Nigeria seeks AU, NEPAD backing for youth, women empowerment

Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called upon the African Union Development Agency, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to prioritize the country in implementing key developmental programs focused on empowering youth and women. The request came during a bilateral meeting with AUDA-NEPAD’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas, held on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 27 and 28. The meeting underscored Nigeria’s strategic interest in leveraging regional cooperation to address pressing socio-economic challenges. The Nigerian delegation emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in youth-focused initiatives, citing the nation’s large and growing youthful population as a critical asset for future growth. According to a statement released by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted how this demographic trend necessitates targeted policies to harness potential and reduce unemployment. She reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, aiming to foster community resilience and advance sustainable development goals. In addition to youth empowerment, the minister stressed the importance of supporting women’s advancement and private sector development as essential components of inclusive economic progress. These areas, she argued, are vital for achieving broader national and continental objectives. To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, she proposed closer collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD’s continental secretariat and its national focal office based in Abuja, emphasizing the need for streamlined program execution and better inter-agency coordination. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also acknowledged AUDA-NEPAD’s recent success in securing $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, which aims to transform Africa’s youthful population into a workforce capable of driving economic growth. She described this financial milestone as a significant contribution to the continent’s development agenda. The minister expressed appreciation for Bekele-Thomas’s leadership in executing flagship projects under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, noting the agency’s ability to secure funding through diverse partnerships involving governments, international donors, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Bekele-Thomas responded positively to Nigeria’s renewed commitment, expressing enthusiasm for deepening their collaborative relationship. She stated that AUDA-NEPAD is prepared to assist Nigeria in translating its development priorities into practical outcomes, including creating employment opportunities and improving living standards. Her remarks aligned with the agency’s mission to promote shared prosperity across the continent. Nigeria, one of the founding members of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping regional development strategies. The country has consistently contributed annually to AUDA-NEPAD’s programs, reflecting its long-standing support for the agency’s work. During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed this tradition, pledging ongoing financial assistance to sustain and expand AUDA-NEPAD’s initiatives. This commitment underscores Nigeria’s determination to remain a key player in Africa’s collective pursuit of sustainable development and social equity.