Idealab Agency Partners FG, World Bank, UN to Boost Youth Empowerment, Agricultural Exports

By our Reporter

Nigeria’s Idealab Agency is leading an ambitious initiative in collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank Group, and the United Nations to advance youth empowerment, job creation, and agricultural commodity exports.

The programme, built on technology, teamwork, and global partnerships, aims to position Nigerians for greater participation in international trade while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Announcing the plan, Idealab’s Director General/CEO, Mr. Emmanuel Aondoakaa, said the strategy is anchored on the principle that lasting achievements require collective effort. Citing leadership expert John C. Maxwell’s “law of significance” — “one is too small a number to achieve greatness” — and former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson’s view that most problems are solved together, he stressed the importance of collaboration.

Aondoakaa explained that technology will be a key driver for connecting people and accelerating results, with the agency’s export drive and innovation hub relying on coordinated teams of service providers. Preparations are underway for Nigerian delegates to participate in several high-level global engagements.

From Monday, August 11, 2025, Idealab will engage ministers — particularly in the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, and Youth Development — as well as ambassadors of Switzerland and the United States, and the protocol department of the National Assembly to facilitate visa processing and secure international funding support.

The agency has been nominated to co-host and nominate participants from government and NGOs for upcoming forums. Its calendar includes:

World Bank Group Civil Society Organizations Forum – September 16–17, 2025, Washington DC

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and United Nations – October 13–17, 2025, Washington DC, with sessions on agriculture value chains

World Food Prize Foundation Investors Meetings – later in October, Iowa

UN SDG Awards – Rome

UN Office on Youth Assembly hosted by the FAO – Rome

According to Aondoakaa, these events will provide direct access to global funding, training, and investment opportunities. Successful applications to the UN Alliance of Civilizations Youth Solidarity Fund could secure up to $25,000 (₦38 million) per approved proposal before the August 15 deadline. Similarly, contracts with the World Food Prize Foundation could generate $50,000 (₦76 million) for agricultural investment promotion in Nigeria.

These opportunities will be reinforced by UN training under the “Idea to Execution” framework, with venture capital investors already showing interest in supporting digital skills and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youth.

He emphasised that the initiative is not just about global exposure but about creating lasting impact at home — fostering jobs, building digital capacity, and enabling financial empowerment.

“Let’s make it happen together now,” he urged, calling for stakeholder support to meet deadlines and maximise the benefits of these partnerships.