President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday played host to His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the State House in Abuja, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to youth empowerment and dynamic economic reforms. The meeting, attended by senior Nigerian officials and the British High Commissioner, Sir Richard Montgomery, marked a significant diplomatic engagement as part of Prince Edward’s ongoing efforts to broaden the reach of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Nigeria.
Welcoming the British royal, President Tinubu outlined the core agenda of his administration, focusing on equipping Nigerian youth with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. “Our goal is to use education to drive down poverty,” the President declared, underscoring the central role of reform in strengthening education and economic institutions in Nigeria.
President Tinubu continued, “It is the third time Africa is hosting the G-20, and the central issue is our youth. We need to strengthen the economy for them. The reforms are about growth and prosperity for the nation.” He stressed the necessity of building efficient borders across Africa to facilitate trade and foster opportunities for young people, rather than creating barriers to progress.
Responding to the President’s remarks, Prince Edward praised Nigeria’s efforts toward reform and confirmed that upcoming ceremonies in Lagos would honour young Nigerians “pursuing their passions, developing relevant skills, and contributing to the nation’s growth and development.”
He emphasized the growing momentum of youth participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, noting that Nigeria had recorded a 37 per cent increase in program participation, cementing its status as one of the fastest-growing countries within the initiative.
The meeting concluded with mutual affirmations of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, focusing on youth leadership, education, and development. Official photographs from the State House captured moments of warm exchange between President Tinubu and Prince Edward throughout the closed-door audience.
As Prince Edward continues his week-long engagements in Lagos and Abuja, including youth leadership programmes and strategic sessions with government officials and international educators, both parties reiterated the importance of empowering young people as a cornerstone for national and continental progress.
