Nigeria Will Lead Africa’s Growth With Education, Innovation In Agric – VP Shettima

** Says continent’s youths are drivers of global change

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria’s dedication to harnessing the potential of its youth, investing in education, and advancing smart agriculture are necessary strategies that will go a long way in tackling global and domestic challenges.

On a continental level, the Vice President noted that African youths are central to this transformation.

Speaking at the Financial Times Global Risk Roundtable at the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, VP Shettima observed however that while crises abound, they also present opportunities for nations to rebuild stronger.

He said, “The word for crisis in Chinese is ‘Wei Ji’. Wei stands for danger, while Ji stands for opportunity. Yes, we have challenges, but those challenges are pregnant with opportunities to re-engineer our society and build back better.”

The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to embrace innovation and empowerment, particularly through education, gender-focused initiatives, and smart agriculture to propel its economy into the fourth post-industrial revolution.

“The crisis has given us a unique opportunity to invest in people, especially in areas that will enable us to leapfrog our economies into global competitiveness,” he said.

Senator Shettima also expressed disbelief in dependency on foreign aid, advocating instead for equal partnerships that uphold dignity.

“I don’t believe in aid; I believe in partnership. I’d rather carry my poverty with dignity and deal with people, nations, and companies on a pedestal of equality, not in a master-servant relationship. I didn’t come with a begging bowl,” he said.

The VP expressed optimism about Africa’s prospects, noting the continent’s rich resources and strategic importance to global growth, saying, “My continent is the richest in the world, and the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa. Nigeria will make or mar that transition. The youths of Africa are the drivers of change.”

Acknowledging global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, the Vice President noted their impact on supply chains, humanitarian challenges, and peace.

He called for multilateral collaboration, stressing that the interconnected nature of global challenges requires solutions.

“There is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology in the African continent. But hope springs eternal in the hearts of men. As members of the same human family, we can find solutions to our challenges. We must look inward to solve our problems, but multilateralism is key. These challenges are global, and we must fuse into one human family to overcome them,” the Vice President added.

Nigeria Will Lead Africa’s Growth With Education, Innovation In Agric – VP Shettima

Interior Minister Orders Reactivation of Broken Down Equipment in Atlanta, New York Consulates

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered the reactivation of broken-down equipment of the passport offices in the United States offices in Atlanta and New York.

The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Alao Babatunde on Thursday said the order was necessary following the petition from Nigerians in the diaspora on the need to fix broken-down passport equipment in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.

The spokesman said the minister has therefore directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities.

He said: “These printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.”

The statement read: “The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.

“Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.

“The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.

“The Minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.”

Interior Minister Orders Reactivation of Broken Down Equipment in Atlanta, New York Consulates

Nigeria Needs Development and Peace Building Efforts to Resolve Crises- UN

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations has said the solution to crises across the Nigeria is development and peacebuilding efforts more than humanitarian interventions.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan at the UN House in Abuja, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall lamented that humanitarian assistance continues to reduce worldwide and efficiency is required in managing the fund available.

Fall said: “Following the floods in Maiduguri and across Nigeria, we saw humanitarian and development partners, alongside the private sector pulling together to alleviate people’s suffering.

“Overall, in 2024 the Humanitarian Response Plan for north-east Nigeria received 57 per cent in funding (about $527 million out of the total ask of almost $927 million) to respond to the critical needs of 4.4 million people out of 8.1 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance“

He added that there are humanitarian needs across Nigeria due to a diverse range of causes – from food insecurity to internal displacement due to intercommunal clashes, as well as climate change impacts among other risks, revealing that: “In 2025, food insecurity across Nigeria is projected to affect over 33 million people during the lean season, with alarming levels of acute malnutrition threatening the lives of millions of children. These figures underscore the gravity of the challenges we face.”

Fall however noted that: “But humanitarian interventions are not the solutions for these problems across Nigeria. What is required is development and peacebuilding efforts, combined with humanitarian action, to address the underlying causes of these needs.

He said: “In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, the 2025 HNRP aims to provide life-saving assistance to 3.6 million out of 7.8 million people requiring urgent assistance with a financial requirement of a little over US$ 900 million.The HNRP prioritizes women, children, and persons with disabilities, stressing that: “We cannot ignore the stark reality of declining global funding for humanitarian efforts.

“We have to become more efficient in terms of delivery of humanitarian action. We have to consider carefully who delivers what and how to make sure that scarce resources are put to the best possible use. This may include anticipatory action, acting before disaster strikes to mitigate the impact and directly funding the local partners who often ultimately deliver the assistance.

“Together, we must continue making a difference in the lives of affected people.

“I urge donors to close the funding gap and appeal to the private sector and the Government to play a more significant role in supporting humanitarian action.

“I also reaffirm the United Nations’ unwavering commitment to working hand in hand with the Nigerian Government, partners, and communities to alleviate suffering and reduce affected people’s vulnerability.”

Meanwhile, the federal government has approved a N4 billion allocation for conditional cash transfers to support vulnerable households across Nigeria.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwada made the revelation at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and outlined that the initiative aimed at addressing the nation’s growing humanitarian challenges.

He noted that the programme will assist at least 10 million displaced households, focusing on the most vulnerable members of society, adding that the cash transfers are scheduled to begin in February and run through April, targeting families affected by displacement, particularly in the Northeast.

Yilwada stated that: “We are prioritising women, especially widows, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. The experiences of displaced women, particularly those facing pregnancy or disability, are especially challenging. We understand these vulnerabilities and will continue to support those who are most in need.

“The President has approved the Ministry’s plan to begin paying conditional cash transfers to 10 million displaced households between February and April. This initiative aims to support those most in need, particularly vulnerable families affected by displacement.

“In addition to the cash transfer programme, the government has approved N2 billion for interest-free loans to farmers in rural areas to enhance food production and self-sufficiency.

“Additionally, the government has allocated N2 billion to provide interest-free loans to farmers in rural communities.”

Yilwada also noted that: “These loans will range from N300,000 to N400,000 per household, helping farmers access necessary resources and linking them to market opportunities.”

The Minister further highlighted additional relief measures to include: “A N4 billion provision has been approved to support vulnerable groups through cash transfers, targeting families affected by natural disasters and other crises. These interventions are part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate poverty and provide relief to those in urgent need.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and affected communities nationwide.

Yilwada explained that the HNRP was developed through extensive consultations and designed to address the humanitarian needs of conflict-affected regions, including Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, promising that: “We are combining the efforts of humanitarian, developmental, and peacebuilding platforms to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable solutions for these communities.”

Nigeria Needs Development and Peace Building Efforts to Resolve Crises- UN