Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs), in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre, Abuja, recently hosted an impactful event to strengthen youth leadership and encourage active engagement among young Nigerians in shaping their future. The event was aligned with the UN’s Pact for the Future, which focuses on sustainable development and financing, peace and security, science, technology, and innovation, digital cooperation, youth empowerment, and transforming global governance.
The event which recorded 120 attendees provided a platform to raise participants’ awareness and understanding of the UN Pact for the Future, emphasising the importance of young Nigerians in advancing sustainable development. Participants gained insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learned about the UN’s efforts in Nigeria, particularly those centered on youth-focused initiatives.
The program featured panel sessions with key thought leaders, an interactive dialogue that engaged youth voices, and a spoken word presentation that creatively inspired attendees. Collectively, these elements fostered a stronger connection between young Nigerians and the UN’s mission, laying the groundwork for sustainable, youth-driven change.
Event Highlights
NGYouthSDGs Senior Programmes Associate, Boluwatife Ajayi opened the webinar with an introduction highlighting the objectives of the session alongside the agenda, followed by a welcome address by the Executive Director of NGYouthSDGs, Joshua Alade. He emphasized the significance of SDG implementation in Nigeria and posed a critical question on how the United Nations could better equip Nigerian youth to make impactful contributions. Reflecting on past dialogues, he said, “I am reminded of four years ago when we had the United Nations at 75, where the UN discussed furthering progress with impact.” He added, “The Pact for the Future calls on efforts toward SDG actualization. As young Nigerians working towards these goals, how can we ensure that the Pact drives impactful change?” He concluded by asking, “How can the UN help equip and shape Nigeria through its youth?”
The webinar also featured a spoken word performance by Deborah Johnson on the theme of community building, setting a reflective tone before the main panel discussion. The panel, moderated by Deborah Adelaja, included experts in community development and social innovation: Mohammed Yayandi, Karimot Odebode, Abraham Ologundudu, and Tinomuda Daphne Gora.
Key takeaways from the panel discussion included:
- Ms Tinomuda emphasized sports as a tool for youth engagement in security and peacebuilding, noting that “sports promote leadership, teamwork, social cohesion, and gender equality, fostering unity and cooperation.”
- Mr Yayandi addressed digital innovation and job creation, advising young people to build skills but reminding them that skill acquisition doesn’t always lead to immediate job opportunities. He encouraged local volunteering, advising youth to “start earning in Naira first.” He also stressed the importance of holding governments accountable and understanding the principles outlined in the Pact for the Future.
- Ms Karimot highlighted how the Pact reinforces key UN goals around SDGs, peace and security, and human rights, advocating for youth freedom of expression. She stressed the power of creative expression, such as spoken word and storytelling, in civic engagement.
- Mr Abraham discussed the role of media and the arts in social change, outlining four critical areas: capacity building, inclusive access to resources, public-private partnerships for creative hubs, and policy support with accountability.
In response to whether Artificial Intelligence is the answer to Nigeria’s digital challenges, Mr Yayandi remarked, “AI is not the answer. Our own creative thought processes are crucial, though AI can assist as an enabler.”
On equipping youth for civic engagement, Ms Karimot called young people “great assets already making impacts” and advocated for youth-friendly policies, legal protections, and educational reforms that prioritize skill development. “Education is the bedrock to the betterment of society,” she said, adding that teachers’ well-being should also be prioritized.
Mr Abraham, in his closing statements, emphasized the importance of collaborative and multilingual approaches, transparency platforms like open data, and using technology to ensure accountability for the SDGs.
Finally, Ms Tinomuda shared her vision, stating, “If I were a minister, I would prioritize effective policy implementation, aligning the Pact with SDG goals and Nigeria’s unique challenges. Collaboration, partnerships, and robust monitoring and evaluation would be key.”
In an interactive session moderated by Elizabeth Adepoju, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and share their key takeaways from the session, fostering an interactive exchange of ideas.
Ms Boluwatife Ajayi closed the event with her final remarks, bringing the impactful webinar to an end. She wrapped up by summarising the main points from each panelist, highlighting insights on community building, civic engagement, and youth empowerment. She encouraged participants to share their learnings on social media, helping to spread the message of the Pact for the Future, and invited them to stay connected with NGYouthSDGs for future engagements.
Overall, this webinar not only deepened understanding of the Pact for the Future but also inspired a renewed commitment to SDG action among young Nigerians. The engagement and enthusiasm displayed by participants suggest a strong foundation for future initiatives, fostering a community dedicated to sustainable development. As attendees continue to share their learnings on social media and remain connected with NGYouthSDGs, the momentum for impactful change is set to grow, ensuring that the voices of youth in Nigeria are heard and acted upon.
