Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was on full display at the United Nations Headquarters on Monday, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, led the Nigerian delegation to the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and delivered the country’s national statement at the opening of the Ministerial Segment.
Speaking on the theme “UN@80: Catalysing Change for Sustainable Development,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire joined global leaders in assessing progress and shaping strategic responses to the ongoing challenges affecting SDGs delivery worldwide.
“The world faces a stark reality,” she warned, “with only about 17% of SDGs targets on track. Accelerated, transformative actions are urgently needed, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where global shocks and economic challenges continue to exacerbate poverty and inequality.”
She aligned Nigeria’s position with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, while offering the country’s unique perspectives and experiences in SDGs implementation.
Highlighting national milestones, the Presidential Adviser outlined Nigeria’s alignment of the SDGs with major policy frameworks such as the National Development Plan (2021–2025), Nigeria Agenda 2050, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. She noted that these frameworks prioritise inclusive growth, food and national security, infrastructure development, industrialisation, and enhanced governance.
Key innovations referenced included the Nigeria Integrated Sustainable Development Goals (iSDG) model, Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), and the realignment of the national statistical system to support SDG tracking and evidence-based policymaking.
On economic reforms, Princess Orelope-Adefulire spotlighted the discontinuation of fuel subsidies, the unification of foreign exchange rates, and a sweeping new tax legislation as bold steps taken to improve fiscal space and encourage investment. “These policy shifts are already bearing fruit, with a recent positive upgrade in Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating,” she stated.
Health sector transformation was also featured prominently in Nigeria’s statement. The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, anchored on a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), was described as a flagship reform programme focused on strategic coordination among government institutions, private sector players, and development partners to achieve better health outcomes and strengthen health security.
This year’s forum also marked a decade of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), with Nigeria presenting its third VNR since the SDGs’ adoption. “Our 2025 VNR emphasises inclusive action and a ‘whole-of-government and whole-of-society’ approach to drive accelerated progress,” she affirmed, referencing earlier VNRs in 2017 and 2020.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire lauded the value of peer learning at the HLPF, celebrating the shared experiences of the 36 other countries that presented VNRs. She also welcomed the outcome of the recent International Conference on Financing for Development, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as a key pillar for financing sustainable development.
In concluding her address, the SSAP-SDGs declared:
“Nigeria will remain steadfast in its commitment to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We will continue to champion universal values, promote global solidarity, and advocate transformative solutions to ensure no one is left behind.”
The 2025 HLPF, which runs from July 14 to 23, convenes under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), bringing together ministers, civil society, private sector actors, and development partners from around the world to review progress and mobilise efforts to deliver on the SDGs as the UN marks its 80th anniversary.
