Tell us about yourself and your work

I am from Nigeria; I live and work in Nigeria. I support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation through advocacy. I was one of four women founders of the Ebaideheki Initiative to drive conversations around SDG implementation. 

As you know, we have blueprints such as the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and, more recently, the Pact for the Future. It’s clear that we cannot achieve SDG targets without creating awareness. 

We’ve been working with other young advocates to amplify this identify challenges and propose solutions.

What are you doing here at the CSW69?

This is a landmark year; we need to evaluate what we have accomplished, how much progress has been made, and the way forward.

In 1995, the Beijing Declaration was adopted, emphasising women’s empowerment and gender equality. We have this Declaration, and we must be accountable. Between 1995 and today, 30 years have passed.

I have participated in several such sessions, and my key question is: What do we do next? Over the past three decades, Africa has made some progress, but it has been slow.

We've had just a few female heads of state—presidents and prime ministers— in Africa within this period. By now, we should have had more. Women should be occupying more leadership positions, including in parliament.

What impact have your initiatives made?

In the six years since we started our work, many young people, including graduates who were with us, have moved on to continue their advocacy. This shows that we are making an impact—creating awareness and inspiring people to keep pushing forward.

Through our radio programme, for example, we have reached over one million people. We have visited rural areas, encouraging citizens to take action and hold their elected representatives accountable for SDG implementation. The impact has been incredible.

We also organise town hall meetings with young people to discuss the SDGs and the way forward. So, the change is real.

Can you speak on the importance of educating the youth about SDGs?

Absolutely! Education is at the heart of sustainability. To succeed in implementing change, we must prioritise education. But education is not just about the classroom—it also means creating awareness and sensitisation.

It’s about reaching the woman who cannot speak English, the man who doesn’t understand why his daughter should go to school, or the local market trader who doesn’t see why she should stop using plastic bags and switch to sustainable alternatives. 

It includes engaging university students who may not even be aware of climate change or their role in tackling it.

What role can women play in it?

Women must be at the forefront of SDGs implementation. Imagine if millions of African women were educated in the SDG space—raising awareness, going into rural areas, and communicating with grassroots communities. That would be a game changer.

A large proportion of African women lack formal education, but they can be trained and empowered to drive significant in, for instance, climate action. That’s why we collaborate with women-led initiatives and women groups to build advocacy platforms that bring more women into the conversation.

The process of integrating women into the SDG space starts with education. Once they understand the issues, it becomes easier to bring them on board.

What are the consequences of climate change on women and girls?

Climate change disproportionately affects women. In Africa, women are often responsible for managing the home—they farm, cook, sew, and much more. This makes them highly vulnerable to environmental disruptions.

For example, most farmers in Africa are women. Yet, their crops are frequently damaged by droughts or floods. Africa is the lowest emitter of CO₂ but suffers the most from climate change.

Women need access to funding, education, and equipment to cope with these challenges. Without support, they will continue to bear the brunt of climate change’s harshest impacts.