Nigeria‘s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu has called on global leaders, particularly First Ladies and partners in government, to take decisive steps in shaping a more inclusive and empowered future for young people, rather than waiting for circumstances to unfold.
Speaking on Day 2 of the Third Annual Global First Partners Academy in New York, United States, Senator Tinubu in her address titled: “First Partners’ Role in the World: Preparing the Youth for the Future,” underscored the urgent need for collaboration to prepare the younger generation for a rapidly changing global landscape.
“Across continents, we face a common challenge of a rapidly evolving global landscape,” she said. “Whether in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, the future is being shaped by technology, innovation, climate change, migration, and new economic paradigms.”
In a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, Senator Tinubu argued that First Ladies and global partners must see themselves as “non-partisan influencers, public advocates, and maternal figures,” bearing a moral obligation to lead transformative conversations and interventions.
“We cannot wait for the future to happen; we must shape it now,” she said, quoting Abraham Lincoln’s famous words: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Senator Tinubu, a lifelong educator, also emphasised on the power of mental capacity building, reshaping mindsets, and nurturing self-belief among young people.
She praised the resilience and creativity of Nigerian youth and reiterated the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to backing their aspirations through strategic initiatives.
According to her, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, as well as her own Renewed Hope Initiative, were anchored on creating opportunities for youth engagement through education, mentorship, technology, and civic inclusion.
“Preparing the youth for the future also means meeting them where they are—in the digital space, in creative industries, in technology, and in governance,” she said. “We adults have a lot of catching up to do.”
She called for more scholarships, internships and mentorship programmes, as well as platforms for civic participation to support young people in shaping their societies.
The First Lady also emphasised the importance of partnerships, urging her counterparts to use their influence and convening power to tackle systemic challenges affecting children, women, and young people. “No problem is insurmountable if we do the needful,” she said.
The session featured contributions from other serving and former First Ladies, university scholars, and policy experts, who shared tools for constructive dialogue, social cohesion, and inclusive development.
Panel discussions also explored the intersection of Artificial Intelligence with women’s health, food security, and youth development, highlighting how technology can be harnessed to address structural inequalities and unlock new possibilities.
The Global First Partners Academy, now in its third year, continues to serve as a platform for First Ladies and global partners to exchange ideas and develop collaborative solutions to global challenges.
