Service to humanity is a noble calling, and Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has personified this commitment throughout her remarkable 64-year journey.
As we honour her on this milestone birthday, her life serves as a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on their nation and the world.
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire’s tenure in public service is distinguished by her unwavering dedication, innovative leadership, and profound commitment.
Her contributions to Nigeria’s pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have left an indelible mark, resulting in recognition both at home and abroad.
In 2023, the United Nations honoured her with the prestigious SDGs Champions award, acknowledging her groundbreaking achievements as the head of Nigeria’s SDGs implementing office.
This international recognition underscores her significant role in advancing the global sustainable development agenda.
As the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire’s leadership has been transformative.
She played a pivotal role in positioning Nigeria as a global leader in sustainable development.
One notable achievement was championing Nigeria’s country-led evaluations of specific SDGs, including health and education.
Nigeria’s status as the top Global South nation conducting independent SDG policy evaluations reflects her commitment to evidence-based decision-making.
Furthermore, her leadership led to the launch of the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), a crucial step in securing sustainable funding for the country’s SDG-related projects.
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire’s influence extends beyond Nigeria’s borders.
She spearheaded Nigeria’s sponsorship of a United Nations resolution aimed at strengthening Voluntary National Reviews through Country-led Evaluation.
This initiative received widespread support, highlighting Nigeria’s role in promoting robust evaluation mechanisms for monitoring SDG progress worldwide.
Her strategic vision, collaborative partnerships, and innovative initiatives have positioned Nigeria as a trailblazer in SDGs implementation.
Her ability to foster cooperation among stakeholders has been instrumental in driving sustainable development initiatives.
Upon assuming office, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire ensured the establishment of essential institutional frameworks for effective SDG implementation.
These include the Presidential Council for the SDGs, the Private Sector Advisory Group, the Donors Partnership Forum, and the Civil Society Strategy Group.
These partnerships have played a crucial role in advancing the SDGs agenda in Nigeria.
Under her leadership, substantial investments and key intervention projects were initiated to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
These initiatives reached across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Notable achievements include the construction and furnishing of over 9,000 classrooms, 66 Skill Acquisition Centres, and the supply of specialized hospital beds to various healthcare facilities.
The commitment to building healthcare infrastructure, including Mother and Child Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres, reflects her dedication to leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
For her exceptional service in public office, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has received numerous awards and recognitions, both domestically and internationally.
These accolades reflect her unwavering dedication to empowering women, youth, children, and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations.
