U.S. Expands Efforts to Combat Unemployment, Boost Economy in Nigeria

The United States has deepened its strategic partnerships in Lagos State, focusing on reducing youth and women unemployment, promoting gender equality, expanding energy access, and driving economic growth.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy detailed the visit of Travis Adkins, President and CEO of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), to Lagos from August 18 to 21, 2024. During this visit, Adkins engaged with the Lagos State Government and various organizations to solidify these commitments.

Key discussions took place with Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, and leaders of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). These talks led to the renewal of the USADF-LSETF Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years. The renewed MoU pledges to empower 10,000 young Nigerians by equipping them with essential trade skills, thereby enhancing job creation and employment opportunities.

During his visit, Adkins also visited Reeddi Technologies Limited, a climate-tech company that won the 2020 USADF/All On off-grid energy challenge. He announced a new grant to further support the company’s innovative work, stating that the funding “will enhance the design, local assembly, and distribution of Reeddi’s energy solutions, benefiting small and medium-sized businesses and households in off-grid, energy-poor communities across Nigeria.”

In addition, Adkins attended a grant award ceremony at the Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, a leading vocational and entrepreneurship training institute founded by U.S. government exchange alumna Omowale Ogunrinde. The grant will enable the institute to offer a 12-week training program for 400 youths aged 18-35 in the hospitality and fashion sectors, aiming to address youth unemployment by improving job skills and employment outcomes.

Adkins also participated in the launch of the USADF and National Basketball Players Association-supported “What If Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative” basketball camp. The camp, led by Nigerian NBA player Precious Achiuwa, seeks to create opportunities for youth through sports and empower them by building skills, confidence, and resilience both on and off the court.

Throughout his four-day visit, Adkins emphasized USADF’s commitment to supporting African-led solutions to create pathways to prosperity across the continent. He highlighted that since 2001, USADF has “committed over $44 million in grants and supported over 480 projects across Nigeria.”

“Nigeria is USADF’s largest country program, and I am thrilled to visit Nigeria for the second time in 10 months. Our broad-based partnerships and investments in Nigeria reflect our dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting local businesses and agricultural enterprises, and providing sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities across the continent,” Adkins stated.

The USADF Nigeria Programme has, over the past two decades, focused on enhancing the growth of agricultural enterprises, providing off-grid energy solutions to underserved communities, and promoting youth and women’s employability and entrepreneurship, all of which contribute to economic growth, peace, and stability in the region.