Participants at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Global Executive Roundtable and the Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), have rated the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highly for its reported efforts in climate governance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primary healthcare and basic education.
The assessment was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary, UNGA High-Level Global Executive Roundtable Side Event 2026, Kunle Yussuf, MON, at the high-level event held at Conference Room 11, United Nations Headquarters, New York, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event was co-convened by the Global Organization for Sustainable Development Goals (GOFSDGs), an organisation in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), in partnership with CSCHEI and in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
The roundtable, with Nigeria as its pilot demonstration country, focused on innovative climate financing, blended finance, de-risked investment models and stronger partnerships to accelerate sustainable development in the Global South.
According to the statement, participants commended the Federal Government under President Tinubu for its reported investments in climate governance, climate finance and SDG implementation.
It said Nigeria had established 21 substantive appointments with dedicated climate change mandates, while the revitalisation of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall was highlighted for its role in combating desertification, supporting climate adaptation and strengthening livelihood resilience.
The statement said the initiatives were considered within the framework of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions, the Paris Agreement and obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adding that they could strengthen the country’s access to green bonds, carbon credits and adaptation financing.
The roundtable also welcomed the reported presidential approval for the domestication of the SDGs across all 774 local government areas, describing the move as an avenue for ensuring that development targets reach communities at the grassroots.
Participants also highlighted developments at the subnational level, particularly in Lagos State, where investments in educational infrastructure were recognised, alongside the establishment of civil society desks across ministries.
Zamfara State was similarly highlighted for initiatives covering water provision, human capital development and community protection.
Speaking further on the outcome of the roundtable, CSCHEI Director-General, Kunle Yussuf, MON, who doubles as the Secretary, UNGA High-Level Global Executive Roundtable Side Event 2026, said the discussions provided an opportunity to place Nigeria’s development priorities before an international audience and promote stronger partnerships around climate action, education and the SDGs.
“Going forward, the focus must be on translating commitments into practical implementation, strengthening access to financing and supporting initiatives that can deliver measurable benefits to vulnerable populations at the community level,” Yussuf said.
He added that, “We must continue to build partnerships that promote accountability, inclusive development and effective resource mobilisation, while ensuring that climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our people.”
The roundtable adopted resolutions including the operationalisation of the Global Partnership Network Support System (GPNSS), structured follow-up and impact tracking anchored by UNITAR, and the deployment of goodwill envoys and humanitarian ambassadors as focal champions for resource mobilisation and high-level advocacy.
Participants also called for a strengthened United Nations presence in Nigeria and consideration of the re-establishment or expansion of relocated United Nations agencies and programmes in the country.
The organisers further resolved that the high-level roundtable should become an annual event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly to sustain discussions on development financing, climate action and SDG implementation.
The statement said the outcomes reaffirmed the importance of climate financing, private-sector partnerships, accountability and inclusive development in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Signed:
Kunle Yusuff, MON
Secretary, UNGA High-Level Global Executive Roundtable, 2026.
