The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations to accelerate the empowerment of women and youth across the country.
This renewed resolve was expressed by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, during a high-level meeting with a delegation from the United Nations led by Felipe Paullier. The delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where discussions centred on deepening cooperation in key areas of national development.
According to the Vice President, the partnership will focus on strategic initiatives aimed at driving financial inclusion, skills development, job creation, as well as enhancing peace and security. These areas, he noted, are critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population and improving the socio-economic status of women.
Senator Shettima emphasised that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the immense value of young people, describing them as a powerful force for transformation rather than a mere demographic statistic.
“Youth are the engine of change and growth. They cannot be treated as just a statistical powerhouse. They are the drivers of innovation and progress in any society,” the Vice President stated.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and other development partners to implement programmes that directly impact the lives of young people and women. According to him, such collaboration is essential to achieving sustainable development goals and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Highlighting the administration’s policy direction, Shettima noted that President Tinubu strongly believes in gender equality and youth empowerment as pillars for national development. He added that ongoing and planned initiatives are designed to convert Nigeria’s anticipated demographic surge into a productive advantage.
“The anticipated demographic bulge will be transformed into demographic dividends,” he said, pointing to the government’s long-term vision of leveraging its youthful population to drive economic expansion and innovation.
The Vice President further stressed that youth development remains a top priority for the administration, noting that no meaningful progress can be achieved without investing in the younger generation.
“On behalf of the President, I reaffirm this administration’s commitment to youth development. The youths are the backbone of every society’s transformation,” he added.
As part of efforts to strengthen this collaboration, Shettima proposed the establishment of institutional mechanisms that would facilitate the effective implementation of youth and women empowerment initiatives. These frameworks, he explained, would ensure sustained engagement between Nigeria, the United Nations, and other relevant stakeholders.
The proposed mechanisms are expected to enhance coordination, improve accountability, and drive measurable outcomes in areas such as employment generation, entrepreneurship development, and access to financial resources.
In his remarks, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and described his visit as a significant step in strengthening ties between Nigeria and the United Nations.
He noted that this was his first official visit to Nigeria and commended the government’s commitment to youth-focused policies and programmes. Paullier also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges affecting young people, including unemployment, inequality, and limited access to opportunities.
The meeting underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in tackling Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. With one of the largest youth populations in the world, Nigeria faces both an opportunity and a responsibility to invest in human capital development.
Experts believe that enhanced collaboration with global organisations like the United Nations can provide the technical expertise, funding support, and policy guidance needed to scale impactful programmes. Such partnerships are also crucial for aligning national initiatives with global development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Beyond policy commitments, stakeholders have consistently called for the effective implementation of programmes that deliver tangible results. This includes expanding access to quality education, vocational training, and digital skills, as well as creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The renewed partnership between Nigeria and the United Nations signals a shared commitment to addressing these challenges and building a more inclusive society where young people and women can thrive.
As discussions continue, the focus will likely shift towards translating these commitments into actionable programmes that can deliver measurable impact. For millions of Nigerian youths and women, the success of this partnership could open doors to new opportunities, improved livelihoods, and a more secure future.