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Nigeria, Sweden Deepen Bilateral Ties As VP Shettima Receives Crown Princess Victoria

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Nigeria, Sweden Deepen Bilateral Ties As VP Shettima Receives Crown Princess Victoria

** Says her visit will open doors to deeper institutional relations, foster greater cultural exchange between both nations

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria and Sweden on Monday in Abuja declared their firm resolve to deepen bilateral relations through trade, sustainable development, gender equality, and cultural exchange.

To this effect, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria will continue to be a dependable ally of Sweden in all seasons, noting that both countries are poised for a partnership “anchored in innovation, powered by people, and guided by our shared determination to uplift communities and secure prosperity for generations to come.”

This was the outcome of a meeting between the Vice President of Nigeria and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Victoria, is on a three-day official visit to Nigeria as part of the bid to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between Sweden and Nigeria.

Describing the Crown Princess’s visit to Nigeria as opening doors to deeper institutional relations and greater cultural exchange between both nations, VP Shettima noted that the visit is not only a continuation of dialogue but also a new chapter for both nations.

“This moment opens the door to deeper institutional ties, stimulates business-to-business collaboration, and fosters greater cultural exchange.

“We are particularly excited about opportunities in renewable energy, precision agriculture, healthcare innovation, and gender inclusion—areas where Sweden has much to offer, and Nigeria is eager to learn,” the VP stated.

The Vice President recalled his high-level engagement in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in October last year when he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pointing out that the visit marked a turning point in the bilateral relationship between both countries.

He continued: “From the warm hospitality extended by the Swedish government to the visionary discussions we had with Your Royal Highness, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and the captains of Swedish industry, we returned to Nigeria energised by a new momentum—one that has since translated into tangible outcomes for both our peoples.

“Our meetings in Sweden last year were not ceremonial; they were catalytic. They opened doors to strategic collaborations and renewed our commitment to making Nigeria a fertile ground for innovation, investment, and sustainable development.

“One of the most consequential outcomes of that visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Ericsson to support 5G innovation across our country.

“Beyond the digital frontier, Swedish enterprises continue to invest in Nigeria’s human capital and sustainable development. We applaud SchoolTry, the Swedish edtech company, for its continued work in transforming educational outcomes in Nigeria.”

VP Shettima told the Crown Princess that the aforementioned partnerships are “building blocks in a broader architecture of cooperation—one that positions Sweden as a key partner in Nigeria’s journey towards digital inclusion, educational reform, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy transition.”

Earlier, Crown Princess Victoria outlined Sweden’s vast interest in Nigeria, describing both nations as partners in so many sectors.

“We have been talking about Nigeria and Sweden now for a few days and it’s wonderful to see the opportunities that are here. And I think it’s specifically important during the times that we live right now,” the Crown Princess stated.

She said that it would be wonderful for Sweden to have a physical trade office in Nigeria, stating that it is something that should have been done long ago.

In his remarks, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, lauded the partnership between both countries, saying “We have seen opportunities in Nigeria when it comes to innovation, tech sector and many skills where we can learn from each other and this will shape a better future for tomorrow for our people.”

He said all is set to declare open Sweden’s trade office tomorrow, even as he noted that both nations are standing on a firm foundation of long-standing bilateral relations spanning 65 years of robust relationship.

“We also see that there is a long-standing relationship in the business sector, a strong partner with Nigeria in the MoU that was signed during your visit to Stockholm. We have opened five innovation hubs in Africa and the largest in Nigeria, in Lagos. So, I see a lot of opportunities when it comes to other sectors; in health, agriculture and others,” he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tugga, highlighted earlier discussions he had with the Crown Princess of Sweden, including matters involving trade and investment, agriculture, green energy, solar, green hydrogen, ICT and Business Outsourcing involving issues of employment for skilled workers.

He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Technical Aid Corp, will partner with countries that are interested in workers from Nigeria in a structured manner to reduce regional migration.

VP Shettima pledges Nigeria’s commitment to stronger ties with tech giant, Ericsson

In another development, Vice President Shettima on Monday pledged Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Swedish tech giant, Ericsson, by promptly operationalising the Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) signed between the country and the company in 2024.

The Vice President stated this when he received a delegation from the tech giant led by its Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mr Patrick Johansson, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Senator Shettima said Ericsson is a part of the Nigerian experiment, recalling that the firm laid the foundation for other tech giants at the time.

Noting that the company has kept faith with the nation as a partner in progress and a collaborator in her shared story of transformation, the VP commended the tech giant for its current investments in the establishment of innovation hubs and support for small businesses in the country, which he said is a consolidation of the partnership with the company.

The Vice President urged Ericsson and other investors to leverage the potential of the Nigerian nation, particularly harnessing the enthusiasm of its youthful population.

“We cherish our relationship with Sweden and your company and I must urge you to harness our manifest destiny. We are a large nation with a tech-savvy population. We are making efforts across different fields. A good number of the Unicorns that we have in Africa are Nigerian-based. The future is Nigeria,” the VP noted.

On his part, the Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area, Europe, Middle East and Africa of the company, Mr Patrick Johansson, emphasized the need to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Ericsson through the promotion of grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship, among other projects of Ericsson.

In the same vein, the company’s Vice President and Head of Customer Units, West and South Africa at Ericsson Middle East & Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, said Nigeria occupied an important place in the company’s history.

He said Ericsson believes in Nigeria’s potential and is proud of the existing relationship, especially the possibilities for growth in the local market and entrenchment of a digital culture among the citizenry.

Also present at the meeting with the VP were Ericsson’s Director of Public Affairs, Government and Industry Relations and the company’s Senior Solutions Architect, Mr Efosa Aigbe.

