Lagos students lead the charge for sustainability at youth-led SDG conference

Lagos students lead the charge for sustainability at youth-led SDG conference | Photo: Opeyemi Adisa

In an era where climate change, poverty, and inequality demand urgent action, the youth of Lagos, Nigeria, are stepping up as catalysts for change. On 8 July 2025, over 500 students from 32 international schools gathered at the Government Secretariat in Alausa for the inaugural Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) Student-Led SDG Conference. Themed “Lend Your Voice,” this youth-driven initiative championed the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on quality education (SDG 4), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

This event underscores the critical role of young people in advancing global sustainability and highlights why empowering the next generation is essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda. By fostering leadership and innovation, such initiatives address pressing global challenges while inspiring broader societal change.

The power of youth in advancing SDGs

The AISEN conference is a testament to the growing influence of youth in tackling global challenges. Nigeria, with a population where over 60% are under 25, faces significant hurdles, including a 33% youth unemployment rate and increasing climate vulnerabilities, such as flooding in Lagos, which displaced over 6,000 people in 2024. The SDGs provide a framework to address these issues, but progress remains uneven.

According to the United Nations’ 2023 SDG Progress Report, only 15% of the 169 SDG targets are on track globally, with climate action and quality education lagging significantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria’s 2020 Voluntary National Review highlighted slow progress on SDG 4, with 10.5 million children out of school, and SDG 13, where emissions reduction efforts remain nascent.

The Lagos conference addressed these gaps by empowering students to engage directly with the SDGs. Organised entirely by young leaders, the event featured workshops, panel discussions, and actionable projects aimed at fostering environmental sustainability and social equity. AISEN’s Executive Chairperson, Adeola Arofin, described the conference as a “call to action,” urging students to innovate beyond the classroom. This aligns with global trends: a 2022 UNICEF report noted that 70% of youth-led initiatives in Africa focus on education and climate, reflecting a generational shift towards activism.

Lagos, students in action

The AISEN conference is not an isolated effort but part of a broader movement of youth-led sustainability initiatives in Nigeria. For instance, the Nigeria Youth SDGs Network (NGYouthSDGs), launched in 2017, has engaged over 5,000 young people directly and 50,000 indirectly across Nigeria’s 36 states. Their 2020 Decent Work Survey, which gathered responses from 100,000 youths, informed the Nigeria Youth Employment Action Plan, projected to support 3.5 million young people annually by 2030. Similarly, the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance, initiated in 2021 by the Lagos State Government, has mobilised thousands to advocate for climate action and inclusive education, creating platforms for youth to influence policy.

At the AISEN conference, students proposed practical solutions, such as community-led recycling programmes and peer-to-peer education campaigns to promote SDG 4. One notable project involved students from Lagos designing a low-cost solar-powered learning hub to address electricity access, which affects 46% of Nigerian households. These initiatives echo past successes, like the 2018 Vision of the Child (VoTC) project, where 17 Lagos schoolgirls created artworks to raise awareness about drug abuse and SDGs, supported by the German Consulate and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Looking forward, the Lagos State Government plans to scale such efforts through the Lagos Future Conference 2025, which will focus on youth, technology, and sustainability to drive economic growth.

The obligation to promote sustainable development

Achieving the SDGs requires more than local action; it demands robust global collaboration. The AISEN conference received endorsements from international partners, including the United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, which highlights the importance of cross-border knowledge sharing. Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on SDGs, emphasised that partnerships are key to scaling youth-led initiatives. Globally, organisations like the African Youth SDGs Summit, held annually since 2017, bring together youth, governments, and NGOs to align efforts. In 2023, the summit in Lusaka, Zambia, connected 2,000 participants from 54 African countries, fostering solutions for climate action and education.

The United Nations’ 2020 report on SDG 17 stresses that partnerships must bridge financial and technical gaps. For Nigeria, this means leveraging international support to fund education infrastructure and renewable energy projects. The Global Partnership for Education, for instance, has invested $100 million in Nigeria since 2015 to improve access to quality education, yet challenges persist due to limited coordination. The AISEN conference’s success lies in its ability to foster local-global synergy, encouraging students to collaborate with international stakeholders while addressing community-specific issues.

The AISEN Student-Led SDG Conference in Lagos is a powerful reminder that the SDGs are not abstract goals but actionable commitments that thrive on youth engagement. By empowering students to lead on climate action, quality education, and partnerships, Nigeria is nurturing a generation equipped to tackle global challenges. However, sustaining this momentum requires investment in education, access to resources, and stronger policy frameworks. As the 2030 deadline approaches, the global community must amplify such grassroots efforts, ensuring that young voices shape a sustainable future.

More information: https://aisen.education/