CISLAC Unveils SDG 16 Shadow Report, Says Nigeria’s Progress Depends on Bold Reforms

CISLAC Unveils SDG 16 Shadow Report, Says Nigeria’s Progress Depends on Bold Reforms

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has launched its 7th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 Shadow Report, shedding light on Nigeria’s ongoing social, economic, and governance challenges.

The report was unveiled on the sideline of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, emphasizing the need for bold reforms to overcome these obstacles.

The 2024 SDG 16 Shadow Report critically assesses Nigeria’s progress towards promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, focusing on key targets including organized crime, corruption, and public access to information (Targets 16.4, 16.5, and 16.10).

The Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who presented the report, acknowledged that while the country faces significant difficulties, the path to achieving the SDGs by 2030 remains possible with the right interventions.

“The challenges confronting our nation are immense but not insurmountable. With bold reforms, increased transparency, and a renewed commitment to building strong, accountable institutions, Nigeria can still achieve the SDGs,” Rafsanjani stated during the launch.

The report draws attention to the growing threat of insecurity, noting that in 2023 alone, 4,437 people were kidnapped in 227 mass abductions, reflecting a disturbing rise in organized crime despite an expanded defense and security budget.

CISLAC called for stronger anti-corruption mechanisms within the security sector, emphasizing the need for transparency in operations and expenditures to restore public trust. “Corruption within security agencies continues to undermine the fight against crime, leading many Nigerians to lose faith in the government’s ability to protect them,” said Rafsanjani.

The report also called for enhanced interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing, recommending the establishment of a centralized crime database and the promotion of joint task forces to more effectively combat organized crime. CISLAC further advocated for community-based policing strategies to tackle the root causes of crime, including poverty and unemployment.

Addressing human rights violations, the report highlighted the suppression of free speech during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024. According to the report, 21 protesters were killed, over 1,000 were arrested, and journalists faced harassment or detention. CISLAC criticized the government’s actions, stating that such incidents contradict the core values of SDG 16, which emphasizes the protection of fundamental freedoms and public access to information. “These incidents should serve as a wake-up call: we cannot build strong institutions while simultaneously suppressing the very voices calling for accountability,” Rafsanjani warned.

Rafsanjani described Nigeria’s current economic situation as unprecedented, noting that inflation reached a 28-year high in June 2024, exacerbating hardships across the country. He also highlighted the negative impact of the removal of fuel subsidies, which has worsened the cost-of-living crisis and pushed millions into poverty. “The government has called for patience during these reforms, but the reality is that the burden of austerity measures disproportionately impacts ordinary Nigerians,” Rafsanjani said.

He also criticized what he termed as “misuse of public resources,” citing the 150 billion Naira spent on a presidential jet and the commissioning of a 21 billion Naira residence for the Vice President as contradictory to the message of austerity the government has asked citizens to endure. “These actions fuel public distrust in leadership and foster a perception of impunity among the political class,” Rafsanjani added.

The report calls for fiscal transparency through the publication of timely In-Year Reports and Mid-Year Reviews. CISLAC also recommended the establishment of a dedicated oversight body to monitor budgetary processes and prevent fiscal mismanagement. The organization stressed that without significant reforms, Nigeria’s aspirations of achieving the SDGs by 2030 will remain unattainable.

CISLAC concluded that while Nigeria faces significant hurdles, international cooperation, transparency, and institutional reform are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving sustainable development.

By PRNigeria