LAGOS GOVT FLAGS OFF QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR VOLUNTARY LOCAL REVIEW OF SDGs
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The Lagos State Government has commenced a comprehensive Qualitative Assessment exercise as part of its Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The exercise, organised by the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to strengthen participatory governance by capturing the voices, experiences, and aspirations of citizens across communities in Lagos State to improve the quality of the VLR report.
Speaking at the flag-off held recently in Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, described the initiative as a crucial step in ensuring inclusive growth, sustainable development, and people-centred governance.
“Our VLR is not just about reporting progress; it is about co-creating solutions, identifying gaps, and reinforcing partnerships that can accelerate the realisation of the SDGs in our lifetime”, she stated.
Dr. Finnih stressed that beyond numbers and statistics, the lived experiences of men, women, youth, community leaders, and vulnerable groups in communities across the state would give depth and credibility to the VLR process.
She added that the initiative demonstrates Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to accountable, transparent, and inclusive governance. The exercise’s outcome will form a critical pillar of Lagos State’s contribution to the National Voluntary Review and, by extension, the global SDGs progress review.
At the engagement in Ikosi Local Council Development Area, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SDGs, Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, emphasised that the SDGs would only have true meaning when they translate into tangible improvements in the lives of people at the grassroots.
“While numbers give us an overview of progress, it is the people’s voices that provide depth and understanding of the realities within our communities,” she said.
Mrs. Sarumi noted that the participatory process would allow the government to gather first-hand knowledge from community members on what is working, what challenges persist, and what innovative solutions are emerging.
She commended the leadership of the local councils for embracing the initiative. The PS urged stakeholders across communities to actively engage with the assessment teams, assuring that the insights gathered would directly influence state-level planning, budgeting, and policy formulation.
The qualitative assessment exercise has also been conducted in Ijede LCDA, further underscoring Lagos State’s resolve to ensure that no one is left behind in the implementation of the SDGs.
The exercise was attended by the Council Chairmen and Officials, community development leaders, traditional leaders, market women and men, youths, farmers, people living with disabilities, and other organised community associations.
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