U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says the American government is committed to supporting young African leaders due to their crucial role in shaping their continent’s future.
Mr Mills stated this at a Pan-African Legacy Conference organised by the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (MWFAAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The ambassador highlighted the significance of MWFAAN’s decade-long journey.
While appreciating the association’s accomplishments, the U.S. envoy underscored the necessity of investing in Africa’s upcoming leaders.
Mr Mills also noted that the fellowship aimed to equip young leaders with the requisite skills and networks to spearhead community socio-economic developments.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima also emphasised the critical role of youth investment in aiding national prosperity and future advancement.
Mr Shettima, represented by his deputy chief of staff, Ibrahim Hadejia, said initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 would propel Africa’s growth.
He said that the 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.
Mr Mills commended MWFAAN and Nigerian youth organisations for their collaborative efforts to nurture Africa’s future leaders.
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 fostering leadership skills and promoting collaborative opportunities among emerging leaders.
Ms 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.
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 U.S.
