Nigeria seeks AU, NEPAD backing for youth, women empowerment

Nigeria is urging the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to place its youth and women empowerment initiatives at the forefront of its implementation plans. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this appeal during a bilateral meeting with AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer Nardos Bekele-Thomas on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that Nigeria's large youthful population necessitates increased investment in youth-focused programs. She reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to enhancing its partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, aiming to unlock economic opportunities, build resilient communities, and speed up sustainable development. The minister also called for greater support for women empowerment and private sector development, identifying them as crucial drivers of inclusive economic transformation.

Furthermore, the minister advocated for stronger collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD's Continental Secretariat and its National Focal Office in Abuja to ensure effective program implementation and better coordination. She commended AUDA-NEPAD for mobilizing $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, calling it a significant boost to Africa's development agenda. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also praised Bekele-Thomas's leadership in advancing the agency's mandate and successfully executing flagship projects under the African Union's Agenda 2063.

Nigeria, a founding member of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development (which evolved into AUDA-NEPAD), pledged its continued annual voluntary contributions to support the agency's development programs. Bekele-Thomas welcomed Nigeria's renewed commitment and affirmed AUDA-NEPAD's readiness to support the country's development priorities, expressing excitement to deepen collaboration with Nigeria.

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As Africa’s premier development agency, we are excited to deepen our collaboration with Nigeria, working together to create new economic opportunitie