The Gombe State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Project Support Unit has hosted a North East Regional Consultation on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR).
The consultation, held on Sunday at the International Hotel, Gombe, was themed: “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, and Science-Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Goals, with a Focus on Leaving No One Behind.”
The VNR process serves as a critical mechanism for sharing experiences, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned, with the overarching goal of accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
This regional consultation aimed to strengthen government policies and institutions, ensuring Nigeria’s 2025 VNR aligns with global standards. It also provided a platform to gather insights from the North East region, contributing to a comprehensive and effective national review.
In a keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, represented by Dr. Bala Yunusa, emphasized that these consultations ensure Nigeria’s VNR process remains inclusive and evidence-based.
She noted that the 2025 VNR will mark Nigeria’s third review, following previous submissions in 2017 and 2020. Nigeria is set to present its progress alongside 38 other nations at the UN Summit in July 2025.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Focal Person for the Gombe State SDGs Project Support Unit, Engr. Suleiman Turaki, welcomed participants and described the meeting as a testament to collective efforts toward advancing sustainable, inclusive, and science-evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda.
He noted that the consultation provided an opportunity to discuss progress, address challenges, and ensure no one is left behind.
Turaki expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their contributions, highlighting that their efforts would ensure the North East region remains on track toward sustainable and equitable growth.
He urged participants to share ideas and propose solutions that would foster sustainable progress, inspire innovative policies, and drive overall development in the region and the country.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the newly established Gombe State Disability Commission, Mr. Ishaku Adamu, commended the SDGs for including people with disabilities in the discussions.
He appealed for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in SDGs programs and praised the Gombe State Government under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, as well as other North East states that have established Disability Commissions.
He also urged states yet to take similar steps to do so, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the region’s development efforts.
