.

Six regional consultations in March 2025 across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones informed the 2025 VNR, preparing for the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July.

Gbajabiamila urged collaboration among ministries, agencies, private sector, academia, and civil society to mobilise resources and ensure inclusivity. He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s focus on SDGs within the Renewed Hope Agenda, stating, “This administration will continue to prioritise policies and programmes with potential to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, warned that only 17% of global SDG targets are on track, with developing countries like Nigeria bearing the brunt. “Lack of progress towards the SDGs is universal, but developing countries and the world’s poorest people are bearing the brunt the most,” she said.

She noted Nigeria’s inclusive VNR process, involving consultations with Persons with Disabilities and youth, and launched the Nigeria SDGs Progress Report 2024 and Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Action Plan.

UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall stressed the urgency of accelerating SDG progress with less than five years to 2030. He praised Nigeria’s third VNR and UN support via UNDP, UNICEF, and UNDESA, urging actionable recommendations to address poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Director General Abdulateef Shittu, represented by Eghosa Omoigui, cited subnational progress, like Kwara’s maternal health improvements and Lagos’ infrastructure resilience. “Resource gaps, data limitations, and climate impacts test our resilience, but sharpen our resolve,” he said. The NGF pledged support for localising SDGs through innovation and knowledge-sharing.