By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth development and protection, pledging institutional support for initiatives aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s young population as MTN Foundation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) deepen collaboration on social impact programmes.
April 29, 2026 — Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s demographic strength must be matched with deliberate investment in education, digital empowerment, and social protection systems to prevent vulnerability among young people. He noted that partnerships with private sector and international agencies are central to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda’s human capital development goals.
The MTN Foundation and UNODC initiative focuses on strengthening youth resilience against drug abuse, cybercrime, and social exclusion, while promoting skills development and civic responsibility.
Officials described the programme as part of a broader effort to address structural risks facing Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population.
Analysts say the collaboration reflects increasing alignment between government, corporate institutions and global agencies in addressing youth-related challenges.
However, they also caution that long-term success will depend on sustained funding, effective implementation, and measurable outcomes at community level.
The Federal Government reiterated that youth empowerment remains a cornerstone of national stability, economic growth, and long-term security planning under the current administration.
Leave a Reply