Nigerian government says private capital is critical to ending poverty as UN highlights gains in health, education and humanitarian interventions.
The Federal Government and the United Nations (UN) have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a renewed focus on innovative financing, poverty reduction, social protection and inclusive development ahead of the 2030 deadline.
The commitment was reiterated on Monday at the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Joint Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja, where government officials, UN agencies, development partners, labour representatives and civil society organisations reviewed progress under the 2023–2027 cooperation framework.
Speaking at the meeting, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, described the UNSDCF as the strategic roadmap guiding collaboration between the UN and Nigeria in achieving the SDGs while supporting the country’s National Development Plan and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the framework represents a shift from previous cooperation arrangements by promoting stronger UN system coordination, strategic partnerships, stakeholder participation and alignment with national development priorities.
Fall said the framework is anchored on four interconnected pillars: People, Prosperity, Peace and Planet, which are essential for sustainable development.
“Prosperity cannot happen without peace, and peace cannot endure without development. Opportunities must be accessible to all, while protection of vulnerable populations and the environment remains essential,” he said.
Millions Benefit from Development Programmes
Highlighting progress recorded under the cooperation framework, Fall said millions of Nigerians have benefited from interventions in healthcare, nutrition, education, humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and governance.
According to him, more than two million people received humanitarian support, including cash assistance during lean periods, while 2.6 million people benefited from disaster risk reduction programmes.
He disclosed that nearly one million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition received life-saving treatment in 2025, with cure rates approaching 90 per cent.
Fall also revealed that about 40 million children received Vitamin A supplementation, while 190 million children were reached through polio vaccination campaigns.
He described the Presidential Declaration on National Health Insurance as a major milestone in expanding healthcare access and ensuring sustainable financing for vulnerable Nigerians.
In the WASH sector, he said more than nine million Nigerians gained access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene services, while 4.2 million people benefited from programmes promoting cleaner and safer environments.
On education, Fall noted that 6.8 million children benefited from school programmes across 18 states, while more than 66,000 out-of-school children were re-enrolled into formal education.
FG Calls for Private Sector Financing
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, described the Nigeria-UN partnership as critical to delivering measurable development outcomes.
With less than four years to the SDG deadline, Bagudu said governments alone cannot provide the level of funding required to achieve the global goals.
“The reality is that the Sustainable Development Goals require more resources than governments alone can provide. We must unlock private capital and mobilise innovative financing mechanisms that can support development at scale,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms have freed up resources previously tied to inefficient subsidy regimes, creating opportunities for increased investments in healthcare, education and social development.
Bagudu added that providing Nigerians with access to skills, financing and economic opportunities remains key to reducing poverty and driving inclusive growth.
Poverty Reduction Remains Priority
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring no Nigerian is left behind.
He highlighted the implementation of the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), designed to coordinate humanitarian interventions, social protection and poverty reduction programmes across the country.
According to him, the framework strengthens collaboration among federal and state governments, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Doro also underscored the role of the National Poverty Intelligence Lab, which provides real-time multidimensional poverty data to guide evidence-based policy decisions.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda and the 2030 Agenda share a common objective: ending poverty, expanding healthcare and education, strengthening food security, empowering women and youth, and building resilient communities,” he said.
READ ALSO:
- Nigeria Exceeds OPEC Quota Again as Crude Output Hits 6-year High
- United Nigeria Unveils 2 New Aircraft, Names after Chinua Achebe, Obi of Onitsha
- Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Exports Rise to N354bn on Reform Gains
- Alliance Warns Nigeria Nearing Institutional Collapse, Urges Reforms
Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, called for stronger institutional collaboration, improved project preparation and implementation frameworks, as well as innovative financing models to bridge funding gaps and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
She also urged the media to continue raising public awareness about the partnership and its impact.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that stronger partnerships, improved policy coordination, innovative financing and sustained commitment would enable Nigeria to make significant progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving the lives of millions of citizens before 2030.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.