- Green Chemistry Takes Center Stage at Lagos Conference
By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria Renews Commitment to Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development
The Federal Government (FG) and scientists have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals throughout their lifecycle by 2030. This aligns with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan for environmental protection and poverty reduction.
The pledge comes amidst growing concerns about plastic and chemical pollution. At a Green and Sustainable Chemistry conference held in Lagos, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, emphasised the importance of green chemistry and its alignment with the 2030 Agenda’s goals for a sustainable future.
Following the adoption of the SDGs, Nigeria established the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) to coordinate national efforts. This office works with government ministries to integrate SDGs into their plans and policies. Similar structures exist at the state level.
Speaking on the progress towards achieving SDGs in Nigeria, the senior special assistant, represented by the senior technical advisor on SDGs, the Presidency, Dr Bala Yusuf Yunusa, stated that Nigeria’s strategic approach to SDG implementation operates at national and sub-national levels.
“At the National level, OSSAP-SDGs works closely with MDAs to integrate SDGs into their sectoral policies and plans. At the Sub-national level, similar structures have been adopted by the 36 states and the FCT. Between 2016 to 2023, OSSAP-SDGs has successfully institutionalised the SDGs in Nigeria through strategic initiatives and programmes, including realigning the National Statistical System with the SDGs,” Dr. Yunusa explained.
He added that the SDGs have been mainstreamed into the National Development Plan (2021-2025) and Nigeria Agenda 2050, ensuring that annual budgets directly fund the SDGs. “We are supporting 36 States and FCT on SDG-based Development Planning. So far, 18 states are receiving technical and financial support. By 2025, we expect to have supported all 36 states, ensuring their annual budgets fund SDG implementation at the sub-national level,” Dr. Yunusa disclosed.
Orelope-Adefulire acknowledged that dwindling financial resources, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent insecurity have slowed progress towards achieving the SDGs in Nigeria. She called for expertise and resources from the public and private sectors, development partners, academia, and civil society to support the SDGs.
She reiterated the federal government’s commitment to working closely with key stakeholders in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the chairman of ACS Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter, Prof. Joshua Ayoola Obaleye, emphasised the conference’s aim to ensure that all African nations embrace green chemistry. He stressed the need to preserve the continent’s green nature and promote sustainable practices.
Professor Jane Wissinger, professor and organic chemistry laboratory director at the University of Minnesota, USA, advocated for green and sustainable chemistry. She emphasised the need to reduce hazardous substances and highlighted the importance of equipping students and researchers with the skills and mindset to protect the planet and promote a sustainable future.
The conference honoured critical stakeholders, including Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola (vice-chancellor, University of Lagos), and Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako (vice-chancellor, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani), for their contributions to green and sustainable chemistry in Nigeria.