UNIABUJA to offer youth development postgraduate degrees- VC
By Akpan Glory
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar, has pledged the university’s readiness to commence Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Masters, and Doctoral programmes in Youth Development Work.
Lar made this commitment during a high-level courtesy and advocacy visit by a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA) to the university on Wednesday.
She said this feat positions the institution as a pioneer in this vital sector.
The vice-chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to hosting a national stakeholders’ workshop as a springboard for formalising Youth Work education in Nigeria.
Speaking for the advocacy team, Despan Kwardem, Director of Education and Training at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, praised the Minister’s approval of both the proposed workshop and the wider push to professionalise youth development work in Nigeria.
He stated that this decisive action aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and improving service delivery to Nigerian youth.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA), Ben Duntoye, described the milestone as a transformative step towards equipping Youth Workers with globally relevant competencies and academic recognition.
He noted that it reinforces the nation’s commitment to inclusive development and sustainable youth empowerment.
“Driven by the need to build the capacity of Youth Workers, an agenda championed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), the programme aims to standardise and enhance the quality of Youth Work practice in Nigeria”.
Duntoye further expressed special appreciation to Prof. Theresa Abok-Akpan, Director of the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement, whose invaluable support contributed to the success of the visit.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA) is the coordinating body for youth development practioners and professionals in Nigeria established in 2019.
It aims to improve the status and standard of youth work by connecting, strengthening networks, and advocating for the professionalisation of youth work ultimately advancing the live of young people to achieve their set goals. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
Published By
- Agriculture and Environment Desk Controller/Website Content Manager.
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