Nigeria has commenced the Stakeholders? Consultation in preparation for the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The regional consultation for Nigeria?s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) across the six geopolitical zones was launched in the South West zone, with Lagos State hosting the session.

Held under the theme: ?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,? the consultation brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states.

This was contained in a statement issued to the media by the SA Media, OSSAP-SDG, Desmond Utomwen.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the consultation aims to review Nigeria?s 2024 SDGs progress report. She highlighted key areas of focus, including institutional frameworks, progress on the 17 SDGs, lessons learned, implementation challenges, and key recommendations.

Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by her Senior Technical Adviser, Dr Bala Yunusa, referenced the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024), which identified a global lack of progress towards the SDGs, with only 17 percent of targets currently on track. She stressed the need for renewed commitment and transformative actions to accelerate progress towards achieving the goals.

She noted:

?To date, 366 VNRs have been conducted and presented by 191 countries, with 138 countries having conducted more than one VNR. Nigeria has previously presented two VNRs, in 2017 and 2020. This year, Nigeria will present its third VNR alongside 38 other countries. Conceptually, the VNRs are most useful when conducted through an inclusive, broad-based, and participatory process. This is why we are here?to consult widely with key stakeholders across all segments of society.?

She further explained that following the Lagos launch, consultations would be held in Uyo (South South), Enugu (South East), Gombe (North East), Kaduna (North West), and Abuja (North Central), culminating in a National Validation event in Abuja.

Orelope-Adefulire highlighted that since 2016, Nigeria?s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (2017-2020), the Economic Sustainability Plan (2020), the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (2021), and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) have all been aligned with the SDGs. She emphasised that these goals are also embedded in President Bola Tinubu?s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, stated that the review is aimed at advancing collective actions to improve Nigeria?s ranking among the top performers in the global SDG framework.

She noted that Lagos State has consistently driven SDG implementation efforts, leveraging evidence-based decision-making to enhance impact.

?The Lagos State Voluntary Local Review (VLR) conducted in 2023 stands as a testament to this commitment, providing periodic assessments of our progress and significantly influencing policies and decisions under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The state?s policies are now more aligned with international development targets, with improved resource allocation, increased inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced participatory governance achieved through the VLR exercise.?

She added that Lagos remains a beacon of subnational leadership in SDG localisation, fostering strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. She described the VNR as a crucial mechanism for SDG implementation, enabling both national and subnational governments to periodically assess progress, identify gaps, strengthen accountability, and promote scalable innovations.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on SDGs and Water Resources, Mrs Damilola Otubanjo, underscored the significance of the VNR in ensuring full implementation of the SDGs. She emphasised that the process must represent the interests of all Nigerians, as it highlights key challenges and outlines pathways for Nigeria?s global positioning in sustainable development.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Actualisation of SDGs at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Tayo Ajayi, noted that since the United Nations launched the SDGs In 2015, Nigeria has mainstreamed them at the national level, with Lagos State playing a pivotal role.

Ajayi stated that since its establishment in 2022, the centre has organised two international conferences on SDG implementation, launched the LASU SDGs Yo?th Club with over 3,500 members, and is now advancing its efforts through the LASU Sustainability Policy to further institutionalize the SDGs within the university.

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