Nigeria has strengthened its commitment to gender rights and youth development with the launch of a strategic capacity-building workshop by the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The workshop aims to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), while promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education among young people.
Held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the programme is designed to empower CLTC staff with the knowledge to challenge harmful social norms, address gender violence, and create awareness to young people under their training nationwide.
The UNFPA Team Leader, Hamira Welye, said the initiative was not about technical expertise but about creating widespread social awareness.
“It’s not to turn you into an expert; it’s a training rooted in awareness building. The two major objectives are to raise awareness about gender-based violence, family planning and social norms, and to determine the impact of these practices in our societies and what we can do about them,” Welye said.
He highlighted UNFPA’s commitment to safeguarding lives through three pillars of support—ensuring no woman dies during childbirth, preventing unwanted pregnancies through family planning, and enabling every youth to reach their full potential.
“We are very proud to be part of this programme and to partner with the Centre because we believe that social knowledge is the bedrock for the foundation of our society growing up at large,” Welye added.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by Youth Development Officer Patricia Echimina, welcomed the initiative as a timely intervention to tackle issues undermining youth well-being.
Olawande said; “This workshop is well thought of and timely, as it will equip CLTC staff with the right knowledge to step down to young people under their training.”
He further stated that the Ministry had secured approval from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to create a Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs Department to prioritise young people’s welfare.
The CLTC Director-General, Rinsola Abiola reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to building responsible and empathetic leaders while stressing the urgency of confronting harmful practices.
“Issues such as gender-based violence and harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation directly undermine the dignity, well-being, and potential of our citizens, particularly women and girls. Addressing them is therefore a legal and health imperative and a moral and leadership responsibility,” Abiola said.
The workshop is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s policy and grassroots interventions against GBV and FGM, reinforcing the country’s position as a continental leader in youth empowerment and gender equality.
PIAK