United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called on private sector organizations to increase their investment in social development to help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking virtually at the MTN Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration, Mohammed emphasized that the resources needed to accomplish the UN’s 2030 SDG targets far exceed government budgets alone, estimating that Nigeria alone requires $10bn annually to reach its goals.
Mohammed commended MTN Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, highlighting its impact in areas such as education, healthcare, digital literacy, and youth empowerment.
She praised the Foundation’s role in building resilience in Nigerian communities, providing scholarships, supporting maternal and child health, and equipping young people with future-oriented skills. “MTN Foundation embodies the transformative power of public-private partnerships,” she said.
Reaffirming the UN’s support for MTN Foundation’s mission, Mohammed emphasized the potential of public-private collaborations in addressing systemic development challenges.
“The United Nations stands ready to accompany MTN Foundation and other private sector partners on this collective journey,” she noted, underscoring the importance of joint action in accelerating SDG progress and fostering innovation,” she said.
Also in his remarks, Ag. Chairman, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro highlighted the noteworthy areas of impact of the MTN Foundation and the vision which birthed its establishment 20 years ago.
“Today, we celebrate decades of MTN Foundation’s remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development through empowering communities, driving social impact, and improving access to education, healthcare, skills, funding and community infrastructure, the Foundation has played a vital role in bringing to life and ensuring vision of enhancing the quality of life across Nigeria,” he said.
Okoro noted that since its inception in 2004, the MTN Foundation has invested over N30bn in over 50 projects and initiatives, impacting up to 31.3 million Nigerians in 3,323 communities across the country.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Unlocking Private Capital for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, Okoro noted that the conference was not just a celebratory event, but also a call to action for private sector operators to invest their resources in driving social impact and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
“We are driven by the belief that by harnessing the collective potential of the private sector, we can contribute significantly to national development goals and improve the quality of life of all Nigerians,” he said.
