In a bid to foster youth empowerment and address the pressing need for skilled professionals in Africa, the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) has forged a strategic alliance with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
This partnership, spearheaded by the President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, underscores a shared vision to equip Africa’s burgeoning youth population with the education and expertise necessary to propel the continent towards sustainable development.
During a recent meeting at the AfDB’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Adesina emphasized the critical importance of harnessing the talents and creativity of Africa’s 477 million young people.
He emphasized the imperative role of quality education in shaping the future trajectory of the continent.
Established in 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria, NUTM has swiftly emerged as a beacon of academic excellence, committed to nurturing the next generation of technology and management leaders.
Omobola Johnson, Dean of NUTM Scholars Programme, reiterated the pivotal role that African youth will play in shaping global development by 2050.
Adesina commended NUTM’s efforts, noting the alignment with the AfDB’s initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.
He cited the example of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project in Nigeria, which received significant funding from AfDB to promote digital innovation and generate employment opportunities.
Adesina also highlighted the AfDB’s ongoing investment in initiatives such as the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program, aimed at creating millions of new jobs and bolstering economic growth in Nigeria. The Bank’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship, exemplified by projects like the Youth Entrepreneurship and Investment Bank (YEIBs) in Liberia, underscores its dedication to nurturing Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Babs Omotowa,Founding President of NUTM, expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between NUTM and AfDB. He emphasized the shared goal of building a formidable educational institution capable of addressing Africa’s multifaceted challenges.
In attendance at the meeting were key figures from both institutions, including Beth Dunford, Vice-President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development at AfDB, and Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization.
