The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which spanned over the period 2000 – 2015. The MDGs focused largely on social outcomes, while key development priorities, such as infrastructure and energy were not prioritized. On the other hand, the SDGs reflect the challenges that were encountered over the years; thus, emphasizing the underlying drivers of sustainable development and not just measurable outcomes. The SDGs have adopted an all-inclusive approach, taking on board challenges faced by all nations and promoting the cooperation between the private and public sector in the execution of its goals.

 

Thus, the SDGs provide opportunities as well as challenges for developing countries including Nigeria, although Nigeria, the cost of its implementation is high. However, it can fetch long-term benefits. This is because nations have their peculiarities and different perspectives. As a result, Nigeria attempted to translate each relevant SDG into a Development Plan, referred to as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP, 2017- 2020). Therefore, one can rightly summarize that without effectively integrating the SDGs into plans and policies, challenges with its implementation remain unresolved. There are four major challenges that need to be addressed for achieving the SDGs in Nigeria, which include funding, maintaining peace, measuring progress and accountability.

Data source: National Bureau of Statistics

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