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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The United Nations has warned that Nigeria is unlikely to achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030, if the current very low public investment in the education sector remains the same.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, gave the warning at the official launch of the ‘Reports of the Independent Country-Led Evaluation of SDGs-3 and 4 in Nigeria’, by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
The reports were technically and financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Federal Ministries of Health and Education, with the support of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria.
Schmale, noted that the 2022 budget, there was an increase to 7% on education, but the evaluation says it will need to increase to 20% with clear accountabilities on delivery.
He further noted that Nigeria is the first country to conduct and deliver independent comprehensive evaluations of SDG-3 and SDG-4, and that the reports show how quickly the government has established robust institutional monitoring and support frameworks at the national and sub-national levels to support effective SDG implementation across the country.
He said “country-led evaluations are a critical tool to provide data regarding what is and isn’t working, why, and for whom, and where to best target our limited resources.
“Good data makes for good policy. Without it, we are flying blind. While the findings of these evaluations show some improving health and education outcomes in Nigeria, the reports also contain some worrying analysis.
“In relation to SDG-4 on quality education, it is, for example, concerning to note that Nigeria is unlikely to achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030 if the current very low public investment in the
education sector remains the same.
“The evaluation indicates that the right policies (especially around free basic education and gender) are in place, but an increase in quality and access to education is critical.
“In the 2022 budget, there was an increase to 7% on education, but the evaluation says it will need to increase to 20% with clear accountabilities on delivery.
“Similarly, Government resources for health financing are inadequate for the achievement of SDG-3 targets related to good health and well-being.
“It is good to see that the recommendation of revitalizing the Primary Health Care has already started and its effectiveness will be enhanced with a clear plan and accountability on human resources and financing at state level.
“Business as usual is not sufficient. In support of Government, we are keen to identify truly transformative initiatives that will catalyze tangible change in the lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian people. This new data will help determine which health and education programmes are really moving the needle. We can then look to expand, renew, and replicate them.
“We must collectively push forward with education and health sector specific
transformative initiatives such as prioritising and revitalising basic Primary Health Care and improving the quality of teachers and learning in and out of classrooms”, he said.
Vice President Osinbajo stated in his keynote address that it is critical to build the commitment and incentives required to prioritize and increase Basic Educational Financing up to 12% at all levels.
He said: “The timing of the use of appropriated funds is also important. State government should take advantage of the UBEC matching grants by making the required contributions.
“Educational stakeholders are encouraged to develop and strengthen coordination mechanisms that can help tighten the collaboration with information sharing between federal and the state on the one hand, and non state actors on the other hand.”
Schmale, noted that ahead of the Transforming Education Summit for next month in New York, Nigeria has a unique opportunity to identify catalytic change initiatives and publicly commit to making them happen.
Osinbajo noted that with the adoption of the agenda and the SDGs, Nigeria has set for itself a vision to end extreme poverty and to safeguard our planet by the year 2030.
According to him, achieving inclusive sustainable development is an objective that aligns closely with the present administration’s desire to bring the 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years.
He explained that it is for this reason that the federal government established a number of programs to support the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs.
On the findings of the report, Osinbajo stated: “The findings contained in these strategic evaluations reinforce the evidence for improving health and educational outcomes in Nigeria, and highlight how all stakeholders, governments, development partners and civil society can best address systemic gaps and challenges.
“So, this official launch today comes with a responsibility for us to intentionally use the key findings of the two evaluations to strengthen policies that support the achievement of the SDGs.”
He said that while the reports acknowledge that many states and non state actors, both local and external, are already working on some of these recommendations, “We look forward to the full and successful implementation of the recommendations a holistic approach across the four thematic areas in a way that maximizes positive health impacts for the poor and the most vulnerable groups in Nigeria.”
Osinbajo assured that the federal government will continue to promote strong partnerships and facilities amongst ministries departments and agencies, and between development departments also for coordinated implementation for SDGs in Nigeria.
In her opening remarks, Senior Special Assistant to SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that effective implementation of the SDGs requires periodic evaluation to ensure progress measurement, generate knowledge and inform policy shift.
She said the evaluation on SDGs 3 and 4 have been prioritized based on Nigeria’s national development priorities as embedded in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP -2017-2020).
She said Nigeria, in launching the reports, has shown that countries can begin to look beyond evaluation in the context of global reporting through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), to embedding evaluation at the national and local level to achieve transformative development.
“Going forward, we must as a nation enhance capacity building of policymakers and strengthening of data systems to support SDG evaluation and reviews”, she said.
Deputy UN Secretary General, Amina Muhammed, noted that by the reports, Nigeria recognizes that health and education are cornerstones for sustainable and equitable development.
She said the report is also very timely as the recommendations on education aligned with the focus areas of the transforming education summit, including on inclusive and equitable education, especially for our girls, Safe and Healthy Schools, foundational skills, and lifelong learning, digital skills and education financing.
“I encourage you all to swiftly turn these recommendations into actionable levels so that we can accelerate our implementation of the 2030 agenda.
“I congratulate Nigeria for the progress identified in the report. Let these results serve as a catalyst for even greater Achievements. I hope today’s event will boost our collective efforts to meet the development aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
