The Lagos State Government has called for stronger collaboration between legal professionals and policymakers to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and translate global commitments into effective laws, policies and measurable development outcomes.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Lagos State Government, Mrs Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, made the call at a stakeholders’ forum for policymakers and members of the legal community held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking on the theme, “Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Foundation, Principles and Role of the Legal Profession and Policymakers,” Sarumi said the SDGs should be viewed not merely as global aspirations but as a practical framework for translating development priorities into laws, policies, programmes and measurable results.
She noted that the Goals had been incorporated into Lagos State’s development framework through the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, planning and budgeting processes, sectoral policies and government programmes.
Sarumi also emphasised the interconnectedness of the SDGs, noting that progress in one area could significantly influence outcomes in others. She cited education, employment, poverty reduction, gender equality, economic participation and strong institutions as areas that are closely linked.
The Permanent Secretary urged members of the legal profession to play a more active role in sustainable development through legislation, policy development, regulatory reforms and improved access to justice, particularly for vulnerable and underserved groups.
She also tasked policymakers with ensuring that government commitments translate into tangible outcomes, stressing the need for evidence-based, inclusive, adequately funded, legally sound and measurable policies.
According to her, policy formulation should go beyond announcing initiatives to include continuous monitoring and evaluation to determine whether such interventions are achieving their intended objectives.
With the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaching, Sarumi called for greater urgency and a stronger focus on results, urging stakeholders to explore how the Goals could improve lawmaking, policy formulation, public resource allocation and service delivery.
She said, “The SDGs provide the global framework, our laws provide the foundation, our policies provide the direction, our institutions provide the mechanism, and our collective action will determine the results.”
The forum brought together members of the legal profession, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine practical ways of strengthening the role of law and public policy in advancing SDG implementation across Lagos State.
The engagement reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, the legal community and other stakeholders in translating development commitments into practical actions and measurable improvements in the lives of Lagos residents.
