Edo SDGs Office and NAUS Forge Strategic Partnership
The Edo State Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to deepen its
engagement with youth leaders committed to driving impactful change. In a vibrant exchange of
ideas and shared purpose, the Office of Sustainable Development Goals in Edo State recently
welcomed representatives from the National Association of University Students (NAUS), Edo
State, as part of its continued stakeholder dialogue.
During the meeting with the Director General and his team, NAUS introduced its newly elected
leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to improving student welfare and aligning youth-led
initiatives with the global SDG agenda. Recognized as the leading student decision-making
body in Edo State, NAUS has already partnered with national institutions such as the EFCC,
NOA, and Human Rights Commission.
Key areas of collaboration explored included:
● Gender Equality: Launching a Girl Child Initiative to mark the International Day of the
Girl Child, focusing on empowerment, education, and health for young girls across state
universities.
● Quality Education & Good Health: Strengthening sexual health awareness, mental
wellness programs, and advocating for inclusive policies.
● Campus-Based SDGs Awareness: Rolling out awareness drives, innovation summits,
and student-centered events across institutions like UNIBEN, AAU, and Auchi
Polytechnic.
The Director General of SDGs in person of Hon. Julius Ogieva-Okunbor commended NAUS for
their proactive engagement and emphasized the importance of practical, results-driven action in
education reform. He shared insights into the challenges facing Edo’s education system,
particularly budget inefficiencies, poor learning environments, and dropout rates among
underprivileged children. Drawing comparisons with education systems in countries like the UK,
he emphasized the need for a metrics-based, performance-driven culture in Nigerian schools.
Importantly, both parties discussed youth empowerment as a key lever for transformation.
NAUS proposed internship opportunities at the SDGs Office and outlined upcoming programs to
boost student participation in development discourse. The DG welcomed these initiatives,
stressing the importance of innovation and the urgent need to shift mindsets among youth
toward purpose, creativity, and civic responsibility.
On sustainability, the DG acknowledged the funding constraints facing the SDGs Office but
emphasized that meaningful change begins with shared will and grassroots collaboration, not
just financial resources.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitment from both NAUS and the SDGs Office to
work hand-in-hand in translating ideas into action. With strong youth voices and a clear focus on
the goals, the partnership signals a bold step forward in building a more inclusive and
sustainable Edo State.
