UNESCO REF President’s Working Visit to the Nigeria Police Force: Advancing National Cohesion through Youth Engagement
UNESCO REF Media Centre | UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youths Summit
Meeting the Force Public Relations Officer at a time of national protest, the President of UNESCO REF finalised plans for the first UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youths Summit on International Youth Day.
ABUJA, Nigeria, August 2024. At a moment of heightened national tension, the President of the Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO (UNESCO REF), Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, paid a working visit to the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to finalise preparations for the first UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youths Summit. The Summit was scheduled for 12 August 2024, United Nations International Youth Day.
Global alignmentAlignement mondialThe global commitments this story advances. Open to see how.
- SDG16
SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (primary)
ProvisionTarget 16.7: responsive, inclusive and participatory decision-making
How the Summit respondsGives young people a direct voice with the security institutions
- SDG17
SDG 17, Partnerships
ProvisionTarget 17.17: public and civil society partnerships
How the Summit respondsA partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and UNESCO REF
- UNSC
UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015)
ProvisionYouth, Peace and Security: participation and partnerships
How the Summit respondsYouth engagement in national security dialogue
- IYD
United Nations International Youth Day
ProvisionAnnual observance on 12 August
How the Summit respondsSummit held on International Youth Day 2024
- AYC
African Youth Charter
ProvisionYouth participation in decision-making
How the Summit respondsStructured youth and police dialogue
The visit took place during the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024, when young Nigerians took to the streets in several States to voice grievances over economic hardship and governance. The protests brought the relationship between the nation’s youth and its security institutions into sharp public focus, and underscored the urgency of structured, good-faith dialogue between them.
Choosing dialogue over distance
Choisir le dialogue plutôt que la distance
Both parties agreed that the moment called for engagement rather than estrangement. The planned Summit would offer young people a direct and respectful channel to the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, and offer the Force an opportunity to listen, explain and commit.
“A national platform for reconciliation and partnership.”
Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President, UNESCO REF, describing the Summit
ACP Adejobi affirmed the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to partner UNESCO REF on youth-focused programmes, and welcomed the Summit as a contribution to public trust.
Purpose of the Summit
Objet du Sommet
The Summit was conceived around three objectives: to rebuild trust between the police and Nigerian youth, to advance civic education on rights, responsibilities and lawful engagement, and to create inclusive avenues through which young people could participate in shaping the policing of their communities.
What followed
La suite
The UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youths Summit convened as planned on 12 August 2024 at the Nigeria Police Force Resource Centre, Abuja. More than 400 delegates from the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory engaged the Inspector-General of Police and two federal Ministers, and the Summit closed with five recommendations for a new compact between youth and the security institutions.
ENDS
Notes to editorsNotes aux rédactions
About the Summit. The UNESCO REF Nigeria Police Youths Summit was held on 12 August 2024 at the Nigeria Police Force Resource Centre, Abuja, with more than 400 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
About UNESCO REF. The Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO (UNESCO REF) works to strengthen human and institutional capacity across Nigeria and Africa through education, research and professional development, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Media enquiries. UNESCO REF Media Centre, [email protected]