Nigeria, Sweden Deepen Bilateral Ties As VP Shettima Receives Crown Princess Victoria

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Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030

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Nigeria Partners UNICEF To Train 20m Youth In Digital Skills By 2030

** As VP Shettima chairs Generation Unlimited board

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its strategic partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to train and empower 20 million young Nigerians with digital skills by 2030.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has accepted to chair the board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership platform constituted to help young Nigerians between the ages of 10 and 24 transition from learning to earning through digital connectivity.

Speaking during a meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall; UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, and Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, at the President Villa, Abuja on Monday, Senator Shettima warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 230 million with an average age of 17, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

“It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” the Vice President said.

The GenU 9JA initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment as tools for national transformation.

VP Shettima stressed that Nigeria is not seeking handouts but sustainable, equitable partnerships.

“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship—one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative. Beyond leadership in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them, we have to empower them,” he said.

The VP described the initiative as a beautiful programme that would enable the Nigerian youths trade their skills in the global market, saying “from earning to learning is a beautiful initiative and more than any other platform, the digital space gives us the easiest window to get the youth engaged effortlessly.

“They can trade their skills in the global market. I know of a lot of young Nigerians who are working for global firms from the comfort of their homes,” he added.

Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator, Fall, praised Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the GenU platform is central to addressing youth unemployment, educational inequality, and digital exclusion.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” Fall said.

Also, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Khan, added that GenU 9JA is one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment programmes, with Nigeria showcased as a model.

“We’ve seen incredible results from Nigeria. Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said.

According to Khan, the programme is built on three pillars: digital connectivity, pathways from learning to earning, and youth engagement and empowerment—all designed to prepare Nigerian youth for today’s job market.

On her part, UNICEF Lagos Chief, Celine Lafoucriere, noted that since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has impacted over 10 million young people, with 1,500 job linkages already secured.

“To reach our target of 20 million youth by 2030, we must now strengthen coordination among partners and align even more closely with national policy,” Lafoucriere said.
End

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OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

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OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders at the just concluded four-day strategic Obafemi Awolowo University Council Management Retreat have resolved to work together and use their respective expertise towards the development of the institution.

Rising from the retreat held from May 28 to May 31, 2025 at Ede, Osun state, the Stakeholders used the opportunity to restrategise on challenges and opportunities confronting the 63 years old institution.

The retreat tagged: “Towards A Better Working Relationship Between Council and Management” had Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan as the keynote speaker.

Other stakeholders in attendance include Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Simeon Adebayo Bamire, OAU Vice Chancellor, his DVC Administration, Prof. O.M.A. Daramola and newly elected Great Ife Alumni Association President, Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode.

Others in attendance were Prof. M. Olubola Babalola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development and all other principal officers of the University which include the Registrar, Librarian and the Bursar.

All the registered unions like ASUU, CONUA, Students Union Government among other stakeholders at the institution were equally in attendance during the retreat.

In his goodwill message, Barrister Falode used the opportunity to unveil the Alumni 14-point agenda which include giving priority to the needs of the University as the Federal Government allocation alone cannot sustain it.

He also said that working together with all stakeholders in a rancour-free atmosphere is what they need to achieve all the set goals of the Alumni for the university.

Falode, who was sworn in as Global President on Saturday May 24, however, urged all stakeholders to work in harmony with the management and Council of the Institutions towards making it a true centre of academic excellence.

OAU RETREAT: STAKEHOLDERS RESOLVED TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE INSTITUTION’S DEVELOPMENT

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ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

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ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

By: Michael Mike

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves on Monday emphasised the critical need for transparent financial management and strategic institutional reform as the Court navigates a defining moment in its administrative evolution.
 
Speaking at the 17th Administration and Budget Retreat of the Court, the President said the retreat was not merely a routine institutional exercise, but one that requires renewed commitment, clear vision, and adaptive leadership.
 
“This is not just another meeting,” he said. “It is a decisive moment that will shape the future of the Court. The complex administrative and financial environment we are operating in, demands not only compliance but also innovation, resilience, and courage.”
 
Gonçalves stressed the importance of building a more efficient and accountable institutional framework. He called for a renewed sense of purpose among departments, urging managers and staff to embrace transparency and creativity in tackling challenges.
 
“The Court must reflect a strong strategic direction and realign its priorities to match regional realities. We cannot afford to be passive. We must act decisively to redefine our priorities, streamline our procedures, and reinforce our core mission”.
 
Highlighting the economic challenges facing the West African region, the President underscored the need for efficient use of financial resources and ensure that all initiatives, are results-oriented, impactful, and aligned with the Court’s long-term vision.
 
He emphasised that the Court must serve as a model of integrity, foresight, and adaptability: “We are not only managing numbers; we are shaping the future of regional justice. Our financial and administrative actions must match the responsibility we carry as custodian of community law.
 
The President called for the consolidation of strategic plans into concrete, measurable reforms and encouraged collaboration across departments to foster a professional and inclusive working environment, one that motivates, empowers, and attracts talent.
 
The Director of Administration and Finance of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Chief Dr. William Deiyan Towah who made a presentation on the «Objectives and Expectations of the Retreat,” emphasised the importance of strategic reflection, data-driven planning, and institutional renewal. He urged participants to go beyond routine planning and embrace a future-ready approach that prioritises impact, sustainability, and risk management.
 
“This is not just about doing our best,” he stated. “It is about ensuring our efforts are effective, sustainable, and align with the Court’s evolving realities.”

Participants at the retreat include directors, heads of divisions and units, administrative and finance staff and other key staff of the Court.

ECOWAS Court President Calls for Strategic Renewal and Institutional Realignment

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