Two are Better Than One but Three is Best: Fast-Tracking the Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Among In-School Adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract Background With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25 years, investing in youth will accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations concept of ‘Development Accelerators’ is operationalized by examining factors associated with multiple SDGs among adolescents in Nigeria. Methodology Through data collected on the health of 1800 adolescents in Southwest Nigeria (Ibadan), ten SDG targets were identified. Accelerator protective factors that could lead to the attainment of two or more SDG targets were identified. Associations were assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic covariates and multiple testing. Cumulative effects were tested by marginal effects modelling. Results Participants’ mean age was 15.02 years (SD = 2.27). Family (parenting support), environmental (no survival work and food security) and school (safe schools) related factors emerged as development accelerators. For seven of the identified SDG-aligned targets, a combination of two or more accelerator factors showed cumulative positive associations, suggesting accelerator synergies with a combination of three accelerators showing the greatest increase. For instance, perceiving the school environment as safe, being food secure and having optimal mental health was associated with an 67% chance of not using psychoactive substances. While with safe school alone it was 39% (29%-51%), with food security alone it was 42% (31%-54%) and with optimal mental health alone it was 54% (42%-66%). Conclusion Several development accelerators related to family, environmental and school factors can have additive effects on the attainment of the SDGs amongst adolescents in Nigeria. This has practical and policy utility in the fastest growing economy in Africa.