Nigeria has urged the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development to prioritise the country in the implementation of the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other development initiatives aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young people and women.

The 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 and 28 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister said Nigeria’s youthful population made increased investment in youth-focused programmes imperative.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with AUDA-NEPAD to unlock economic opportunities, build resilient communities and accelerate sustainable development.

She also called for greater support for women empowerment and private sector development initiatives, describing both as critical drivers of inclusive economic transformation.

The minister further advocated stronger collaboration between the AUDA-NEPAD Continental Secretariat and the Agency’s National Focal Office in Abuja to ensure effective implementation of programmes and improved coordination.

She commended AUDA-NEPAD for mobilising $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, describing the achievement as a major boost to Africa’s development agenda.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also praised Bekele-Thomas for her leadership in advancing the agency’s mandate and successfully implementing flagship projects under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

She lauded the AUDA-NEPAD chief for mobilising resources through partnerships with governments, development partners, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and civil society.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding support for the agency, the minister recalled that the country was among the founding members of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which later evolved into AUDA-NEPAD, and pledged Nigeria’s continued annual voluntary contributions to support its development programmes.

Responding, Bekele-Thomas welcomed Nigeria’s renewed commitment and reaffirmed AUDA-NEPAD’s readiness to support the country’s development priorities.

She said, “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.”