U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says his country is perpetually committed to supporting young African leaders due to the crucial role that they play in shaping their continent’s future.
Mills made this known at a Pan-African Legacy Conference organised by the The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (MWFAAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The theme of the conference is: “Shaping Africa’s Future through the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063.
The conference is aimed at providing a platform for advancing the socio-economic progress of the African continent.
The ambassador, who was represented by the embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, David Greene, highlighted the significance of MWFAAN’s decade-long journey.
While appreciating the association’s accomplishments, the U.S. envoy also underscored the necessity of investing in Africa’s upcoming leaders.
Mills also noted that the Fellowship aimed to equip young leaders with the requisite skills and networks to spearhead socio-economic developments in their communities.
Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasised the critical role of youth investment in aiding national prosperity and future advancement.
Shettima, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, said initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 would propel Africa’s growth.
He said that youth population in Africa was critical to the continent’s economic growth potential, adding that about 60 per cent of Africa’s population was under 25.
Amb. Mills commended MWFAAN and Nigerian youth organisations for their collaborative efforts in nurturing Africa’s future leaders.
Mrs Farida Yahya, President of MWFAAN, reiterated the association’s mission to empower young African leaders to drive sustainable development and economic prosperity across the continent.
She emphasised the need to foster leadership skills and promote collaborative opportunities among emerging leaders.
Yahya also expressed her belief in the potential of Africa’s youthful population to lead in innovation and creativity globally by 2050.
According to her, initiatives like MWFAAN will equip young leaders with the tools to succeed in life.
MWFAAN is a flagship fellowship programme of the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The programme has brought together nearly 6,500 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa for academic and leadership training in the United States.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Ubuntu Trade App, a digital platform.
The platform enables the programme’s Fellows to showcase their profiles and engage in trade activities across Africa and with partners in the U.S.