UN SDSN Nigeria concludes sustainability forum, eyes July 2026 session on policy, research

Ahmed Aliyu Joda, Kano

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Nigeria has commended stakeholders for their active participation and robust engagement at its recently concluded Sustainability Research and Policy Forum, held to strengthen collaboration between research, policy, and practice in advancing sustainable development across the country.

In an appreciation message seen by The Mirror Online, the SDSN Nigeria Programmes Team described the forum as impactful, noting that participants’ “insights and contributions greatly enriched the discussions and strengthened the overall quality and impact of the Forum.”

The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and civil society actors to deepen dialogue at the intersection of evidence-based research and policymaking—an approach widely regarded as critical to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

Discussions at the forum also resonated with ongoing development priorities in Kano State, particularly in areas such as youth empowerment, tourism development, and climate resilience.

Stakeholders from the state emphasized the need for “greater sub-national inclusion in national sustainability frameworks,” especially in tackling youth unemployment and building adaptive capacity to climate challenges.

Participants further highlighted the importance of aligning grassroots realities with national and global sustainability targets, stressing that inclusive policy design must reflect local socio-economic conditions to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.

SDSN Nigeria confirmed that feedback gathered from participants is currently being reviewed as part of efforts to enhance future engagements and ensure more targeted, outcome-driven discussions.

Looking ahead, the network announced that its next Sustainability Forum is scheduled for July 2026, where it aims to consolidate gains from previous sessions while expanding participation across sectors and regions.

“We remain committed to advancing dialogue for sustainable development in Nigeria,” the Programmes Team stated, adding that it looks forward to “continued engagement and active participation” from stakeholders nationwide.

The SDSN initiative continues to play a strategic role in bridging knowledge gaps and fostering collaboration among institutions, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development through informed policy and research integration.