VP Shettima To Launch Fresh Women, Youth, Children Learning, Empowerment Fund

… As Nigeria co-hosts Africa Social Impact Summit, policy engagement in Abuja

By: Our Reporter

All is set for the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, to launch a fresh learning fund and empowerment platform targeted at unlocking the potential of Nigerian children, women, and youth.

The event is billed to hold on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

This initiative, convened by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with Sterling One Foundation, the United Nations System, and other ASIS partners, will form part of the outcomes of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026 High-Level Policy Engagement.

ASIS is a premier platform for accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation, financing, and partnerships.

The high-level engagement with the theme, “Scaling Action – Driving Inclusive Growth through Policy and Innovation,” will bring together over 200 senior leaders from government, private enterprise, development institutions, civil society, and the diplomatic community.

Key highlights of the engagement include the launch of flagship, policy-backed initiatives, notably the Business Coalition for Education (BCE) and the Nigeria Foundational Learning Fund, designed to accelerate foundational literacy and numeracy, while addressing the country’s out-of-school children challenge.

Also to be launched on Wednesday is the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) Nigeria, the country’s flagship platform for advancing women and youth economic empowerment through compact-based delivery, co-investment frameworks, and performance accountability.

This will make Nigeria the implementation platform of the African Union’s WYFEI programme.

WYFEI will also be launched in other countries after Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the engagement, the Vice President noted that Nigeria is poised for a prosperity-filled future through the government’s sustained and effective mobilisation of funding, support, and expertise, both internationally and locally.

“Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on how effectively we mobilise the private sector, development partners, and public institutions around shared national priorities. This engagement marks a critical step toward delivery-driven partnerships that unlock the full potential of our women and youth, strengthen human capital, and accelerate inclusive growth,” he said.

On her part, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, explained that the ASIS 2026 High-Level Policy Engagement represents a pivotal shift from conversation to national execution.

According to her, the high-level meeting will deliberately align policy, innovation, financing, and frameworks that enable solutions to scale—delivering real impact for millions of Nigerians, while positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s sustainable growth agenda.

The event will also feature the adoption of the WYFEI Nigeria Declaration, a national statement of intent to be endorsed by government officials, CEOs, and development partners, committing to coordinated action to unlock Nigeria’s women and youth dividend.

Senior government officials, chief executives, development partners, investors, and civil society organisations will converge on Abuja to advance results-driven partnerships for inclusive growth, foundational learning, women and youth empowerment, and national development delivery for Nigeria.
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Nigeria, Italy Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Tackle Migration, Security Challenges

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Italy have expressed renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on addressing irregular migration, insecurity, counter-terrorism, and expanding economic cooperation.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in Abuja on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Mengoni.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Italy as one of Nigeria’s key strategic partners in Europe, noting that although diplomatic relations between both countries span more than six decades, there is yet to be a formal Nigeria-Italy Bi-National Commission, calling for the establishment of such a framework to deepen structured engagement and cooperation.

According to the minister, sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between both countries have continued to highlight shared priorities in sustainable development, food security, climate action, and economic growth.

She said ongoing consultations between Nigeria and Italy also reflect a common commitment to addressing global and regional challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and security threats.

The minister urged for continued collaboration of both countries in combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crimes, while calling for stronger Italian involvement in Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms. She identified renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure development as critical sectors for enhanced cooperation.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also sought Italy’s technical support for Nigeria’s industrialisation drive, stressing that improved mobility between both countries would stimulate trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.

She emphasised the need to improve visa processing systems, noting that more efficient procedures would ease movement, reduce delays, and strengthen economic and diplomatic relations.

The minister also called for the creation of effective trade facilitation mechanisms to allow Nigerian agricultural and manufactured products access to the Italian market, thereby reducing transit costs and improving supply chain efficiency.

Describing migration as both a challenge and an opportunity, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria and Italy are working together to curb irregular migration while expanding legal migration pathways. She explained that bilateral cooperation includes repatriation agreements, voluntary return initiatives, and reintegration programmes for Nigerians returning from Italy.

She also highlighted joint efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks operating between both countries, with special emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups. According to her, vocational training and small business development initiatives are being implemented in high-migration areas to address the root causes of irregular migration.

“With Nigeria’s large youth population, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our young people,” the minister said. “We are seeking effective ways to combat irregular migration, especially as Italy remains a major destination for Nigerian migrants.”

She added that Nigeria is exploring youth-focused initiatives to address unemployment, youth restiveness, and online radicalisation, while appealing for support in building capacity to counter violent extremism.

Earlier, Mengoni reaffirmed Italy’s interest in strengthening relations with Nigeria, describing the country as central to Italy’s Africa cooperation strategy.

He said his mission to Nigeria would prioritise expanding diplomatic and business ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We now have the momentum to engage Nigeria more deeply and enhance cooperation. Italy does not believe in imposing policies on African countries but in building partnerships,” Mengoni stated.

Nigeria, Italy Set to Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Tackle Migration, Security Challenges

Nigeria Launches 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, Signals Shift to Resilience and Poverty Reduction

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), reaffirming its commitment to move beyond emergency relief toward prevention, resilience, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the launch held on Thursday at the UN House Auditorium in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, said Nigeria is at a critical turning point in its humanitarian journey and must transition from repeated crisis response to long-term solutions that reduce vulnerability and poverty.

Dr. Doro commended the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and humanitarian partners for their collaboration with the Federal Government in developing the 2026 plan and in responding to humanitarian crises across the country. He also acknowledged the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Fall, and the efforts of donors, civil society organisations, and community-based actors.

According to the minister, humanitarian interventions over the years have played a crucial role in saving lives and alleviating suffering caused by conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and food insecurity, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. However, he stressed that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, humanitarian assistance must serve as a pathway to recovery and sustainable development rather than a permanent solution.

“The 2026 HNRP represents a strategic shift from repeated emergency response toward prevention, resilience, recovery, and durable solutions aligned with national development priorities,” Dr. Doro said.

He emphasized that the Federal Government would continue to provide leadership in humanitarian coordination, ensuring that interventions align with national policies, strengthen government systems at all levels, and contribute directly to poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

The minister highlighted prevention and preparedness as key priorities, noting that Nigeria can no longer afford to respond only after predictable crises occur. He called for stronger early warning systems, anticipatory action, and risk-informed planning as more humane and cost-effective approaches.

Localization was also identified as a central pillar of the government’s humanitarian strategy. Dr. Doro said Nigerian institutions, civil society groups, women-led and youth-led organisations, and community structures must play a leading role in response and recovery efforts. He added that increasing direct support to local actors and ensuring accountability to affected populations would help build a nationally owned and resilient humanitarian system.

On displacement, the minister stressed the need for durable solutions, stating that humanitarian assistance should not replace governance or development. Instead, efforts must focus on restoring livelihoods, expanding access to basic services, strengthening social protection, and addressing the root causes of vulnerability, including poverty and exclusion.

Dr. Doro reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, describing it as essential for ensuring that humanitarian investments lead to lasting improvements in people’s lives and contribute to peace and social cohesion.

As Nigeria enters a phased humanitarian transition, the government called on international partners to continue working within nationally led frameworks aligned with national priorities. The minister expressed appreciation for the support of the international community while underscoring Nigeria’s determination to lead its humanitarian and poverty reduction agenda.

He concluded by urging stakeholders to see the launch of the 2026 HNRP as a clear move from dependency to resilience, from response to prevention, and from humanitarian management to sustainable human development.

The 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan outlines priority actions aimed at protecting lives, restoring dignity, and building resilient communities across the country.

Nigeria Launches 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, Signals Shift to Resilience and Poverty Reduction