Nigeria

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What we do

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

UNDP has been supporting the Government and people of Nigeria in addressing development challenges, through strengthening and building institutions that promote inclusive sustainable development and democratic governance. We work work an array of partners as we work together to support the Nigeria meet her Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promise.

Latest News

News

At UNGA 81, Northwest Governors Commit to a Shared Agenda for Peace, Resilience and Investment

The seven Governors of Northwest Nigeria committed to advancing a shared regional agenda for peace, resilience and economic opportunity on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. At a special event convened by the Northwest Governors’ Forum (NWGF) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), they called for stronger international partnerships, development finance and responsible investment to translate the Northwest Peace, Security and Development Framework (2026–2030) into action. The high-level event in New York brought together the Governors, United Nations officials under the leadership of Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, development partners, international financial institutions, private-sector leaders, philanthropies and members of the diplomatic community. Speakers and participants concurred on a common proposition: lasting peace requires investment in the conditions that allow people, communities and economies to thrive.

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Stories
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Retaining Value, Accelerating Growth: How Nigeria’s University Innovation Pods Are Shaping Nigeria’s Next-Generation Tech Ecosystem

Across Nigeria’s universities, a new generation of young innovators is turning homegrown ideas into practical, scalable solutions. Through the University Innovation Pods, established under UNDP Africa timbuktoo initiative, students and researchers are gaining access to the infrastructure, technology, mentorship and industry expertise. These resources are enabling them to develop, test and commercialise their ideas- while retaining talent and value within Nigeria.

The Innovation Network is being developed as a national network rather than a collection of separate projects. Each pod is linked to the economic strengths and opportunities of its location. In Lagos, the AI UniPod at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) drives research and development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications across sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and urban security. It went live in April 2026.

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Featured Posts

Stories
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SMEDAN, Korea, and UNDP Break Ground for Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship to Drive Youth Innovation and Inclusive Economic Growth

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today broke ground for the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE), a new entrepreneurship and innovation facility designed to strengthen opportunities for young entrepreneurs, women, start-ups, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Abuja and across the Northern region.

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Press Release
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Financing Nigeria's Future: How the Integrated National Financing Framework is Driving Sustainable Development

Implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union and other core partners, the INFF serves as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to financing development.

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Stories
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Mastercard Foundation and UNDP Launch Applications for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is pleased to announce the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, cohort 2 call for applications. Young Africa Innovates is a flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme designed to identify, incubate, and scale high-potential innovations developed by young Nigerians.

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Stories
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The Power of Partnerships in Restoring Peace and Stability in Conflict-Affected Communities

For a town like Gwoza, stabilization is far more than just reconstructing physical infrastructure. In reality, it is about restoring the foundational systems that allow this fractured group to function, heal and thrive once again. In Gwoza, this means addressing the exact vulnerabilities left by the insurgency: restoring public infrastructure, reviving the local economy, and strengthening governance.

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Press Release
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Katsina State Government and UNDP Commission Mass Housing Project, Climate Peace Hub, and Mini Grid Energy Project to Advance Stabilization, Peace, and Sustainable Development.

The commissioned interventions include the construction of 152 housing units for internally displaced persons, the establishment of a Climate Peace Hub, the rehabilitation of a cattle market to support local economic revitalization and cross-border trade, and the deployment of a solar mini-grid energy system to expand access to reliable and clean energy.

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Press Release
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Nigeria Flags Off AI UniPod at University of Lagos as Nationwide UniPod Rollout Begins

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), today officially flagged off the national rollout of University Innovation Pods (UniPods) with the launch of the flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI) UniPod at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

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Press Release
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Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme Strengthens Employer-Fellow Connections at Nasarawa Engagement

The engagement brought together Host Organisations and NJFP Fellows in a practical, solutions-oriented session. This session was designed to strengthen employer participation, address workforce needs, and accelerate fellowship placements across Nasarawa State.

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News
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Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme Secures Private Sector Commitments to Strengthen National Workforce at Employers Forum

The Forum, themed, “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” brought together forward-thinking employers to engage directly with pre-screened NJFP Fellows and Alumni, explore talent opportunities, and commit to hosting fellows in the current programme cycle – NJFP 2.0.

