For the first time in Nigeria’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) process, YouthHubAfrica, in partnership with NGYouthSDGs, led the country’s first-ever youth-driven shadow report. This initiative provided a critical and complementary lens on Nigeria’s progress, particularly around Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

The shadow report was the result of a comprehensive, youth-led process that engaged over 600 young people across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Through consultations, community dialogues, policy reviews, and youth-led data collection, the report captured lived experiences and highlighted pressing youth priorities across selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, and 17.

By presenting this evidence-informed and intersectional report, Nigerian youth successfully positioned themselves as key contributors to the national development agenda. The shadow report not only amplified youth voices but also provided concrete recommendations to ensure that Nigeria’s progress on the SDGs reflects the realities and aspirations of its young population.