The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the United Nations (UN) in order to boost the empowerment of women and youth throughout the country to enhance national development.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima shared this news on Thursday during a visit from a UN delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The delegation was led by Dr. Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.
While speaking to the delegation, Vice President Shettima highlighted key areas of focus for this partnership, including Financial Inclusion, Skills Development, Job Creation, and Peace and Security.
Senator Shettima pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration understands the significant potential of Nigeria’s youth. He described them as essential drivers of change and progress instead of just being seen as numbers.
“They are the foundation upon which our nation’s future relies,” said the Vice President, adding that the government is committed to turning Nigeria’s large youth population into beneficial opportunities.
To achieve these objectives, the Vice President suggested setting up strong institutional systems. These systems are meant to help Nigeria reach its goals for youth and women by closely collaborating with the UN and other international partners.
He emphasized that the Tinubu administration is committed to gender equality, pointing out that improving youth development goes hand in hand with ensuring everyone has equal access to education and jobs.
In response, Dr. Felipe Paullier shared his excitement about meeting the Vice President during his first official visit to Nigeria. He described Nigeria as a lively country, with its young population at the center of this vibrancy.
Dr. Paullier pointed out the UN’s worldwide dedication to youth, mentioning the 2022 General Assembly decision to establish a special office for youth affairs. This office focuses on providing global support in areas like protecting human rights, vocational training, and developing technical skills.
The Assistant Secretary-General stated that his visit was important because of Nigeria’s role as a leader in youth advocacy around the world. He confirmed that the UN youth delegation is currently in Nigeria to assist the Federal Government’s development goals through support from various agencies.
Nigeria is moving towards development,” Dr. Paullier said.
He also emphasized that if the Nigerian leaders keep involving young people in important decisions, the country will experience faster innovation and overall growth.
