I am honored to have attended in dual capacities this year — as a member of the UN-Habitat Stakeholder Advisory Group Enterprise (SAGE) and as a representative of the Nigerian Minister for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.

This was my third consecutive WUF, and it’s been a powerful journey since my first forum (WUF10) in Abu Dhabi in 2020. Starting as a participant, then a speaker at the Parliamentary Roundtable in WUF11, and now serving in advisory and representative roles, each WUF has been a unique chapter in my commitment to sustainable development.

In representing the Honourable Minister Ayodele Olawande, I engaged with global leaders and stakeholders, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable urban development. My contributions underscored the Ministry’s progressive initiatives, such as the CNG-powered tricycle project and the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), which underscore Nigeria’s focus on sustainability, youth engagement, and innovation. By sharing Nigeria’s unique approaches and achievements, I emphasized our role as an emerging leader in addressing urban challenges through youth-driven solutions. Our discussions fostered valuable international interest in these programs and opened doors for further collaboration, positioning Nigeria as a proactive participant in global dialogues on sustainable urban futures.

A special thank you to Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, immediate past Executive Director of UN-Habitat, for appointing me to SAGE — it’s been an incredible experience collaborating with remarkable colleagues and our dedicated Co-chairs, Siraj Sait and Dyan Currie, as well as Ms. Lucia Kiwala Chief, Partnerships and Local Governments Section and External Realtions UN-Habitat.  

This year’s return to Africa was momentous! For the first time in over 20 years since Nairobi in 2002, WUF was hosted on African soil. The energy was palpable with over 24,000 participants from 182 countries, including four heads of state, over 50 ministers, and a groundbreaking 92% in-person attendance. The theme, “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” encouraged all of us to think beyond just physical structures, diving into the social, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of urban life.

Deep gratitude to UN-Habitat’s Executive Director, Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, for her dynamic leadership and engagement with stakeholders throughout the event. WUF12 has set a high benchmark, and I look forward to the insights, collaborations, and innovations that will continue at WUF13 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Building sustainable cities and communities isn’t just the responsibility of global leaders. It’s a collective effort that starts with each of us, at home and in our daily lives.

Let’s keep working toward a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

#WUF12 #UNHabitat #SustainableDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #UrbanTransformation #LocalActions