The Needful Now: How Nigeria Built a Covenant Between Its Badge and Its Youth
From the streets of August 2024 to the halls of Louis Edet House, an investigation into how a country in crisis chose dialogue over confrontation.
This report examines the civic demands raised, the institutional responses that followed, and the accountability framework required to honour a generation’s covenant with its country. It traces an extraordinary sequence of events that transformed public anger into structured partnership between Nigeria’s security institutions and its young citizens.
“The UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youth Summit is not merely an event, but a national platform for reconciliation and partnership, a covenant between the Police and our youth to build trust, respect, and shared responsibility.”
PRINCE ABDULSALAMI LADIGBOLU-ORANMIYANPRESIDENT, UNESCO REF · LOUIS EDET HOUSE, ABUJA
From the three words that detonated a fuel crisis on inauguration morning, through the southwest advocacy fields, the ten days of rage on Nigerian streets, one unscheduled conversation at police headquarters, and the unprecedented gathering on International Youth Day, this is the investigation of how a country in crisis chose dialogue over confrontation and made history because of it. READ MORE.
The Educational Financing Facility Scheme (EFFS) is a flagship initiative of the UNESCO REF, under the leadership of President Prince Ladigbolu–Oranmiyan, designed to complement Nigeria’s National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The scheme expands access to international higher education, strengthens Nigeria’s human capital development, and aligns with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Global University Application Portal (UAPP) participates in the EFFS as a strategic partner, working with UNESCO REF to reinforce governance, transparency, and delivery, thereby strengthening the easy attainment of the scheme’s goals. The EFFS remains open for other credible institutions and stakeholders to read, engage, and partake, ensuring that the programme benefits from broad collaboration and shared responsibility.
Leadership Voice of Commitment
UNESCO REF President PrinceLadigbolu-Oranmiyan stated: “The EFFS is more than financing. It is a national, continental, and global commitment to ensure that no talented Nigerian is denied the opportunity to earn accredited international credentials because of financial barriers. By complementing NELFUND, we are embedding transparency, accountability, and equity into education financing. This is Nigeria’s gift to Africa, and Africa’s contribution to the world.”
POWA President Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun emphasized: “Our youth are the custodians of Nigeria’s future. The EFFS ensures that their aspirations are matched with structured support, ethical governance, and global opportunity. It is a flagship programme that strengthens families’ confidence and positions Nigeria as a leader in human capital development.”
UAPP CEO Mr. Md Shamim added: “Through our participation in the EFFS, we are connecting Nigerian students to world class universities with a transparent and credible admissions process. This collaboration ensures that ambition is matched with opportunity, and that financing is responsibly structured under UNESCO REF’s governance. It is a model of how global collaboration can empower Africa’s next generation.”
Advancing Nigeria’s National Priorities
The EFFS complements NELFUND by supporting youth empowerment, human capital development, and economic diversification. It ensures that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from pursuing global opportunities, reinforcing national strategies for innovation, employability, and sustainable growth.
Driving Africa’s Continental Agenda
The EFFS advances the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions an Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its youth. By positioning Nigerian students as global learners and future leaders, the EFFS contributes to Africa’s aspiration for inclusive growth, innovation, and prosperity.
