‘Nigeria lagging behind in achieving sustainable development goals’

Nigeria is lagging behind in achieving most of the targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially in tackling poverty and hunger, analysts have said.

The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

The United Nations Support Plan for the Sahel estimated that Nigeria needs about $337bn to implement the SDGs.

The UN, however, indicated that as of July 2022, the SDGs outlook in Nigeria was not better, stressing that accelerating Sustainable Development Goals across Africa required financing.

It specifically stated that over $300bn was needed to close the growing gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria.

Commenting on the development, the General Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria, Gbenga Komolafe, said, “One of the major concerns especially on poverty in the African region is the fact that no serious effort is being taken by governments in this part of the world, particularly in Nigeria to even attempt to fulfil some of the benchmarks of the SDGs.

“The SDGs elaborate specific activities and actions that would be taken by governments to achieve those goals. Unfortunately, policies and programmes of the government contradict the stated objectives and actions that are supposed to be taken in achieving the SDGs.

“For instance, SDG Goals 8 and 11 call for training and regulated access for informal workers, yet the government’s efforts in this area are minimal.”

Komolafe further noted that “when the government comes up with programmes to address some of these concerns, they are politicised. Those who help them win elections help them to govern very serious programmes and they see the programmes as avenues to enrich themselves.”

Komolafe gave an instance, as he said the former humanitarian affairs minister allegedly misused the funds that were intended to cushion the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal.

“The incident was in the public space, but no action has been taken, and no money has been recovered,” he stated.

He noted that the SDG programmes were fading, adding, “As a result, poverty is increasing, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting worsening multi-dimensional poverty, likely exacerbated by current government reforms.”