A recent report from the World Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Organisation has ranked Nigeria and Africa below average in the achievement of the 17 global SDGs, raising alarms about the region’s ability to meet the 2030 targets.
Mr. Yahaya Muhammad, the African Continental Governor of the Organisation, addressed the concerning findings during the group’s inaugural retreat in Abuja.
He called for urgent action to accelerate SDG implementation, particularly at the grassroots level.
Other key figures at the event included Mr. Fubes Danor, Executive Director for Africa, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, Director of the Climate Action Agency-West Africa, and Mr. Umar Faruk, Director of the Zero Hunger Agency-West Africa.
According to Mr. Muhammad, the slow progress in both Nigeria and Africa is largely due to factors such as insecurity, poor governance, and a lack of strong political will.
He urged African leaders to take concrete actions to achieve the SDGs, emphasizing the need to focus on sustainable development, job creation, and improved living conditions.
The retreat, held on Saturday in Abuja, aimed to discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges and meeting the 2030 SDG targets.
Mr. Muhammad recommended overhauling SDG units in Nigeria and establishing dedicated departments at the municipal and state levels to better manage development.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector in driving progress.