Aligning with the United Nations SDGs
The EFFS contributes directly to:
SDG 4 Quality Education expanding access to higher education and lifelong learning
SDG 5 Gender Equality ensuring equitable opportunities for young women
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth preparing youth for global employment markets
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure fostering innovation ecosystems through skilled graduates
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities removing financial and administrative barriers to education
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals exemplifying multi stakeholder collaboration across institutions, civil society, and private partners
Roles and Responsibilities
UNESCO REF provides strategic oversight, governance, and beneficiary protections
UNESCO REF Chartered Institute Lichfield serves as the administrative hub, managing compliance and pre departure employability training
UAPP participates in admissions facilitation and strengthens attainment of scheme goals
UAPPPrivate Financial Partners and Consultants provide loan products and advisory services under REF’s governance framework
Other Stakeholders are invited to read, engage, and partake in the EFFS to broaden collaboration and impact
Implementation Framework
Pilot Phase initial implementation in Police Schools in Nigeria
National Rollout phased expansion across Nigeria aligned with NELFUND
Continental Scaling integration into AU Agenda 2063 youth empowerment frameworks
Global Partnerships alignment with UNESCO Education 2030 and World Bank Human Capital Project
Impact Metrics
Access 60,000 youth beneficiaries in the first phase
Equity minimum 50 percent participation by young women
Employability pre training modules linked to job readiness and entrepreneurship
Accountability independent audits, grievance mechanisms, and transparent reporting
Sustainability integration with national and continental financing frameworks
Confidence Statement
The EFFS is a professionally governed, student centred response to the needs of Nigerian families seeking international education. It complements NELFUND, advances Africa’s Agenda 2063, and contributes to the SDGs. With UNESCO REF providing oversight, Lichfield managing administration and pre training, UAPP participating as a strategic partner, and private partners supplying loan products, the EFFS stands as a global model for equitable, transparent, and sustainable education financing.
In furtherance of the national rollout of the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) flagship program, Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun, UNESCO REF YWA National Advocate and President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), led a distinguished UNESCO REF delegation on a working visit to the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke. The visit underscored the program’s strategic role in empowering women and youth, strengthening food security, and advancing sustainable development across Nigeria.
Purpose of the Visit
The delegation’s engagement with the Governor was designed to:
Present the objectives and transformative scope of the YWA initiative.
Explore Osun State’s active participation and leadership in program implementation.
Strengthen institutional partnerships for grassroots delivery.
Highlight alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Key Highlights
Governor’s Commitment: H.E. Senator Adeleke reaffirmed Osun State’s readiness to collaborate with UNESCO REF and POWA in advancing agricultural empowerment for women and youth.
Program Benefits: The delegation emphasized structured income opportunities, job creation, and international certification for participants.
Strategic Alignment: Discussions highlighted how the initiative directly addresses poverty reduction, gender equality, and food security challenges in Osun State.
Collaborative Pathways: Both parties agreed to establish a joint working framework to ensure effective rollout of the program in the state.
Diplomatic Significance
The presence of Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun as UNESCO REF YWA National Advocate and POWA President reinforced the program’s gender‑inclusive vision and symbolized the collective resolve of women leaders to champion agricultural transformation. The visit demonstrated UNESCO REF’s commitment to engaging state leadership at the highest level, ensuring that the initiative is both nationally owned and globally aligned.
Conclusion
The working visit to Osun State marks a significant milestone in the nationwide rollout of the Young Women in Agriculture initiative. By securing the support of Governor Adeleke and his administration, UNESCO REF and POWA strengthen their resolve to empower women and youth, enhance food security, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio‑economic development. Read Full Exclusive Story on Media Centre
Strategic Engagement for Food Security and Youth Empowerment
The President of the UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO‑REF), Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, accompanied by Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun, paid a formal working visit to the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, to consolidate modalities for the implementation of the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Programme and advance preparations for the National 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign.
This high‑level engagement reflects a shared commitment to food security, women’s empowerment, and inclusive national development, aligning civil society and government priorities with global development frameworks.
Diplomatic and National Context
The visit comes at a time when the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared food security a national priority, positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience. The discussions also align with the First Lady’s Food Bank Initiative, which combats hunger and provides nutritional support to vulnerable populations.
By empowering young women in agriculture and mobilizing millions of youth nationwide, UNESCO‑REF and the Ministry of Women Affairs are laying the foundation for sustainable food systems, national stability, and economic transformation.
Institutional Mandate and Leadership Voices
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan emphasized that both the YWA Programme and the 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign are part of UNESCO‑REF’s broader institutional strategy to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
He noted: “These initiatives are not projects in isolation, but national platforms for empowerment and resilience. By mobilizing our youth and empowering our women, Nigeria is positioning itself as a continental leader in food security and sustainable development.”
Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun underscored the importance of integrating women’s empowerment and youth mobilization into agricultural policy frameworks, highlighting that young Nigerians represent a critical demographic for driving innovation, productivity, and resilience. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with UNESCO‑REF in expanding training opportunities, mobilizing resources, and ensuring that both initiatives reach communities across Nigeria.
Strategic Outcomes
The working visit concluded with a mutual commitment to:
Establish joint action frameworks for programme rollout.
Strengthen institutional collaboration between UNESCO‑REF and the Ministry.
Mobilize partnerships for the successful implementation of the YWA Programme and the 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign.
Conclusion
This milestone reflects Nigeria’s determination to empower young women, mobilize youth nationwide, enhance food security, and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the SDGs.
By aligning UNESCO‑REF’s institutional mandate with the President’s food security agenda and the First Lady’s Food Bank Initiative, this collaboration demonstrates a diplomatic synergy between civil society, government, and traditional leadership, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in youth‑driven agricultural transformation and national development.
The President of the UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, paid a high‑level working visit to Deputy Commissioner of Police Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), during the period of the End Bad Governance Protests. The visit finalized preparations for the first‑ever UNESCO‑REF Nigeria Police Youth Summit, convened on 12 August 2024 in Abuja to mark UN International Youth Day.
This milestone initiative was designed to strengthen cordial relations between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian youth, directly addressing the urgent need for trust‑building, civic education, and inclusive participation in national security and governance.
National Significance
The Summit represents a strategic intervention in Nigeria’s democratic journey, aligning with UNESCO‑REF’s institutional mandate to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan emphasized: “The Nigeria Police Youth Summit is not merely an event, but a national platform for reconciliation and partnership — a covenant between the Police and our youth to build trust, respect, and shared responsibility.”
Summit Proceedings
Delegates: Over 400 participants from all 36 states and the FCT, including youth leaders, police representatives, civil society actors, and government officials.
Opening Ceremony: NYSC corps members performed traditional dances (Ekombi, Bàtá, Swange, Royal Court), celebrating unity in diversity.
Keynote Addresses:
IGP Kayode Egbetokun framed youth as essential partners in security.
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan articulated youth as change agents bridging technology and community ties.
Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, tied the Summit to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun addressed the trust gap and accountability frameworks.
Youth Q&A: Delegates pressed the IGP on protest management, corruption within the Force, raids on civil society, and protection for farmers. His candid responses underscored the value of open dialogue.
Thematic Sessions: Breakouts on crime prevention, conflict resolution, social media engagement, and community policing produced actionable proposals.
Strategic Recommendations
Youth Advisory Councils at federal, state, and local levels with genuine influence in security policy.
Technology‑enabled intelligence networks for youth to contribute securely to community safety.
Transparency reforms to rebuild trust, including independent oversight and public reporting.
Economic empowerment as a security strategy, integrating skills training and entrepreneurship.
DCP Adejobi welcomed the initiative, affirming the Nigeria Police Force’s readiness to partner with UNESCO‑REF in advancing youth‑focused programmes that reduce friction and build mutual respect. He noted that the Summit provides a structured avenue for dialogue, ensuring that youth voices are constructively integrated into national security discourse.
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan underscored that the Summit is part of UNESCO‑REF’s broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s attainment of the SDGs. By creating a platform for constructive engagement, the initiative will not only strengthen police‑youth relations but also contribute to national stability, social cohesion, and inclusive development.
Conclusion
The UNESCO‑REF Nigeria Police Youth Summit marked a turning point in police–youth relations, convened deliberately in the wake of the August 2024 protests. It demonstrated that Nigeria’s security imperatives and youth capabilities align naturally, and that no security strategy can succeed without youth cooperation.
With the groundwork laid, the challenge now is institutional will: to turn frameworks into operations and ensure that this partnership becomes a foundation for transformation. 📖 Read comprehensive summit report
