SDGs; Moving Women , Girls to the Next Level for Sustainable Development,

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

As part of her moves to consolidate women and girls emancipation, Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs under the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, SSAP SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope -Adefulire created an enabling environment not only to chart a new course towards achieving it as part of its goals in the UN programs, that highlighted women and girls emancipation.

As the life wire of families , the attention of women and girls are been prioritised globally and domesticated in line with the 17 goals of SDGs , international standards, and provisions.

Hence the celebration and commemoration of the international Women’s Day , IWD, an annual event both locally and internationally cannot be overemphasized, giving the significance of the event to humanity.

According to an adage, empowering women and girls is tantamount to empowering the entire family, therefore concerted efforts by governments and the private sector cannot be overlooked in the present dispensation.

Therefore , SDGs proactivness towards women and girls development through massive investments of any sort, is a corrolary to resolving both local and global crises.

Giving the resilience, achievements and contributions of women and girls to both national ans global fore, no doubt guarantees attention to women and girls must go beyond lips service.

The global body aside emancipation and empowerment of women and girls child through series of programs sponsored and partnered by SDGs, has also advocated towards more investments, supports both from the public, private and public spirited individuals on the need to invest more in women and girls.

In line with SDGs, Goal 5 with emphasis on gender equality in favour of women and girls, which in turn had positive multiplier effects, that reduced to the barest minimum poverty reduction , more attention to Education, Health , Economic growth and Social inclusion of women and girls.

According to the observers , inline with the global body, the moral burden of empowering women and girls, will resolve development gap.

With commitment to women and girls welfare by SDGs , it is obvious that many folds of opportunities, significant benefits to families, communities and nations are bound .

This had led to more efforts both locally and internationally to women and girls desiring more attention, as veritable tools for good leadership and governance across board , stating that achievements of the UN SDGs will fell short of expectations without women and girls inclusion.

Excerpts further revealed….

IWD 2026: Orelope-Adefulire Urges Greater Investment in Women, Girls
• Says empowering women will accelerate SDGs and national development

“The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has called for increased investment in women and girls as a critical pathway to achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.”

“Orelope-Adefulire made the call on Saturday in Abuja while commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, joining the global community in celebrating the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women to national and global development.”

“The 2026 celebration is themed “Give To Gain,” a call for individuals, governments, and institutions to invest more resources, opportunities, and support in women and girls in order to unlock broader societal progress.”

“According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategy, Desmond Utomwen, the presidential aide noted that empowering women remains central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. She further noted that progress in gender equality has a multiplier effect across other development priorities, including poverty reduction, education, health, economic growth and social inclusion.”

“International Women’s Day reminds us that empowering women and girls is not just a moral obligation but a development imperative,” Orelope-Adefulire said.

“The theme ‘Give To Gain’ reinforces the reality that every investment made in women and girls yields significant benefits for families, communities, and nations.”

“She also highlighted the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening gender inclusion, expanding economic opportunities for women, and promoting social protection programmes that benefit vulnerable groups.”

“According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategy, the administration’s policies and programmes aimed at inclusive growth and human capital development are helping to create more opportunities for women across different sectors of the economy.”

“Orelope-Adefulire explained that gender equality is a cross-cutting driver across the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, noting that no country can achieve sustainable development without the full participation of women.”

“From education and health to economic empowerment and leadership, the role of women is indispensable in building a resilient and prosperous society,” she added.

*The SSAP-SDGs further reiterated its commitment to advancing gender responsive development initiatives across Nigeria through its coordination of SDGs implementation and partnerships with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector.”

” The Office, she said, has continued to support community-based interventions, empowerment programmes, and strategic initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of women and girls across the country. She therefore called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate progress in gender equality and women empowerment.”

“Achieving the SDGs requires a whole of society approach. Governments, private sector organisations, civil society groups, and citizens must all play their part in creating opportunities for women and girls to thrive,” she said.

“Orelope-Adefulire also encouraged Nigerian women and girls to continue breaking barriers, pursuing excellence, and contributing meaningfully to national development in sectors such as governance, entrepreneurship, science, technology, media, and the creative industry. She stressed that building an inclusive society where women have equal opportunities will strengthen Nigeria’s development trajectory.”

“International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8 every year to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also advocating for accelerated action towards gender equality.”

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.