2027: CSOs Challenge Candidates To Adopt 8 Key SDGs

Civil society organisations operating under the umbrella of Civil Society Organisations On Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) have challenged candidates for the 2027 general elections to align their manifestos with eight priority Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of efforts to set the agenda for issue-based campaigns and governance.

In a statement by the Director General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff,said manifestos are not mere campaign documents but, upon election, become government policy programmes, projects and budget lines that determine whether Nigerians receive the true dividends of democracy.

“We therefore demand manifestos rooted in measurable, people-centered development, not empty rhetoric,” the group said.

Following what it described as extensive consultations and review of Nigeria’s sub-national development gaps, the coalition identified eight SDGs as “non-negotiable” for serious candidates, particularly those contesting governorship positions.

The priorities are Quality Education (SDG 4), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

The coalition outlined expected commitments under each of the goals, including free basic education, teacher training, and vocational centres; functional primary healthcare centres and health insurance; SME funding and entrepreneurship hubs; mechanised farming and food reserves; rural water schemes and sanitation; infrastructure development and broadband expansion; justice system reforms and community policing support; as well as climate resilience and clean energy policies.

According to the group, these eight SDGs directly impact the daily lives of citizens, fall within state-level constitutional mandates, and are capable of driving internally generated revenue while delivering visible results within a four-year term.

It added that successful implementation of the goals would also accelerate progress in other areas, including poverty reduction, gender equality, reduced inequalities and sustainable cities.

As part of its demands, the coalition said all candidates must publicly adopt the eight SDGs and present specific, costed and time-bound plans for each in their manifestos.

It also announced plans to host a Governorship SDG Manifesto Debate Series across the six geopolitical zones from May 2026, where candidates will defend their implementation strategies before citizens and the media.

The group further disclosed that it would track, score and publish quarterly compliance reports on SDGs implementation by elected governments after the elections.

The coalition noted that the Civil Society Organisations State Debates form part of the official programme of the National Council of Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026.

They said the summit is aimed at unifying and empowering accredited CSOs, community-based organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as strategic partners in Nigeria’s development, institutionalising citizen-led accountability, and ensuring governance delivers measurable democratic dividends in alignment with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The coalition also outlined its core mandates to include governance agenda setting through SDG alignment, coordination and supervision of accredited organisations, issue-based engagement through state debates, implementation monitoring using a national scorecard, fostering strategic partnerships for development, and deepening democracy through civic education and voter awareness.

said the initiative is guided by the principle of “Nigeria First,” with a focus on national interest, sustainable development and the welfare of citizens.

“This is a national assignment. Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of governance without direction. The era of manifestos without accountability is over,” the statement added.