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Press Release
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Nigerian Women and Youth Entrepreneurs Connect to Continental Growth Opportunities at BIASHARA AFRIKA 2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria supported a dynamic delegation of women and youth-led enterprises to participate in BIASHARA AFRIKA 2026 in Lomé, Togo, as part of its broader commitment to advancing inclusive trade and entrepreneurship under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Press Release
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Nigeria Activates Mining Technology UniPod at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as National UniPod Rollout Sustains Momentum

With the NSUK Mining Technology UniPod now live, Nigeria's university-led innovation infrastructure is now in the heart of its most mineral-rich region, turning decades of geological endowment into a platform for enterprise, research, and economic transformation.

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Press Release
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Transitioning From Grid Reliance to Green Resilience in Nigeria

Together as one United Nations family in Abuja, under the leadership of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator – Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative – Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah with support from the UNDP Smart Facilities team, is greening the UN House in Abuja while advancing Nigeria’s broader energy and climate ambitions.

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Stories
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Empowering Women, Restoring Livelihoods, Strengthening Communities: Through the UNDP’s Prevention Facility Project

Through the Prevention Facility Project, those who once faced loss, insecurity and limited options are reclaiming their lives with resilience, determination and renewed purpose. With access to practical skills, financial support and trusted guidance, they are restoring dignity to their homes, rebuilding livelihoods, and emerging as pillars of strength within their communities.

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Stories
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Women at the Center of Development: How Women’s Groups Are Contributing to Post-Conflict Recovery

Across Northeast Nigeria, women are stepping into leadership roles through the Women’s Subgroup under the Community Stabilization Committee(CSC), a structure established by the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) programme.

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Stories
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Livelihood Support as one of the Foundations of Sustainable Peace

The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Project, supported by UNDP and funded by the Government of Germany, champions an integrated approach to sustainable peace. This approach simultaneously addresses economic recovery, social cohesion, strengthened local governance, and community-based resilience.

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Blog
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REA, GEF and UNDP Commission Solar Mini-Grid in Namu, Plateau State to Power Agricultural Value Chains and Empower Rural Communities

The mini-grid will provide clean, reliable electricity to over 1,555 direct beneficiaries, including 180 women rice processors, 15 male equipment operators, and 100 households, powering schools, health centres, and small businesses. It is designed to catalyze agricultural productivity by supporting cassava grating, rice milling, and other value-added processes.

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Press Release
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TETFund and UNDP Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Innovation and Digital Transformation Across Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions

Through this MoU, UNDP and TETFund reaffirm their joint commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation landscape, expanding digital capabilities, and driving high-impact, sustainable development outcomes across the country.

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Stories
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SchoolPay’s transformational journey through the timbuktoo Fintech Accelerator

Since joining the timbuktoo Fintech Accelerator, SchoolPay has experienced remarkable growth. Before the accelerator programme, SchoolPay were operating primarily in Cameroon, serving 2,000 schools.

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Country Programme Document for Nigeria (2023-2027)

The UNDP CPD for 2023 to 2027 contributes to the United Nations development system (UNDS) overall objective in the UNDSCF that promotes inclusive human-rights based and gender-sensitive development in Nigeria for the acceleration and achievement of the 2030 Agenda and African Union Agenda 2063.

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Recent news

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Press Releases
At UNGA 81, Northwest Governors Commit to a Shared Agenda for Peace, Resilience and Investment

The seven Governors of Northwest Nigeria committed to advancing a shared regional agenda for peace, resilience and economic opportunity on the margins of the…

Read more
Diverse group in hard hats and robes participates in a groundbreaking ceremony with shovels.
Press Releases
SMEDAN, Korea, and UNDP Break Ground for Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship to Drive Youth Innovation and Inclusive Economic Growth

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and…

Read more

About Nigeria

216.7

Million

Population

169/189

Ranking

in the Human Development Index (2020)

42.6

Percent

Poverty rate

3.61

Percent

Women in Parliament

56.7

Percent

Infant mortality rate

42.5

Percent

Youth unemployment

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