With just five years remaining until the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has issued a clarion call to state governments and stakeholders to shift from pledges to measurable outcomes.
Speaking at a high-level Roundtable Dialogue with State SDGs Focal Persons held in Abuja on Tuesday, Orelope-Adefulire emphasized that Nigeria’s success hinges on urgent, coordinated action across all levels of government and society.
“Our discussions must be honest, bold, and action-oriented. We must move from commitment to results. The SDGs are about real people, real communities, and real change,” she declared.
Urgency and Ownership
Orelope-Adefulire stressed that the final stretch toward 2030 demands “greater coordination, innovation, and subnational ownership.” She urged state focal persons to play a more strategic role in translating national policy into grassroots impact, calling for the SDGs to be fully embedded in state budgets and development plans.
She revealed that while 20 states have aligned their plans with SDG targets and indicators, 17 states have yet to domesticate the goals—a gap she described as a “major obstacle” to national progress.
“This is a national agenda, not a state or federal government agenda. It requires all tiers of government working in unison,” she said.
Financing and Accountability
The Presidential adviser warned that sustainable development cannot be achieved without sustainable financing. She urged states to reduce reliance on external aid and focus on mobilizing domestic resources.
“When you spend 10 Naira, we want to know what portion goes to No Poverty, Zero Hunger, education, healthcare, or job creation at the grassroots,” she said.
She called for bottom-up development, emphasizing that increased federal allocations must translate into tangible community benefits.
🗣️ Voices from the States
The dialogue featured contributions from state representatives who shared their experiences and challenges in implementing the SDGs.
Julius Okunbor, Director-General for SDGs in Edo State, described the event as “an eye-opener,” noting that the SDGs in his state had been revitalized and were actively driving progress.
“Many believe there’s a lot of donor money in the SDG coffers, but the truth is, we must work with what we have, minimise leakages, and manage budgets prudently,” Okunbor said.
Kenechukwu Nwosu, Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, highlighted the importance of integrating SDGs across sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture, and sanitation.
“We have strong ‘handshakes’ with municipal governments and local chieftains. Social mobilisation and grassroots engagement are critical to our success,” Nwosu noted.
A Turning Point for Nigeria
In her closing remarks, Orelope-Adefulire urged participants to make the dialogue a turning point in Nigeria’s collective efforts to achieve the SDGs.
“The SDGs are not abstract. They are about real people, real communities, and real change. Every state must play its part, and for those 17 states yet to domesticate, the time to act is now.”
As the clock ticks toward 2030, the message from Abuja was clear: Nigeria’s sustainable development future will be shaped not only by federal policy but by the actions taken in state capitals, local government offices, and communities across the country.
