Nigeria Launches Major Fund for Women and Youth

Nigeria is about to open doors for millions of women and young people seeking a path to economic independence and education.

Vice President Kashim Shettima will launch two major initiatives on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The first is a learning fund and empowerment platform designed specifically for Nigerian children, women, and youth.

The second program, called Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) Nigeria, will become the country's flagship platform for advancing economic empowerment. It combines direct investment, performance tracking, and shared responsibility between government and private partners.

Nigeria earned the distinction of becoming the first African nation to implement the African Union's WYFEI program. After proving the model works in Nigeria, the initiative will expand to other African countries.

The launch brings together the Office of the Vice President, Sterling One Foundation, the United Nations System, and partners from the Africa Social Impact Summit. This collaboration pools international expertise, local knowledge, and funding into one coordinated effort.

The Ripple Effect

The timing matters because Nigeria's economic future depends heavily on its young population. When women and youth gain access to education, capital, and business support, entire families and communities benefit from the economic lift.

Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, said the initiative represents a shift from simply talking about solutions to actually delivering them. The platform will align policy, innovation, and financing frameworks that help successful programs scale up quickly.

Vice President Shettima emphasized that Nigeria's prosperity hinges on mobilizing private companies, development partners, and public institutions around shared goals. The new platform creates a structure for these groups to work together effectively instead of operating in isolation.

The compact-based delivery system means all parties commit to specific goals and track results together. This accountability model helps ensure funds reach the people who need them and programs actually deliver measurable outcomes.

Millions of Nigerians will gain access to opportunities that seemed out of reach just months ago.