In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was launched by more than 150 member nations of the United Nations with 17 goals and 169 targets to end poverty, provide healthcare, improved access to quality education, decent work and fight climate change. As part of the agreement, every country is supposed to present a report card at least every five years on how they are taking action on the SDGs.
If you are wondering how Nigeria is measuring progress on the SDGs, then this article is for you.
But why should you really care about a government report? And what does it mean to you as a young person? I will be sharing everything you need to know about Nigeria’s Voluntary National Review.
What is the Voluntary National Review (VNR)?
The VNR is a report card that member nations of the United Nations voluntarily submit, it details progress on the attainment of the SDGs. It shows the achievements, gaps and what needs urgent action to ensure we have a better world by 2030. This is the third time Nigeria will be. presenting a VNR following previous ones in 2017 and 2020.
Remember I mentioned that the SDGs have 17 goals? For her third VNR, Nigeria prioritised five of the SDGs which are:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goals 17: Partnerships for the Goals
It is important to mention that each of the SDGs are interwoven and within these five priority SDGs, the seventeen SDGs are addressed.
A Closer Look at Nigeria’s 2025 VNR
As a young person there are eight critical issues you need to know about your country and progress made on the SDGs.
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Poverty remains widespread.
133 million of Nigeria’s 200 million population are multidimensionally poor. It means that 63 percent of our population either lack access to healthcare, education, good living conditions and other essential services. Poverty is higher in the North with 65% than in the South with 35%. -
Education progress is mixed.
Primary school attendance rose from 60.9% in 2016 to 68.4% in 2021, showing improvement. However, secondary school attendance slightly declined from 46.9% to 46.7%, meaning many young people still struggle to continue their education. -
Maternal health outcomes are critical.
Maternal mortality remains very high at 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, over ten times the SDG target. Skilled antenatal care slightly decreased, and under-five mortality remains high, though it declined from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2023-2024. -
Gender inequality is persistent.
Nigeria has the highest number of child brides in Africa, with 22 million girls married before age 18. Female genital mutilation has declined but remains at 15.1% among women aged 15–49. -
Food insecurity is worsening.
In 2021, 73.4% of households faced food insecurity. Between October and December 2024, 25 million people were food-insecure, compared to 17 million in 2022. -
Digital and economic growth are promising but unequal.
The ICT sector nearly doubled its GDP contribution from 9.88% in late 2021 to 18% in mid-2022. Nigeria is also becoming a hub for fintech innovation. However, GDP per capita declined from $2,679 in 2015 to $1,621 in 2023, meaning people are earning less in real terms. -
Energy access is still a challenge.
Only 60% of Nigerians have access to electricity, leaving 92 million people without power, the highest deficit globally. However, solar energy capacity increased from 4 megawatts in 2014 to 112 megawatts in 2023. -
Child labour is widespread.
Half of Nigerian children are engaged in economic activities, with 39% involved in child labour and nearly 23% in hazardous work.
Why Does This Matter for Young People?
Young people make up more than 65% of our country’s population and the progress made on the SDGs will reflect in their future outcome.
This VNR matters because:
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It shows us where the country is lagging and where we must act. Whether it is campaigning for better maternal health services, addressing food insecurity in your community, or supporting girls’ education, knowing the gaps helps focus your efforts.
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It provides evidence for advocacy. If you are part of a youth-led organisation, you can use the VNR data to engage with policymakers or design impactful community projects.
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It helps hold leaders accountable. Governments often promise development, but progress reports like the VNR allow citizens to check if these promises are being fulfilled.
What Can You Do with This Report?
Here are practical ways you can use the 2025 VNR
- Read the highlights. Even if you cannot read the full report, knowing the main findings keeps you informed.
- Use the data in your projects and proposals. Funders love evidence-backed ideas. The VNR provides credible national data.
- Start conversations. Share insights from the VNR in your youth group, social media, or community meetings to spark action.
- Engage your local leaders. Ask what is being done in your state or local government area to address issues highlighted in the report.
- Advocate for inclusion. The VNR showed that youth voices were included in consultations. Keep pushing for youth inclusion in planning and implementation.
The Road Ahead
Nigeria’s VNR concludes with a call for stronger partnerships, more inclusive policies, and innovative solutions to accelerate SDG progress by 2030. Our country plans to continue submitting VNRs every two years until 2030 to keep momentum.
As young people, we have the most to gain and the most to lose if these goals are not achieved. But we also have the power to drive change, hold leaders accountable, and co-create solutions for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable Nigeria.
Download the full Nigeria 2025 VNR report.
Question for you: Which of these findings surprised you the most, and what action will you take in your community to address it?
