Nigeria has called on the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to prioritise the country in the implementation of the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other key development initiatives aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young people and women.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting held on July 27–28 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with AUDA-NEPAD to unlock economic opportunities, build resilient communities and accelerate sustainable development across the country. She noted that with more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population made up of young people, increased investment in youth-focused programmes had become imperative.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged the continental development agency to expand its support for women empowerment and private sector development initiatives, describing both as essential drivers of inclusive economic growth and national transformation.
She stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the AUDA-NEPAD Continental Secretariat and the Agency’s National Focal Office in Abuja to ensure effective implementation of development programmes and improved coordination.
The minister commended AUDA-NEPAD for its interventions in human capital development, particularly the successful mobilisation of 100 million dollars for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, describing the achievement as a significant milestone in advancing Africa’s development agenda.
She further praised Bekele-Thomas for her leadership and commitment to advancing the Agency’s mandate, congratulating her on the progress made in implementing flagship projects under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also applauded the AUDA-NEPAD CEO for mobilising resources through strategic partnerships with governments, international development partners, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and civil society.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to the Agency, the minister recalled that the country was among the founding members of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which later evolved into AUDA-NEPAD. She assured the Agency of Nigeria’s continued annual voluntary contributions towards funding its core development programmes and projects.
Responding, AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, welcomed Nigeria’s renewed commitment and reaffirmed the Agency’s readiness to support the country’s development priorities.
She said AUDA-NEPAD remained committed to deepening its partnership with Nigeria to create new economic opportunities, strengthen communities and accelerate the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“As Africa’s premier development agency, we are excited to deepen our collaboration with Nigeria, working together to create new economic opportunities, empower communities and translate the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into tangible benefits for the people,” Bekele-Thomas said.
