Nigeria and UN Forge Stronger Alliance to Empower Women and Youth
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the empowerment of women and youths across the country. Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that this renewed partnership will concentrate on priority areas including financial inclusion, skills development, job creation, peace, and security.
Vice President Shettima's Remarks at Presidential Villa Meeting
Shettima spoke on Thursday while receiving a UN delegation led by Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu recognizes the immense potential of young people as drivers of national growth, stressing that they must not be treated merely as a "statistical powerhouse."
Reaffirming the Federal Government's commitment to closer collaboration with the UN, the Vice President described youths and women as "the pillars of the present upon whom the future of the nation rests." He added that the Tinubu administration is firmly committed to gender equality and youth empowerment, with a strategic focus on converting Nigeria's growing youth population into a demographic dividend.
"On behalf of the President, I reaffirm this administration's commitment to youth development. The youths remain the backbone of every society's transformation," Shettima said. He also proposed the establishment of institutional frameworks to drive Nigeria's objectives for youth and women, in partnership with the UN and other stakeholders.
UN Delegation's Perspective and Support
Earlier, Paullier expressed appreciation for the meeting, noting that it was his first visit to Nigeria. He described the country as vibrant, with young people at the centre of its dynamism. He recalled that in 2022, the UN General Assembly established a dedicated office to coordinate global support for youths in areas such as human rights, education, and skills development.
According to him, Nigeria's strategic importance made the visit imperative, given its role as a global player in advancing youth development. Paullier said the UN delegation was in Nigeria to support the Federal Government's development agenda, alongside ongoing interventions by UN agencies in the country.
He added that Nigeria is on a positive development trajectory, noting that prioritising young people in policymaking would accelerate innovation and inclusive growth. The UN official stressed that meaningful youth development must be anchored on gender equality, as well as improved access to education and employment opportunities.
