The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has joined the global community in commemorating this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) under the theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond’.
Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1999 and observed annually on 12 August, IYD underscores the pivotal role of young people as the backbone of society, transforming global ambitions into locally driven realities and shaping a sustainable future.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director-General of the NCSP, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, emphasized that the enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and China is deliberately structured to enhance youth participation in strategic sectors of the economy.
The areas of collaboration, he noted, will promote inclusion, drive innovation and creativity, and strengthen human capital development for the benefit of young Nigerians.
The NCSP reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians by creating opportunities within the framework of Nigeria–China cooperation.
Tegbe noted that the partnership will unlock vast prospects across key sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure, technology transfer, education, youth empowerment, and foreign policy, setting the stage for unprecedented progress in the decades ahead.
“Through targeted programmes, the NCSP will integrate more young people into its initiatives, foster knowledge transfer, and promote growth across priority areas.
“In agriculture, technological innovation is enhancing productivity and sustainability; in education, it is expanding access to quality learning; and in technology, it is enabling the transfer of transformative solutions.
“These advances, combined with skills development and empowerment initiatives, are reinforced by the deepening economic interdependence between Nigeria and China.
Positioning the NCSP as a bridge and facilitator between Nigerian and Chinese partners, Tegbe expressed optimism that the initiative will unlock the potential of Nigeria’s youth, boost innovation and economic prosperity, and accelerate progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
IYD: Nigeria, China Strategic Partnership advances collaboration for youth development
