Africa’s Development Crossroads: ESUT Hosts Crucial Summit on Realizing the SDGs by 2030
As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) looms ever closer, the African continent stands at a pivotal juncture. Harnessing its immense potential while confronting persistent challenges demands urgent, collaborative, and innovative action. Against this critical backdrop, the Faculty of Management Sciences at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Professor Uche Ugwuanyi, proudly announces its 2nd International Conference, scheduled for June 26-27, 2025. The resounding theme, “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa,” positions this gathering of the best intellectual minds as a vital platform for shaping the continent’s developmental trajectory in the crucial years ahead.
The 17 SDGs represent a universal blueprint, a clarion call to eradicate poverty, safeguard our planet’s fragile ecosystems, and forge pathways to enduring peace and shared prosperity for every citizen. For Africa, a continent endowed with unparalleled human dynamism, youthful demographics, and vast natural resources, achieving these goals isn’t merely aspirational – it’s fundamental to its future stability, growth, and global standing and relevance. Yet, the path is strewn with formidable obstacles: corruption, entrenched poverty and stark inequality, the escalating existential threat of climate change, gaps in critical infrastructure, and the pressing need for inclusive governance and economic transformation.
ESUT’s 2nd International Conference emerges as a timely and essential crucible for ideas and action. It is meticulously designed to convene a powerful confluence of minds – leading academics, groundbreaking researchers, decisive policymakers, and forward-thinking industry experts – all united by a common purpose: accelerating Africa’s SDG progress.
The second ESUT’S FMS International conference transcends the typical academic forum. It is conceived and engineered to act as a springboard for concrete achievable outcomes.
1. Strategizing for Success. The conference will move beyond diagnosis and foster deep dives into actionable, context-specific strategies tailored to Africa’s unique socioeconomic and environmental landscapes. It will look at how nations can leapfrog development hurdles. What policy innovations are required?
2. Knowledge Exchange & Best Practices. Participants will share cutting-edge research findings, successful case studies, and replicable models from across the continent and beyond. Learning from both triumphs and setbacks will be paramount.
3. Forging Synergies. A core objective of this conference is to catalyze meaningful partnerships and collaborations. Bridging the gap between academia, government, civil society, and the private sector is essential for mobilizing resources and scaling solutions.
4. Solution Incubation. The collaborative environment of this conference aims to spark innovative, evidence-based solutions to Africa’s most pressing sustainable development challenges, translating theory into practical applications.
Why Participate in this Conference?
Engagement in this pivotal event offers multifaceted benefits:
(a) Unparalleled Networking: Connect directly with a distinguished global network of SDG champions – researchers shaping the discourse, policymakers driving change, and industry leaders implementing solutions. Forge relationships that extend far beyond the conference halls.
(b) Cutting-Edge Insights. Participants would gain access to the latest research frontiers, emerging trends, and proven best practices across all dimensions of sustainable development – from climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy to inclusive finance and equitable smart green education models.
(c) Catalyst for Collaboration. The conference enables participants to discover potential partners for groundbreaking research initiatives, impactful development projects, or policy advocacy campaigns.
(d) Enhanced Capacity Participation in sessions would deepenunderstanding and refine skills in critical areas such as sustainable project management, impact assessment, SDG reporting, and leveraging technology for development.
e) Academic Contribution & Recognition: Presentation of original research and contribution to the global knowledge base. Selected high-quality papers will be published in the ESUT Journal of Management Sciences, a reputable, peer-reviewed journal.
The Conference as a platform for planting the Seeds for Africa’s Sustainable Future
One of the core objectives of the 2nd ESUT International Conference is to yield tangible results that resonate and reverberates across the entire continent and beyond. In this regard, it will serve amongst others as
1. A Robust Knowledge Repository. A significant collection of rigorously researched papers, insightful presentations, and informative posters, collectively enriching the understanding of pathways to achieving the SDGs in the African context.
2. Actionable Policy Blueprints: Synthesizing the collective wisdom, the conference will generate concrete, evidence-based policy recommendations aimed squarely at governments, regional bodies, and international institutions, providing clear guidance for accelerating SDG implementation.
3. Enduring Partnerships: The facilitation of new, robust collaborations between diverse stakeholders – universities, research institutes, government agencies, NGOs, and businesses – creating a fertile ground for future innovation and large-scale development initiatives.
The conference committee enthusiastically invites the submission of original, high-quality research papers, insightful case studies documenting real-world applications, and impactful posters. Submissions should align with the SDG framework and address critical themes such as:
Eradicating Poverty & Bridging Inequality Gaps
Climate Action, Adaptation & Environmental Stewardship
* Transforming Education & Building Human Capital for the 21st Century
* Advancing Healthcare Access & Ensuring Well-being for All
* Accelerating Sustainable Infrastructure & Industrialization
* Fostering Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Inclusive Economic Growth
Be a part of history: Registration is still Open
Participation in this landmark event is accessible. Registration is currently open online via the conference website. A modest conference fee ensures comprehensive access to all scientific sessions, keynote addresses, conference materials, refreshments, and meals throughout the event.
A Defining Moment
“The clock is ticking towards 2030,” states Professor Uche Ugwuanyi, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Agbani, Enugu State. “This conference is not just an academic exercise; it’s a strategic convergence. Africa possesses the ingenuity and the resources. What we need now, more than ever before, is coordinated, evidence-driven action and unwavering commitment. ESUT is proud to provide this vital platform to catalyze the collaborations and solutions that will determine our continent’s sustainable future.”
ESUT’s 2nd International Conference on “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa” is poised to be more than just a meeting – it aims to be a catalyst. As stakeholders from across the globe gather in Enugu next week, the focus will be sharp: translating the ambitious vision of the SDGs into tangible, transformative reality for Africa and its people. The continent’s sustainable future demands nothing less.
Maxwell Menkiti Ngene
Chairman, Committee on Publicity & Media Relations
ESUT Faculty of Management Sciences
2nd International Conference on Achieving the SDGs in Africa
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He was the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state who handed over to the Caretaker Committee currently in the Council.
samowailo@gmail.com
