Experts charge Nigeria to act now as 2030 SDG deadline nears

By Cynthia Ezekwe.

As the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs draws closer, experts are urging collective action to ensure that Nigeria meets its targets. With time running out, they stress that everyone must play a part in addressing the key issues that the SDGs seek to resolve. They also highlight the importance of taking action now, rather than waiting until the last minute.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed as a framework to address the most pressing environmental, political, and economic challenges facing our world. However, progress in meeting these goals has been slow, with the most recent reports showing that we are falling further behind.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in peril, according to the 2023 UN report. The report highlights that progress is lagging, particularly in developing countries. It noted that the growing economic gap between developed and developing nations, combined with the unequal impacts of the climate crisis, threaten to derail progress towards achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline.

Against this backdrop,the United Green Ambassador Awards (UNGAA) initiated a convergence of experts to discuss the need for collective action to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

According to the event’s organizers, progress has been made, but much more remains to be done. They emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals and organizations that are advancing the SDGs, and the benefits of creating a network of people who are committed to sustainable development.

Heaven Umunna, a sustainability advocate noted that  while progress has been made in achieving the SDGs, the work is far from done. He calls for greater recognition of individuals and organizations who are advancing the SDGs, and advocates for a platform where they can connect and collaborate. This, he believes, is critical for making progress on the SDGs.

Toyosi  Craig, an energy management consultant, highlights the importance of using local languages like pidgin English to create awareness and advocate for the SDGs. He points out that ‘Goal 7’, which aims to ensure access to clean and affordable energy, is not being met, as four  out of five people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity.

Craig points to research showing that 75% of electricity consumed in Nigeria comes from diesel and petrol generators, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. He notes that building the right infrastructure is essential to addressing electricity challenges and ensuring access to affordable and clean energy. He also highlights the need for action after the recent collapse of Nigeria’s national grid.

According to him, emissions are high, and the way to get better is by building resilient  infrastructures that will reduce emissions, and help achieve the goal by 2030.

Craig believes that to achieve goal 7 by 2030, resilient infrastructure must be built, with a focus on reducing emissions and increasing resource-use efficiency. He also hopes that there will be more inclusive and sustainable industrialization, innovation, and access to financial services for small-scale enterprises.

Murtala Adogi Mohammed, the founder of System Strategy and Policy Lab, points out that despite the approaching deadline of 2030, progress on the SDGs has been slow. He emphasizes the importance of localizing efforts to achieve the SDGs, and engaging both government and non-state institutions at all levels. In particular, he highlights the need for increased collaboration and connection of resources with results.

He noted that a key avenue  to achieve the SDGs goals is to strengthen governance, saying, “ As individuals, we do not have the resources to actualise these goals by 2030, it is the government that has the resources to deliver, so it is vital to strengthen our governance system.’’

According to Mohammed, one key approach to achieving the SDGs is to strengthen governance. He highlights the importance of raising awareness and advocacy around the goals through the use of local languages, community mobilization, and partnerships. He also stresses the need for data collection and monitoring, building capacity, innovation, and inclusivity in order to ensure that resources are effectively directed towards the goals.

Mohammed pointed out that reliable and standard data is lacking, which makes it difficult to track progress on the SDGs. He also observed that there is a lack of prioritization of SDGs by leaders, as well as weak institutional capacity and accountability, all of which lead to governance problems and policy incoherence.

Based on the challenges faced in implementing the SDGs in Nigeria, Mohammed suggests that the following measures should be taken:

– A data revolution is needed to improve the quality, availability, and use of data for decision-making.

– Multi-stakeholder partnerships should be established to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.

– Effective communication strategies should be developed to raise awareness and facilitate action on the SDGs.

These measures, he noted,could help address the current challenges and achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Femi Oye, the founder of SMEFUNDS Capital, believes that collective action is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This is due to the interdependent and complex nature of the goals, which require collaboration and partnerships to be effectively addressed. In particular, he highlights the need for collective action on climate change, in order to build resilience and protect the environment.

“We need to begin to look inward, as we can make impacts by cleaning the street, by going to school to teach our children, by creating climate club or SDG clubs, by educating them, you are already making impacts.

And I think that is what UNGAA is all about, to enable everyone to see themselves as a very strong contributor towards the achievements of these goals, and of course in that process getting rewarded, and getting rewarded, and getting the amplification that is needed, based on the actions, and at the end of the day, the whole world gets better,’’ he said.

Tayo Ajayi, director, Lagos State University (LASU) SDG Centre, noted that  the 2030 agenda for sustainable development envisions a present and future that are economically sustainable, socially inclusive and environmentally resilient.

Ajayi believes that universities can play a vital role in achieving the SDGs by educating students about the goals and promoting partnerships that lead to collective action. He also highlights the potential for universities to contribute to the social, economic, and environmental progress that the SDGs aim to achieve.