
………… as the nation leads Africa SDGs implementation.
The Chief of Staff to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has stated that Nigeria is the only African Country to present the Voluntary National Review (VNR) twice at the High Level Political Forum in 2017 and 2020 and would be presenting the third report in July, 2025.
Gbajabiamila stated this at the National validation workshop on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review Report on SDGs, held recently in Abuja. While declaring the workshop open, the Chief of Staff stated that the SDGs’ principle aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu’s administration, to improve the quality of life of Nigerians using the 17 sustainable development goals.
Gbajabiamila calls for more sensitization of the public on importance and benefits of achieving the SDGs, as he commended the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, for hard-work and achievements.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire stated that High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development Goals was established by world leaders through the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to play a central role in the follow up and review process at the global level as it convened annually in July. According to her, the theme of this year’s HLPF is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its sustainable development goals for leaving no one behind”. Under in-depth investigation include: SDGs 3 (good health and wellbeing, SDGs 5 (gender equality), SDGs 8 (decent work and economic growth, SDGs 14 (life below water) and SDGs 17 (partnership for the goals), She added.
In preparation for 2025 Nigeria’s VNR, Princess Orelope-Adefulire stated that OSSAP-SDGs had organized regional consultations across the six geopolitical zones and stand-alone consultations with persons with disabilities, children and youth. According to her, “this third VNR was conducted in a whole –of – government and whole – of – society approach resulting in a detailed SDGs progress report which will be used to guide the national consultation process.” She said that the workshop was to conclude the entire process with a national validation. She urged participants at the workshop to carefully reflect on Nigeria’s 2025 VNR process, examine and discuss the key finding and frame the draft report with a view to strengthen the final version post validation.
Highlighting the current global progress on the SDGs, SSAP-SDGs said “the 2024 United Nations SDGs report reveals that lack of progress towards the SDGs is universal but developing Countries and world’s poorest people are bearing the brunt, according to the report, only 17 percent of the SDGs target is on track”.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall, in his goodwill message commended the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals for successfully organizing participatory consultations at sub national levels to come up with a holistic report.
Expressing the importance of Voluntary National Review, Malick Fall stated that for Nigeria, the VNR is vital as it’s effort will not only shape the country‘s future but will contribute to the global push for sustainable development. He said that Nigeria has made significant progress since the first review in 2017 as the country deepens its commitment to inclusivity, transparency and broad-based participation.
According to the UN Resident Coordinator “it is essential that this workshop produces actionable recommendations to guide Nigeria’s efforts in achieving the SDGs, addressing challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change, while embracing opportunities for growth and transformation.”
Signed
Jimoh O. Abdulsalam anipr
Head, Information and PR
OSSAP-SDGs