Nigeria, Sweden Deepen Ties with Bold Push for Youth, Education

ADVERTISEMENT

By Gloria Ikibah

A renewed chapter in Nigeria–Sweden relations has commenced, centered on initiatives that prioritise young people, broaden access to education, and stimulate development at the community level.

This initiative was birthed as the 2025 Nigeria-Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group Summit officially opened at Nigeria’s National Assembly on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme for the summit titled: “Strengthening Bilateral Relationship through Education, Trade, Investment, and Political Diplomacy”, assembled a diverse mix of lawmakers, foreign envoys, policy experts, and civic advocates. The gathering set the tone for a pragmatic approach to diplomacy that places people—not just policies—at the heart of international cooperation.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Eileen Cheng, renowned strategist and Co-founder of the African University Incubator Ecosystem—revealed upcoming international scholarship programs tailored for Nigerian students.

She also emphasised the urgency of forging global alliances geared toward empowering emerging generations.

“Those who invest in the youth own the future,” Cheng said to resounding applause.

Chairman of the Nigeria-Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group, Rep. Abubakar Sarki Dahiru, said the summit would serve as a springboard for deeper collaboration across sectors including education, agriculture, health, energy, and youth development.

“Today marks more than a diplomatic milestone; it signifies the beginning of a collaborative journey,” he said.

Rep. Dahiru affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnerships that are equitable, impactful, and people-focused.

“We want Nigeria to be a lighthouse, guiding sustainable and meaningful international collaboration,” he said.

Dr. Grace Adayilo, the first female Head of Civil Service in the FCT, said diplomacy must begin with local communities, as she called for the empowerment of grassroots civil servants.

“Diplomacy must begin at the grassroots level,” she said.

The summit also featured several institutional announcements. The Bruno Morales Institute of European Studies at Nasarawa State University unveiled plans for postgraduate exchange programmes with Swedish universities, while Minnesota State University in the U.S. announced a three-country research partnership on climate resilience and entrepreneurship.

In support of Nigerian students abroad, Registrar if the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi said the agency now equipped to conduct standardized exams for Nigerian students living in Sweden.

“Every Nigerian child deserves equal access to quality education, wherever they are,” he said.

UNESCO Nigeria’s Oyebukola Tomori Adeleye commended Sweden’s role in the “Our Rights, Our Life, Our Future” initiative, which has helped keep thousands of girls in school through training and advocacy.

Tech innovation also featured prominently. EdTech entrepreneur Ismail Eleburuike, founder of SchoolTry, highlighted the platform’s growth to five countries and over 500 schools, while clean-tech advocate Olabode Sowunmi encouraged youth to engage Sweden as a strategic partner in the green economy.

Cultural diplomacy was represented through the unveiling of the Nigeria-Sweden Fusion Cookbook, curated by the chef at the Swedish Ambassador’s residence, symbolizing shared experiences and culinary collaboration.

HRM Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi called for immediate action to invest in inclusive education and youth development.

“Nigeria stands at the threshold of a demographic boom. Inclusive learning is the key to unlocking its full potential,” she said.