The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations have formalised a commitment to deepen their collaboration, targeting the accelerated empowerment of women and youth through high-impact socio-economic initiatives.
During a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima outlined the administration’s strategy to transition Nigeria’s growing population into a sustainable economic asset. The partnership is set to focus on financial inclusion, skills acquisition, job creation, and the enhancement of peace and security across the federation.
Youth as the Engine of National Growth
Vice President Shettima emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu views the younger generation not merely as a demographic statistic, but as the primary drivers of national transformation. He noted that the government is intentional about moving beyond rhetoric to provide tangible opportunities for the nation’s youth.
“The youths are the backbone of every society’s transformation,” Vice President Shettima stated. “On behalf of the President, I reaffirm this administration’s commitment to youth development. They are the pillar of the moment upon whom the future of the nation rests.”
From Demographic Bulge to Economic Dividends
A central theme of the discussions was the management of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. The Vice President assured the UN delegation that under the current leadership, the anticipated demographic bulge often viewed as a challenge would be strategically transformed into demographic dividends through deliberate policy interventions.
To ensure these goals are met, Shettima proposed the establishment of institutional mechanisms designed to midwife the advancement of youth and women’s objectives. These frameworks will serve as the bridge between Nigerian policy and international support from the UN and other global partners.
United Nations Pledges Global Support
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General on Youth Affairs, Dr. Felipe Paullier, described Nigeria as a vibrant country and a global player in youth advocacy. Making his first official visit to the country, Dr. Paullier highlighted that the UN’s newly created Office for Youth Affairs is ready to align with Nigeria’s domestic vision.
Dr. Paullier noted that the UN delegation’s presence is intended to bolster the Federal Government’s development agenda, particularly in human rights protection, vocational training, and education. He maintained that placing young people at the center of decision-making is the fastest route to accelerated innovation.
The Path to Sustainable Development
The UN envoy concluded by stressing that true development is impossible without gender equality. He commended the Nigerian government for its current trajectory, noting that access to quality employment and education remains the most critical factor in ensuring long-term stability and prosperity for the West African giant.
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