The role of relevant stakeholders, particularly private sector, development partners and financial institutions are very key in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire stated this at the Quarterly Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Nigeria’s Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), at the Palm Hotel, Abuja recently.
Princess Adejoke Orelope pointed out that the Nigeria’s Integrated Sustainable Development Goals Simulation Model (iSDG Model Report 2019) estimates the financial resources required to achieve SDGs in Nigeria at 125 trillion naira, stating that undoubtedly the stakeholders, particularly, the private sector, development partners and financial institutions are key partners in the SDGs implementation and have huge role to play in closing this financing gaps.
Princess Adejoke opined that “the success of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development largely depends on the ability of the countries to mobilize domestic and external resources”, noting that OSSAP-SDGs has been taking the needed steps, including the creation of synergy among key stakeholders to ensure seamless operationalization of INFF framework.
Princess Orelope said “the meeting is to sensitize and seek the support of the relevant stakeholders in this much needed task for Nigeria to achieve SDGs in line with the government commitment and aspirations as captured in government various plans, including Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017 – 2020), COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan and New National Development Plan 2021 – 2025”.
She expressed optimism that the meeting will further reinforce commitment to a more effective inter-sectoral collaboration in support of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary of Programme, Engr. Ahmad kawu noted that “the INFF was designed to assist Nigeria explore innovative financing options that would link government with private sector and development partners to increase public revenue and private investments”.
Engr. Kawu expressed hope that the outcome of the meeting “will strengthen synergies amongst state and non-state actors for proper implementation by reviewing and leveraging on our multiple financing reforms within a coherent overarching framework to assist the government prioritize and avoid overlaps and address synergies across our reform areas”.
In their goodwill messages, the representative of UNDP Amarakoon Bandra, the Minister for Finance Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, represented by Felix Okonkwo, the Executive Chairrman federal inland Revenue Services, (FIRS) Muhammad Nami represented Dr. Dickson Irri, delve extensively on the need to mobilize adequate resources for effective implementation of SDGs and agenda 2030, and the efforts they are making in their respective MDAs to block leakages and ensure availability of funds for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Rotimi Ajayi
D (Communications)
