From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, just back from New York
Nigeria, like other countries, has less than six years to complete the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. To actualise this ambitious milestone related to the SDGs, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) understandably has stepped up its engagement and partnership with critical stakeholders both national and international to ensure that Nigeria remains on track across the 17 goals of the SDGs set by the United Nations in 2015. By this move, the NGF, hopes to fast track the achievement of these 17 SGDs as well as surpass them ahead of time.
During the just concluded 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, the subnational governments from Nigeria were in the frontline pushing for the implementation of the SDGs. Additionally, the NGF through its representatives, Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, and Mohammed Bago of Niger engaged with international development partners who are Nigeria’s allies in accelerating SDGs across the key sectors.
The event organized with the theme: “UNGA79: UN/NGF Subnational Governments SDG Meeting with the theme: Accelerating Sustainable Development: Harnessing Technology and Partnership” attracted key stakeholders on Nigeria’s development as well as international development partners working in Nigeria.
The NGF profiled several innovative and flagship projects it is spearheading to advance the actualisation of the SDGs across 36 states of the country. Among these initiatives is the Nigeria SDG Implementation Plan (2020-2030), launched with UNDP support, which aims to integrate the SDGs into state policies process design, and enhance governance capacity at the states.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated during a high level event with the national governments thus: “This engagement is a conscious attempt at supporting state governments to prioritise and mainstream the SDGs into their development policies.”
Another significant initiative is the $520 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones project, designed to boost agricultural productivity and create jobs, directly aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Additionally, the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) has mobilised $15 million for innovative healthcare and Agritech enterprises.
The National Social Investment Project (NSIP) encompasses various programmes aimed at reducing poverty, including cash transfers and school feeding initiatives. Furthermore, NGF is collaborating with partnership accelerators to implement SDGs related to clean water and renewable energy.
In his remark, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, articulated the urgency of mechanised farming, stating that “Food security is paramount. We are distributing fertilisers and modern equipment to boost productivity.” He further stressed the importance of integrated programmes across all local government areas, particularly for reintegrating internally displaced persons:
“We just came out of a meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN to discuss how to tackle poverty and healthcare financing—these are our major takeaways.”, he added.
On his part, Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State shared insights on sustainable development initiatives, saying, “The meetings have been enlightening. A lot of opportunities for development in our state have been highlighted.” He expressed optimism about newly formed partnerships, noting, “I have signed several MOUs that can unlock developmental efforts in agriculture and energy.” While noting that addressing the security concerns in Plateau State will be a win-win for all, he confidently remarked, “Security has greatly improved. If there’s a time to invest in Plateau State, it is now.”
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State reiterated these sentiments, emphasising the need for technological advancements to bridge healthcare gaps in rural areas. “This outing has been very successful for sub-nationals. We’ve unlocked opportunities related to food insecurity and health.” He also highlighted the United National Development Programme’s role in facilitating partnerships with philanthropists. “They’ve shown commitment to roll out programmes in Nigeria, especially concerning the carbon market”, he added.
For the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, he focused on agricultural enhancements to alleviate poverty: “During our discussions with UN officials in New York, we highlighted our initiatives in Benue State aimed at poverty alleviation and improving the lives of our citizens. As an agrarian state, we have invested in agricultural machinery, including several tractors, to enhance farming productivity. We are also focused on reducing post-harvest waste, a significant barrier to food security.
“In health care, we recognize the need to strengthen our primary health system to improve overall health outcomes. The UN Development Programme has been instrumental in supporting our efforts, especially in flood-affected areas.
“Regarding small businesses, collaboration with the Federal Government is essential for sustainable growth. We are committed to aligning our initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure lasting improvements in our community.”, he noted.
Eghosa Omoigui, the Assistant Director at NGF, underscored the establishment of an SDG Desk at the NGF Secretariat to monitor progress across Nigeria’s 36 states. He stated, “In 2019, we initiated tracking the SDGs at the subnational level. We aim to approach 2030 with a more accountable lens for monitoring and evaluation.”
The UNDP Resident Representative, Elizabeth Spehar, commended Nigeria’s alignment with global goals: “UNDP has fire in the belly to push Nigeria’s development agenda forward. We are here to support the government’s efforts.” She emphasized that achieving SDGs requires integrated policies across sectors: “You cannot do agriculture alone without looking at its links with trade and energy.”
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from governors and UNDP representatives to collaborate effectively in achieving these ambitious goals by 2030. As Governor Lawal noted, “There are absolute commitments from different partners ready to help us address national challenges.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) over the years as the coordinating mechanism for official development assistance ODA in Nigeria continues to work with stakeholders including the governors to mainstream development at the grassroots across the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
For the NGF, the meeting will accelerate the ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring that Nigeria remains on track towards meeting the SDGs 17 targets by 2030, with its impactful outcomes on the Nigeria’s development trajectory across broad spectrum of sectors.
Governors from across Nigeria gathered at UNGA79 in New York under the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strategize on accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With just five years until the 2030 deadline, the meeting focused on fostering partnerships, sharing best practices, and emphasizing data-driven decision-making. Key discussions included enhancing collaboration among states and international organizations, showcasing achievements in health and urban sustainability, particularly SDG3 and SDG11, and developing adaptable policy recommendations. The expected outcomes include strengthened partnerships to support local initiatives, renewed commitments to technology-enhanced monitoring systems, and a focus on uplifting vulnerable populations. Governor Umaru Bago highlighted the importance of public-private investments and technology innovation hubs to drive effective results in state development.
The event featured presentations from development partners, including Bloomberg as well as representatives from the UN Deputy Secretary-General’s office.