The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Executive Chairman of Dozzy Group of Companies, Daniel Chukwudozie, and Mr. Ifeanyi Michael Okafor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Strategy Management Department were yesterday honoured at the inaugural Nigeria Tertiary Institution Conference, a landmark event organised by the UN-SDG Youth International.

The conference was attended by Mr. Kim Ju Yong, Secretary General of SDG Youth International Headquarters – Korea; Dr. (Ms) Lee Mi Jung, Division Head-GPDI-Korea; Professor Tahir Mamman, Representative of the Honourable Minister of Education; Dr. Jamila Blo Ibrahim, Hon. Minister of Youth Development; and key figures from the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Mamman received the Award of Excellence for Sustainable Education.

Also, the Plateau State Government was awarded for Most Digitally Innovative State in Nigeria.

Dr. Chukwudozie, Executive Chairman of Dozzy Group of Companies, received the Lifetime Entrepreneurship Award for SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Okafor was awarded the Innovative Visionary Leadership Award of Excellence in Climate-Resilient Development and Sustainable Finance.

The awards ceremony recognised individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to SDGs 4 and 13.

The conference centered on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education) and 13 (Climate Action).

The conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, educators, administrators, and international partners, to address critical issues facing Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

 Discussions focused on curriculum development, research priorities, funding challenges, student welfare, and the integration of sustainable practices.

“This conference provided a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing,” stated Mr. Uzoh Ifeanyi, Nigeria/African Representative of SDG Youth International, in his welcome address.

He expressed gratitude to the various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that partnered in hosting the first edition.

The event aimed to bridge the gap between tertiary education and national development needs, emphasizing the importance of equipping graduates to contribute meaningfully to the economy and society. Key objectives included fostering collaboration among Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges, influencing policy decisions, exchanging research findings, and equipping educators with new skills.