The Sustainable Development Goals Nigeria/Africa Region (Rivers State Chapter) in collaboration with Kengema Youth Entrepreneurs and Innovators Hub (KYEIH), TAGDEV 2.0 Program, University of Port Harcourt, with support from RUFORUM and in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, hosted the First Niger Delta Youth Summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the theme ‘Empowering Youth for Inclusive Sustainable Development’.
Held on 13th March 2026 at the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES), University of Port Harcourt, the summit brought together different stakeholders involved in youth development in Nigeria.
The youth summit lecture was delivered by the Program Coordinator of TAGDev 2.0 Program University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), Prof. Ibisime Etela, who encouraged youths to be open to mentorship and embrace volunteerism in order to drive positive change.
During the event, the University of Port Harcourt Climate change club gave a presentation, updating participants on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,
Ahead of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030, Uzoh Ifeanyi (Nigeria/Africa Representative, SDG Youth) announced the collaboration of Sustainable Development Goals Nigeria/Africa Region (Rivers State Chapter) with TAGDev 2.0 Uniport to fund 100 women led businesses by building their websites and hosting/managing it for 1 year. Also, he went further to announce the provision of 50 slots to train Differently Abled Persons (DAP) on solar panel technology.
The SDG youth summit also featured Panel discussion session with key stakeholders in youth development to identify weaknesses and opportunities for SDGs in the Niger Delta region. The panel discussion session x-rayed development of Niger Delta around the SDGs, thinking solutions for the youths, women, Differently Abled Persons, and domestication of the SDGs in Nigeria higher education institutions and rural communities.
Uzoh Ifeanyi (Nigeria/Africa Representative, SDG Youth) decorated the Program Coordinator of TAGDev 2.0 Uniport (Prof. Ibisime Etela) as the Grand Patron of SDGs Youth Nigeria/Africa Region (Rivers State Chapter). This decoration is a testament to Prof. Etela’s doggedness in championing youth development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
The Nigeria/Africa Representative, SDG Youth also went further to inaugurate the State Coordinators for SDGs Nigeria/Africa in the Niger Delta region to enable them officially carryout SDGs youth development activities in their various States.
The Rivers State Coordinator of SDG Youth Nigeria/Africa (Ambassador Ipalibo Madodoye) affirmed his commitment to collaborate with TAGDev 2.0 UniPort to promote SDGs 2 and 4, in other to meaningfully transform agriculture and promote quality education in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
The youth summit also featured award presentations to recognize individuals who are championing youth development in the Niger Delta. The award recepients included the Digital Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt (Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill), Senator (Dr.) Ipalibo Gogo Harry-Banigo, Prof. Ibisime Etela, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Hon. Hart Cyril Godwin, Hon. Michael John Williams (DSSRS, FCAI), Hon. Pastor Esimogu Kelechi Benwosely, and Barr. Amuda Chigozie,
Indeed, TAGDev 2.0 UniPort is meaningfully empowering youth for inclusive sustainable development in Nigeria.
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