The Lagos Model United Nations (LMUN), hosted at the University of Lagos, recently convened delegates, youth leaders, and practitioners to deliberate on global challenges and innovative solutions. The conference theme on “Pact For The Future: Advancing Multilateralism to Tackle Climate Change For a Sustainable Future focused on the need for collective action to address the urgent global challenge of climate change for a progressive world.
A highlight of the conference was the panel on Partnerships That Drive Action: A Practical Approach to Achieving the SDGs which had Ms Omozele Susan, Mr Joshua Alade and Mr Busayo Amoo who shared insights on the role of collaboration in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his remarks, Joshua emphasized that meaningful partnerships must recognize young people as equal stakeholders. He noted that youth are not simply beneficiaries of development programmes but are active contributors with the capacity to design and implement solutions. He highlighted the experience of NGYouthSDGs in building multi-stakeholder coalitions that engage government, private sector, and civil society to promote youth participation in climate action, education, and policy co-creation.
Partnerships fail as a result of lack of accountability. Even when structures and systems are in place, the absence of accountability can result in the failure of partnerships – Joshua Alade
The discussion underscored the importance of clarity, trust, and shared accountability in sustaining partnerships. Joshua reflected on common challenges such as resource competition, duplication of efforts, and fragmented initiatives. He stressed that effective collaboration requires openness, a willingness to compromise, and an appreciation of the unique value each partner brings to the table.
Panelists and participants also explored how partnerships can be leveraged to amplify local initiatives, scale proven solutions, and strengthen advocacy for inclusive policies. The conversation reaffirmed that the SDGs cannot be achieved by any single actor, but through collective effort grounded in mutual respect and commitment to impact.
For NGYouthSDGs, participation in LMUN was an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of youth leadership in advancing the 2030 Agenda. The organization remains committed to building partnerships that create spaces for young people to lead, contribute, and thrive.
The panel concluded with a call to deepen collaboration across sectors and generations. By centering youth voices in these efforts, Nigeria and Africa can accelerate progress toward sustainable development and foster a future where young people are equipped and empowered to drive change.
