Nigeria has intensified efforts to secure greater support from the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), urging the continental body to prioritise the country in implementing programmes that will expand opportunities for youth and women.
The appeal was made by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu during a bilateral meeting with Nardos Bekele-Thomas on the margins of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria's youthful population, which accounts for over 70 per cent of its citizens, makes the country a strategic destination for the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other AUDA-NEPAD initiatives aimed at creating jobs and promoting inclusive economic growth.
She stressed that increased investment in youth development, women's empowerment and private sector growth would significantly advance Nigeria's sustainable development objectives while strengthening Africa's overall economic transformation.
The minister also called for closer coordination between AUDA-NEPAD's Continental Secretariat and its National Focal Office in Abuja to improve the planning and execution of development projects across the country.
Commending the agency for mobilising $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, she described the achievement as a major step towards harnessing Africa's growing youth population for economic prosperity.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further applauded Bekele-Thomas for driving the implementation of flagship programmes under the African Union's Agenda 2063 and for attracting funding through partnerships with governments, development institutions, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and civil society.
Reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to the continental agency, the minister noted that the country has remained a strong supporter of AUDA-NEPAD since the establishment of its predecessor, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, and will continue to contribute to its programmes.
Responding, Bekele-Thomas welcomed Nigeria's commitment and reaffirmed AUDA-NEPAD's readiness to strengthen collaboration with Africa's largest economy.
She said the agency would continue partnering with Nigeria to unlock new economic opportunities, empower communities and accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 for the benefit of millions of Africans.