Global Alliance: Five Nations Partner With Nigeria On Youth Empowerment And Stability

A coalition of countries under the MIKTA bloc—Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, and Australia—has expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in peace-building, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.

In a joint statement released in Abuja and signed by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Korea on behalf of the ambassadors and envoys of the five nations, the group emphasised that though geographically distant from Nigeria, they share common values and aspirations with the country. They affirmed their belief in Nigeria’s potential and pledged to work together to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties.

According to the statement, Nigeria is fast emerging as a key player on the global stage, with its youthful population, economic dynamism, and growing diplomatic influence making it a vital partner in shaping solutions to international challenges. The MIKTA envoys highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal contributions to regional and global peace efforts, citing its leadership within ECOWAS and longstanding involvement in conflict resolution initiatives.

They also stressed their commitment to supporting inclusive peace processes, particularly the meaningful participation of women, in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. The Republic of Korea, serving as MIKTA chair in 2025, reaffirmed its backing of UN Peacebuilding Fund projects and other global initiatives promoting stability.

The group noted that Nigeria’s pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns closely with MIKTA’s agenda, especially in areas such as energy access, agriculture, healthcare, and urban infrastructure. They pointed to ongoing collaborative projects in solar energy, smart agriculture, and maternal health, while pledging to expand green technology and smart city innovations to deliver tangible results.

On youth empowerment, the envoys stressed that with more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, investing in young people is both an opportunity and a necessity. They cited the MIKTA Youth Dialogue, held in Seoul in July 2025, as a platform where young voices helped shape conversations on peace, artificial intelligence, and inclusive growth, signalling more opportunities for collaboration.

The ambassadors also confirmed their participation in the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG), scheduled for October 8 in Abuja, where they will engage Nigerian stakeholders in discussions aimed at building sustainable and inclusive solutions for the future.

Reaffirming their shared vision, the statement concluded: “Our countries may be far apart on the map, but we are close in purpose. We believe in Nigeria’s future, and we are committed to working together to help shape it.”