The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for a united global resolve to support youth development and shape the future through inclusive and strategic initiatives.
She made the call while addressing participants on the second day of the Third Annual Global First Partners Academy, taking place in New York.
Speaking on the theme, “First Partners’ Role in the World: Preparing the Youth for the Future,” she highlighted the shared global challenges shaping today’s world—including technology, innovation, climate change, migration, and shifting economic dynamics.
“Whether in Lagos, London or Los Angeles, we face a common challenge in a rapidly evolving global landscape,” she said.
“As First Partners, we are non-partisan influencers, public advocates and maternal figures in our national and global communities. With this role comes both opportunity and moral obligation to lead.”
She stressed the importance of nurturing young people through mental capacity building, mindset transformation and self-belief, citing her background in education.
“Our youth are creative, innovative, hardworking and resilient. We must engage them positively and create a conducive environment for them to thrive.”
The First Lady said the first step towards a sustainable future is recognising the potential of young people and backing their aspirations with action—a principle that underpins both President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and her Renewed Hope Initiative.
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Quoting Abraham Lincoln, she added: “The best way to predict the future is to create it. This principle continues to guide my every decision.”
She also emphasised the need to engage young people on the platforms they occupy—particularly in digital spaces, technology, the creative economy, and conversations around climate action and governance.
“We have to build bridges to engage our youth through scholarships, internships, mentorships, and programmes that foster civic participation and public service,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu urged fellow First Ladies to leverage their positions to forge partnerships that offer holistic solutions to issues affecting women, children and youths globally.
Day two of the Academy also featured presentations from serving and former First Ladies, university academics, and subject experts, focusing on conflict resolution, social cohesion, and the roles of Artificial Intelligence in women’s health, youth futures, and food security.
The Global First Partners Academy is a platform for dialogue and collaboration among First Ladies and other influential partners across continents, aimed at addressing global challenges and fostering inclusive development.
