The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), says gender equality is critical to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, the group's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) stated this on Wednesday at a press conference on the maiden edition of the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-22) in Abuja.

Jaiyeola, said that Nigeria was behind in achieving the SDGs with a performance score of 46.4 and the lowest in the global gender index.

He, therefore, stressed the need for joint efforts towards abating gender inequality and inclusion -related losses to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

He, explained that the group was organizing a summit to explore transformative ways to achieve gender inclusion and accelerate the actualization of the SDGs.

"This seminar seeks to look at it from the multi sectoral approaches, in the light of the fact that we need to work together with the high level forum on the Sustainable Development Goal.

"It has partnered with a policy innovation centre to ensure a seamless delivery of the first national level gender and Inclusion summit.

"The high level forum on the SDGs is a Programme currently being run by the NESG with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, towards the actualization of the SDGs by the year 2030.

"Including the attainment of gender equality, which is part of the SDG goals, the gender and inclusion summit will hold on Nov. 16, in Abuja.

"This is to explore transformative ways to achieve greater gender inclusion, and of course to accelerate the development of the SDGs," he said.

Also, Dr. Osasiyi Dirisu, Deputy Director on Policy Innovation Centre, NESG, said the summit will enable the centre explore transformative ways to achieve gender equality, inclusion and gender responsive governance in Nigeria.

"So, the goal of this summit is to provide a platform for us to explore transformative ways to improve inclusion, equity, and foster gender responsive governance in the country," she said.

She revealed that the summit's theme, " Connecting the dots for a gender inclusive society," aim at breaking down the "siloed" approach to viewing gender and helping stakeholders understand that everyone can contribute to fostering a gender inclusive society.

" We are going to be talking about women, economic empowerment, poverty and financial inclusion, gender and social policy, gender and access to employment, gender dynamics and policies.