Sustainable Development Goals and Nigeria
Sustainable Development Goals and Nigeria is about how Nigeria is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals within the thirty-six states and its Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of seventeen global goals designed as a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". Each of the 17 goals is expected to be achieved by 2030 in every country around the world. In 2017, Nigeria was among 44 member countries of the United Nations that presented its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the SDGs at  High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. In 2020, Nigeria was ranked 160 on the 2020 world's SDG Index. The government affirmed that Nigeria's current development priorities and objectives are focused on achieving the SDGs. Background. Nigeria became a member of the United Nations on 7th Oct 1960. Nigeria is cited as the "most populous nation in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world". Nigeria gained her independence on 1 October 1960. In 2012, Nigeria contributed the fifth largest number of peacekeepers to United Nations peacekeeping operations. The SDGs or the Project 2030 is a global  call to put an end to poverty, secure the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity by 2030. It was adopted by 193 countries with Nigeria as one of its country members. The SDGs are set of seventeen interconnected goals which have targets with at least one or two indicators for each targets. The implementation of "Global Goals" for all kicked off in January, 2015. Its objectives are to ensure social inclusion, protect the environment and foster economic growth. Governments, private sector, research, academia and CSOs receive support from the UN as the SDGs encourage partnerships. It ensures  the right choices are adopted now to improve life for future generations in a sustainable way. The SDGs are blueprints for the world to experience peace and prosperity at the fullest by 2030. According to the agreement of Nigerian government with the United Nations, it aims to align its development priorities in partnership with CSOs and the private sector to achieve the SDGs together. The Agenda 2030, is designed to build sustainable world around the five P's, namely; "People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships," which span across the 17 SDGs. In 2017, Nigeria was among 44 member countries of  the United Nations that presented its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the 2030 agenda and the SDGs at HLPF. To achieve these set Goals in Nigeria both Government, Non-governmental organizations and academics institutions in the Country are doing their best to see it achievable. 17 Sustainable Developmental Goals. Goal 1 - No Poverty. Putting a complete end to poverty has remained a challenge for humanity. Many people live just above poverty level across nations. Hence, no poverty becomes the first goal of the 17 SDGs. Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. Food is important to human existence. The SDGs  aim to put an end to food scarcity, and by inference, hunger by 2030. It intends to make sure that most people, especially children, have sufficient and nutritious food all year round. Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-Being. According to United Nations, at least 400 million people lacks access to basic healthcare, and 40 percent with no social protection. The Sustainable development goals is a challenge to reduce neglected tropical diseases, AIDS, hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was launched to align the SDGs with a target by 2030, Maternal  Mortality Ratio would have decreased to 70/100,000 live births. Goal 4 - Education. Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Nigeria reported that it has the highest number of out of school children in the world, an estimate of 10.5 million in 2016. Hence, the implementation of State Universal Basic Education Board's provision of free Universal Basic Education for every Nigerian child of school going age. Goal 5 - Gender Equality. In 2000, Nigeria passed into law the National Policy on women guided by the Global Instrument on the Convention of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In 2015, National Bureau  of Statistics report showed improvement in girls' access to education, with enrollment for female in primary and secondary schools increased from 46.7 percent and 47.1 percent in 2010 to 48.3 percent and 47.9 percent respectively in 2015. Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation. According to UNICEF, poor water supply and sanitation costs the Nigerian economy about 1.3% of GDP annually, Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy. Nigeria has one of the highest energy access deficit globally with about 90 million Nigerians (50% of the population) lacking access to grid electricity. Nigeria claims to achieve a 13% contribution of hydroelectricity to  the electricity generation mix by 2020; a 1% contribution of wind energy to the nation’s electricity generation mix by 2020; and a 3% and 6% contribution of solar energy to the nation’s electricity generation mix by 2020 and 2030 respectively. Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015. The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. With these  targets in mind, the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and decent work, for all women and men by 2030. Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Technological progress in Nigeria is dependent on the access to Information, digital platforms and Internet. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) 2013 reports showed there are over 70 million Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) contributing to 50 percentage of Nigeria’s GDP, but it was noted that less than 5 percentage of these businesses have adequate access to financial credit system. The priority areas of assistance to  these MSMEs are access to finance, provision of infrastructure,and regular power supply. Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities. This goal aims to reduce social and economic inequalities within Nigeria and among its associated countries Reporting structures. Since the year 2017, Nigeria has volunteered to be among the countries to review the progress of the 2030 Agenda. Voluntary National Review (VNR) presentations are annual reviews presented to the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Nigeria was among 44 member countries of the United Nations that presented its Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the 2030 agenda and the  SDGs at HLPF. In 2020, Nigeria also volunteered with other 46 countries for VNR. The review focuses on; The focus areas are based on the current development priorities and objectives. "The report was given in spite of the covid-19 Pandemic which is believed to slow down the progress of the 2030 Agenda." Performance. 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR). In July 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari presented the report at the HLPF's second panel session, online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He gave the progress of seven of the SDGs which are referred to as core to  the country at large. Financing. On July 1, 2020 Nigeria officially commenced the process of designing and implementing an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for financing national development priorities and achieving the SDGs. The integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) is a United Nations initiative to support countries in operationalizing the agreements of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) for financing the SDGs. UNDP has been supporting the government and its people by addressing development challenges, strengthening and building institutions that promote inclusive sustainable development and democratic governance. For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, UNDP partnered with Japan to support Nigeria 's health and socio-economic response. Challenges. The year 2020, which is referred to as "Decade of Action" is said to have slow progress regards the progress of SDGs as reported by President Muhammadu Buhari during Nigeria's 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR)." The focus of the report was on issues of poverty (SDG-1) and an inclusive economy (SDG-8), health and wellbeing (SDG-3), Education (SDG-4), Gender equality (SDG-5), and the enabling environment of peace and security (SDG-16), and partnerships (SDG-17). Society and culture. Higher education. There are various institution across the country committed to creating SDGs awareness, one of these  is the University of Ibadan Centre for Sustainable development (CESDEV). The "Centre" was established by the University of Ibadan as a demonstration of the University's commitment to "Sustainable Development." Event. The Lagos SDGs Week is an annual week-long event commemorated by coalescing cross-sectoral stakeholders to synergise Altruism, Advocacy & Action with a view to identifying solutions, reviewing progress, amplifying   awareness, collaborating and reaffirming commitment towards accelerating efforts to achieve the 2030 SDGs. The SDGs week features Open Goal Adoption by Prominent Lagosians, Neighbourhood Outreach Campaign, Future of Lagos Hackathon, Local Government / LCDAs Discourse on SDGs. These programmes are  intrinsically linked in their purpose to fast-track efforts towards progress for the delivery of the SDGs in Lagos State. Organizations. These are the list of organizations accelerating Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: