Nigeria pushes for priority status in AUDA-NEPAD development programmes

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 development initiatives, citing its vast youth population and enormous potential for inclusive economic growth.

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 comprising young people, greater investment in youth-focused programmes was imperative.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also advocated increased AUDA-NEPAD support for women empowerment and private sector development initiatives, describing both as critical drivers of inclusive economic transformation.

She further underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between the AUDA-NEPAD Continental Secretariat and the Agency’s National Focal Office in Abuja to ensure the effective implementation of programmes and enhanced coordination.

The minister commended AUDA-NEPAD’s interventions in human capital development, particularly the successful mobilisation of $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme, describing the achievement as a major boost to Africa’s development agenda.

She also praised Ms. Bekele-Thomas for her visionary leadership and dedication to advancing the Agency’s mandate, congratulating her on the progress recorded in implementing the flagship projects under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu specifically applauded the AUDA-NEPAD CEO for successfully 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 one of the founding members of the former New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which has since evolved into AUDA-NEPAD. She reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering support for the Agency and assured it of the country’s continued annual voluntary contributions towards funding its core development programmes and projects.

In her response, AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, welcomed the renewed commitment by Nigeria 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 unlock 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,” she said.