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FG Task States, LGs On Accelerating SDGs
A call has gone to the various federating units of Nigeria, the states, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and local governments to take decisive steps for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, (SSAP-SDGs) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, made this call at the ongoing Advocacy and Sensitisation campaign in Kano and Ondo States.
According to the Presidential Aide, the global community seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Global Agenda in the Decade of Action for the Goals.
A statement issued by Desmond Utomwen, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the SSAP-SDGs, noted that with the global community lagging behind in the efforts to attain the SDGs and with Nigeria facing various challenges, the need for all stakeholders, particularly State and Local Governments, to accelerate progress has become more imperative.
According to Orelope-Adefulire, despite the commitment and efforts as a country, Nigeria is faced with issues and challenges in the desire to achieve the SDGs. She noted that, partly due to the now Triple C Crisis – COVID, Climate Change, and Conflicts, the implementation is off-track globally, and only 15 percent of the SDGs targets are on track as of 2023.
“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, multidimensional 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.
“On SDG 4, quality education among children and adolescents aged 7-14 years, only about 27 percent have foundational reading skills, and 25 percent have foundational numeracy skills. This translates to a low out-of-school rate found in Ekiti State at (2%) and Imo (1%), while the highest rates are found in Kebbi (65%) and Zamfara and Bauchi States both at 61%”.
The SSAP-SDGs noted that the Federal Government has demonstrated strong commitment towards the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria and requires the sub-national governments to match these efforts, particularly as the tier of government closest to the people.
She noted that institutional frameworks have been established at the national and sub-national levels to guarantee effective implementation of the SDGs. The SDGs require a whole-of-society approach and clearly cannot be achieved with stand-alone policies and projects. They must be carefully integrated into national and sub-national policies and development plans.
“As we approach the 2030 deadline, we must recommit to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs, especially at the state and Local Governments level. 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.” Orelope-Adefulire stated.
In his remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, maintained that the Sustainable Development Goals are a blueprint for a better future for all, addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Ondo State is uniquely naturally endowed and positioned to achieve these goals of the SDGs. The State is blessed with abundant natural resources, a vibrant population, and a rich cultural heritage. He expressed his commitment and optimism that through continued partnerships with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, Nigeria can deliver on the SDGs.
“I am confident that through seamless collaboration and innovation, we can make significant progress towards achieving the SDGs at the sub-national level. On our part, the Ondo State Government is committed to playing its part in achieving the SDGs. We recognize the importance of these goals and are actively working to integrate them into our policies. Together, let us build a future that is sustainable, equitable, and prosperous for all,” the Governor stated.
In the same vein, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Shehu Shegagi, maintained that the state is committed to delivering on the Targets of the SDGs, while leaving no one behind.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has said the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) now has a clear schedule for student loan payments based on submissions from institutions.
Ahmad made the disclosure while responding to concerns over alleged delays in the payment of student loans.
The minister acknowledged that there were challenges when the scheme initially commenced but said NELFUND and institutions have become more familiar with the process.
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“I wouldn’t say there is much delay in the payment because as I said, NELFUND now has a clear schedule for payment based on submission from the institutions,” she said.
“When it started, I said we had issues, but now we are used to the system now. The universities are familiar with the system, NELFUND itself is more familiar with the institutions and how it works.”
Ahmad also explained that complaints about delays may sometimes arise from individual cases or misunderstandings of the payment process.
She further clarified that students are required to apply for the NELFUND loan every academic year and are not automatically covered for the duration of their programmes after their initial application.
“You need to apply every year because we don’t know whether you are still interested in getting that loan,” the minister said.
According to her, students’ financial circumstances can change, meaning that a student who required the loan in one academic year may no longer need it in another.
Ahmad stressed that students are not compelled to take the NELFUND loan, adding that those who wish to benefit must apply before they can be paid.
She disclosed that more than 1.6 million students have so far keyed into the NELFUND scheme.
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the plight of Nigerians displaced from their communities by insecurity and forced to live in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Obi made the remarks in an Independence Day post shared on his official X account as Nigeria marks its 66th anniversary.
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The NDC presidential candidate said he recently visited Sokoto State alongside Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they held consultations on insecurity, out-of-school children, poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse and other challenges confronting residents.
According to Obi, their visit to the Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ramin Kura within Sokoto metropolis was particularly troubling.
He said thousands of women and children were living in deplorable conditions after being displaced from their homes and deprived of basic necessities.
“Many of the children have no access to education. Mothers and children have limited access to basic healthcare,” Obi said.
He questioned why Nigerians who should be living in their communities, attending school, farming their land, running businesses and contributing to the economy are instead living in displacement camps.
“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” he said.
Obi said the situation reflects some of the broader challenges confronting Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, lack of access to education and inadequate healthcare.
He argued that Independence Day should provide an opportunity for honest national reflection and for Nigerians to examine whether the country is moving in the direction envisioned by its founding fathers.
The former Anambra governor said Nigeria remains richly endowed with human and natural resources, but stressed that the country must convert those resources into human development, security, productivity and shared prosperity.
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has asked Nigerians to reflect on the country’s challenges as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
Obi raised the question in an Independence Day post shared on his official X account on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
He said the anniversary should not be reduced to celebration, but should also serve as an opportunity for Nigerians to examine the country’s progress and consider whether it is moving in the direction envisioned by its founding fathers.
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According to Obi, every serious nation must continually ask three questions: “Where are we today? Where do we want to be? How do we get from where we are to where we want to be?”
He argued that despite the promises made by the APC-led government in 2023, Nigeria continues to face serious challenges across critical sectors, including poverty, insecurity, education, unemployment, food security and healthcare.
Obi cited figures which he said showed that more than 140 million Nigerians are living in poverty and severe hardship, while more than 18 million children are out of school.
He also highlighted insecurity, youth unemployment, drug abuse, food insecurity, maternal and infant mortality and low life expectancy as major concerns confronting the country.
Reflecting on the situation, Obi asked: “Are we cursed, or have we become the curse through the choices we have made and the failures we have tolerated?”
He rejected the suggestion that Nigeria is cursed, stressing that the country remains richly endowed with human and natural resources.
“The answer cannot be that Nigeria is cursed. We are a nation immensely endowed and blessed,” he wrote.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s major challenge is not a lack of resources but the failure to convert its resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.
He also referenced his recent visit to Sokoto State with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they consulted with residents on insecurity, poverty, out-of-school children, youth unemployment and drug abuse.
Obi said their visit to an Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis was particularly troubling, noting the difficult conditions faced by displaced women and children.
“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” he said.
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