Welcome to the United Nations
NIGERIA’S 2025 VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MAIN MESSAGES
Nigeria continues to demonstrate resolute commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With deliberate and strategic efforts, the country has instituted robust policy and institutional frameworks at national and sub-national levels to ensure effective and inclusive implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These frameworks include the alignment of the National Statistical System with the SDGs, the country-led evaluation of SDG implementation, the design and rollout of the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), and the adoption of the Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan, each contributing to a more coherent and coordinated development agenda.
Since 2016, Nigeria’s development strategies have been firmly anchored in the SDGs. The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017–2020), the Economic Sustainability Plan (2020) developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the National Development Plan (2021–2025) reflect the country's resolve to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development. The current plan, in particular, aims to unlock Nigeria’s vast economic potential through broad-based, inclusive, and resilient economic transformation.
Nigeria’s Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) undertaken in 2017, 2020, and 2025, highlight a consistent commitment to accountability, inclusivity, and evidence-based policymaking. The 2017 VNR focused on institutional readiness and governance structures for SDG delivery, while the 2020 VNR was aligned with development priorities under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The 2025 VNR adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. A comprehensive Country SDGs Progress Report formed the basis for a nationwide consultative process involving the six geopolitical zones, along with specialised engagements with Persons with Disabilities and Children and Youth. This inclusive and participatory process ensured that voices from all segments of the Nigerian society contributed to shaping the national SDGs narrative.
The 2025 VNR focuses specifically on five priority reporting SDGs—SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), providing a deeper analysis of national progress and areas requiring urgent intervention. In terms of progress, Nigeria has made important strides in institutionalizing the SDGs across policy and planning frameworks. Nearly a decade into implementation, however, results remain mixed. Of the 52 key performance indicators reviewed in the 2024 SDGs Progress Report, 18 (34.6%) show improvement, while 16 (30.8%) have stagnated and another 18 (34.6%) have regressed. Structural fiscal challenges persist. Government revenue remains low, representing just 9.6% of GDP in 2023. The tax-to-GDP ratio has modestly risen from 5.5% in 2020 to 6.7% in 2022. Remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora continue to serve as a vital economic buffer, contributing nearly 6% of GDP.
Global crises have significantly disrupted momentum toward the SDGs. The confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying climate change impacts, and rising geopolitical conflicts have generated widespread economic and social shocks. These shocks triggered lockdowns, travel restrictions, disrupted supply chains, and led to a sharp contraction in economic activity. Global GDP declined by 3.4%, translating to over USD 2 trillion in lost economic output. Many countries, including Nigeria, have faced slowed, stagnated, or reversed SDG progress as a result.
As the 2030 deadline approaches, Nigeria must scale up its commitment to targeted reforms and strategic investments. Strengthening the reengineered National Statistical System and implementing the Inclusive Data Charter Roadmap will be critical to ensuring the availability of timely, reliable, and disaggregated data to inform responsive policymaking. Equally vital is the formulation and execution of the next Medium-Term National Development Plan (2026–2030), which must be transformative, inclusive, and climate-resilient geared towards unlocking catalytic opportunities for sustainable and equitable growth across all sectors.
