Dare Babalola
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the empowerment of women and youths across the country, with a focus on financial inclusion, skills development, job creation, and security.
This assurance was given by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday when he received a delegation from the UN led by Assistant Secretary-General on Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the meeting underscored Nigeria’s resolve to deepen cooperation with the global body in advancing inclusive development policies targeted at young people and women.
Shettima said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the immense potential of Nigerian youths, describing them as critical drivers of national transformation.
“The administration acknowledges the potentials of the youth as the engine of change and growth who cannot be treated as a mere statistical powerhouse,” the Vice President stated.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with the UN, Shettima emphasised the central role of youths and women in shaping the country’s future.
“They are the pillar of the moment upon whom the future of the nation rests,” he said.
The Vice President further noted that President Tinubu’s administration is strongly committed to gender equality and youth empowerment, adding that strategic policies are being put in place to harness Nigeria’s growing population.
He said, “The President believes in gender equality and youth empowerment. Under this administration, the anticipated demographic bulge will be transformed into demographic dividends.”
Shettima reiterated the administration’s dedication to youth development, describing it as a necessary component of national progress.
“On behalf of the President, I reaffirm this administration’s commitment to youth development. It is almost inevitable in any dispensation. The youths are the backbone of every society’s transformation,” he added.
To further drive these objectives, the Vice President proposed the establishment of institutional mechanisms that would facilitate Nigeria’s youth and women empowerment agenda in partnership with the United Nations and other development partners.
Earlier in his remarks, Paullier expressed appreciation for the warm reception, noting that the visit marked his first official trip to Nigeria.
He described Nigeria as a vibrant nation with a youthful population at the core of its dynamism.
“Nigeria is a very vibrant country, with young people at the heart of this vibrancy,” he said.
Paullier recalled that in 2022, the UN General Assembly established a dedicated office to coordinate global youth-focused initiatives, including the promotion of human rights, skills development, and training opportunities.
He explained that his visit was significant given Nigeria’s strategic role on the global stage in advancing youth development.
According to him, the UN youth delegation is in Nigeria to support the Federal Government’s development vision, complementing ongoing multi-level interventions by UN agencies in the country.
Paullier expressed optimism about Nigeria’s development trajectory, stressing that prioritising youth inclusion in governance and policy-making would accelerate innovation and sustainable growth.
“Nigeria is on the right path to development. If relevant authorities continue to place Nigerian youths at the heart of critical decisions, development and innovation will be accelerated,” he noted.
He also highlighted the importance of gender equality and access to education and employment as key pillars for advancing youth development.
The engagement between Nigeria and the United Nations signals renewed momentum in fostering inclusive policies aimed at unlocking the potential of women and youths as catalysts for national and global progress.
