In a strategic move to mobilise collective action for inclusive development, the Lagos State Government, through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has convened a high-level Breakfast Meeting on Sustainable Development Goals.
Themed: “Accelerating SDGs Through Strategic Partnerships”, the event, held at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, brought together diplomats, social entrepreneurs, development organisations, civil society actors, and government leaders for an open dialogue on policy alignment, investment opportunities, and inclusive development.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, underscored the significance of partnerships in advancing sustainable development, emphasising the need for a multi-stakeholder framework to scale cooperation, deepen impact, and unlock shared value across public and private sectors.
The breakfast meeting, according to him, exemplifies partnership that is strategic in unlocking opportunities, bridging gaps, pooling resources and amplifying impact.
Lagos is a resilient and sustainable city where no one is left behind, and has intentionally aligned the State Development Plans with the SDGs. Our THEMES Plus Agenda integrates social inclusion, gender equality, and youth empowerment as core policy pillars.”
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, emphasised Lagos’ multi-sectoral progress in areas such as education, green economy, transportation, and digital innovation.
He noted the completion of the Blue Rail Line, ongoing work on the Red Line, technology integration in schools, and the state’s focus on creating jobs for young people through skills training and enterprise support.
While imploring stakeholders to take advantage of the numerous partnership opportunities Lagos offers to accelerate SDGs, the Deputy Governor emphasised that state and non-state actors must integrate the SDGs into their core operations.
In her goodwill address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that despite the challenges and setbacks facing the global development agenda, the country has remained resolute in its commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
She emphasised that Nigeria has made measurable progress in areas such as poverty reduction, access to quality education, and gender equality, through deliberate policies and multi-sectoral interventions at both the federal and sub-national levels.
Orelope pointed out that global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, regional insurgency, and ongoing conflicts among nations, have significantly impeded the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Senior Special Assistant, however, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to stay on course by strengthening partnerships across all levels of government to drive inclusive, data-driven, and results-oriented implementation of the SDGs.
The Presidential Aide applauded the Lagos State Government for its leadership and innovation in mainstreaming the SDGs through policy, institutional frameworks, and multi-stakeholder platforms, stating that Lagos has emerged as a model for how subnational governments can drive SDG impact through data, innovation, and inclusive partnerships.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, described the breakfast meeting as a vital platform for transparent dialogue, mutual understanding, and the strengthening of productive partnerships that drive real impact.
Dr. Oreoluwa, while pointing out that the true measure of progress lies in the shift from dialogue to co-creation, emphasised the importance of shared responsibility and systems thinking in addressing development challenges at scale.
She noted that Lagos presents a unique development context – one where the SDGs must not only be pursued but also adapted, scaled, and sustained in line with local realities.
While assuring participants that the Office of SDGs will continue to serve as a convener, connector, and catalyst for sustainable development, she acknowledged that the goals are ambitious and the challenges ahead are dynamic.
The highlight of the morning meeting was the collective pledge by stakeholders to support the State’s bold efforts in accelerating the SDGs and resilient outcomes for all.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event included the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Director-Generals and General Managers of MDAs, Consular-Generals and other members of the diplomatic corps, Development Partners, Members of the Organised Private Sector, Members of the Academic Community and Philanthropists.
