Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an era of flux: The Nigerian story

Centuries of conflict, slavery, imperialism, and colonialism have created a world marked by vast wealth disparities, leaving many in poverty and misery. While the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established as policy frameworks to mitigate these injustices, advancements in technology have been hampered by political power dynamics and worsening geopolitical tensions. The concentration of wealth has intensified, and a return to a "might is right" mentality, reminiscent of 19th-century gunboat diplomacy, is evident as old hegemons challenge the international order.

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the fundamental weakness of Western civilisation is empathy

The author draws a stark parallel between the current global flux and Elon Musk's assertion that "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy." He contends that caring for the vulnerable requires empathy, a quality he suggests is being abandoned by some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals who wish to disregard the masses. He warns that capitalists, who benefited from the welfare state saving their system from revolution, now risk alienating the public.

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Population is only a strength if it is well educated, healthy, the economy has the capacity to provide them with employment and h

In this context, the success of the SDGs hinges on the commitment of individual states. Nigeria's story exemplifies the struggle, as the nation ranks 147th out of 167 countries on the SDG index. While there have been some gains in maternal health and gender parity in education, significant hurdles remain in poverty reduction, healthcare, and security. The country has not effectively leveraged its large population and abundant natural resources to advance sustainable development.

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Many among the richest and most powerful want an end to empathy, care and would love to leave the masses behind.

Ultimately, the author calls for a fundamental transformation of the global order, urging states and societies to re-orient themselves towards serving the public good. Reimagining and recreating states that prioritize public policies promoting collective well-being is presented as the most critical agenda. The SDGs, in this view, represent a modest manifesto for this necessary reinvention, requiring the masses to seize the moment and galvanize their nations into remedial action to correct historical and ongoing injustices.

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Trust the bloody capitalists to forget that it was the invention of the welfare State that saved their system from revolution.