Nigeria must accelerate implementation of SDGs before 2030, says presidential aide

Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, senior special assistant to the president on sustainable development goals (SSAP-SDGs), says the country must accelerate SDG implementation at state and LG levels ahead of the 2030 deadline.

Orelope-Adefulire spoke when she visited Kano and Ondo states on an advocacy and sensitisation campaign.

“As we approach the 2030 deadline, we must recommit to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs, especially at the state and Local Governments level,” she said.

“As part of the transformative actions needed to deliver on the SDGs, we need the expertise and resources of the public and private sectors, the UN Development System, development partners and the donor community, academia, civil society, and concerned citizens in support of the SDGs.

“In Nigeria, the Multidimensional Poverty Index Report (2022) shows that about 63 percent or 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor.

“The report shows that poverty levels vary significantly across the states and the geopolitical zones. Specifically, multi-dimensional poverty is higher in rural areas, where 72 percent of people are poor, compared to 42 percent in urban areas.

“Overall, the report revealed that 65 percent of poor people live in the North, while 35 percent live in the South.

“Relatedly, the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Report (2022) shows that the Under-5 mortality rate, which represents SDG 3.2.1, is 102 per 1,000 live births — with Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Jigawa recording the highest, and FCT, Benue, Kwara, and Ebonyi States recording the lowest.”

She said SDG four which addresses quality education has led to low out-of-school rates in Ekiti (2 percent) and Imo (1 percent); with the highest rates found in Kebbi (65 percent), Zamfara and Bauchi states (61 percent each).

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, said the SDGs are a blueprint for a better future for all Nigerians and the global community.