The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s filmmaking industry as a strategic tool for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja at the grand finale of the 2025 SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards, organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs.
Fall emphasised that film remains a powerful medium capable of inspiring social change and mobilising action toward the SDGs. While noting the UN’s continued investment in creative talent and youth voices, he stressed that policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and development partners must deepen their support for film projects that promote sustainable development.
“A film story can change life, change Nigeria, and even the world. With less than five years to 2030, the path to achieving the SDGs is far from straight. Inequality persists, poverty remains, and climate challenges demand urgent action,” Fall said.
He outlined key UN acceleration pathways, including transforming food systems, expanding clean water and energy access, bridging the digital divide, strengthening resilient cities, and protecting biodiversity.
Describing film as a mirror of society and a catalyst for policy influence, he highlighted the rapid growth of the SDGs Short Film Challenge—from 73 entries in 2023 to over 2,265 submissions from 114 locations in 2025—as evidence that young creatives are engaging strongly with national development issues.
Fall added that creativity aligned with purpose can drive real change: “Through film, we can turn ideas into action, dreams into reality, and ensure no one is left behind.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, praised young Nigerian storytellers for shaping national conversations around the 2030 Agenda. She said the competition was designed to provide a platform for compelling narratives that inspire action, noting that storytelling remains vital for influencing policy and mobilising communities.
“As we celebrate the winners, we must also renew our commitment to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable Nigeria,” she stated.
Also speaking, Mrs. Edesiri Anani, Coordinator in the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, commended the organisers for elevating filmmaking as a tool for advocacy and civic engagement. She urged creators to continue using cinema to amplify culture, heritage and social issues.
The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, underscored the economic and developmental potential of storytelling, urging policymakers and the private sector to invest in creative industries as seriously as they invest in infrastructure.
“If we truly want to accelerate the SDGs, we must invest in storytelling. Filmmaking has the power to influence decisions, attract investment, and inspire communities,” she said.
The event celebrated the role of young filmmakers in advancing sustainable development through creative expression and reaffirmed the UN’s support for Nigeria’s growing film industry.
