Lagos Engages Stakeholders on Second Voluntary Local Review of SDGs

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has convened a wide-ranging stakeholder engagement session to review and validate the State’s Second Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the Sustainable Development Goals. The session underscores Lagos’ commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking.

The session, held at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, was declared open by Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, who described the review as a strategic roadmap that strengthens governance, fosters inclusiveness, and ensures development actions deliver real impact for Lagosians.

“The Voluntary Local Review goes beyond reporting — it is a dynamic mechanism promoting inclusion, accountability, and stronger governance frameworks at the subnational level,” Dr. Finnih explained.

She added that since the first Lagos VLR in 2023, the State has scaled up initiatives to reduce inequality, bridge developmental gaps, and promote shared prosperity across sectors.

“Our commitment to strategic policy alignment inspires collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and communities, finding smarter and sustainable solutions for everyday challenges,” she said.

The 2025 VLR incorporates the voices of youth, women, and vulnerable groups to ensure that development decisions remain people-centered and inclusive. The validation workshop also provides an avenue to strengthen coordination among government, private-sector, and civil-society actors, aligning budgets, policies, and programs with SDG targets.

Stakeholder Contributions and Commendations

In his remarks, Dr. Baba Yusuf Yunusa, Senior Technical Advisor to the Presidency on SDGs, praised Lagos State’s proactive approach, highlighting the State as a model of subnational commitment to SDGs.

“The SDGs are about people, ensuring that no one is left behind. Governments must mobilize resources, foster partnerships, and sustain political commitment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda,” he stated.

The technical session was conducted by TRUSSVERSE Consulting and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), facilitating presentations and discussions to validate data, refine KPIs, and align strategic priorities with the global SDG agenda.Key Attendees

Notable participants included:

• Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs

• Mr. Bashiru Oseni-Ope, Director, Lagos Bureau of Statistics

• Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Co-founder, Lagos Island Connect

• SDG Champions across MDAs

• Development Partners, Private Sector Leaders, Academia, Civil Society, and Grassroots Organizations

The finalized 2025 Lagos VLR will serve as a critical tool to track progress, shape evidence-based policies, and guide future development actions across the State.