W’Bank President to visit Nigeria on youth, women empowerment

The President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, is expected to visit Nigeria on a three-day global tour, from August 3, 2023.

However, Banga visitation is described as the centre of a mission to write a new playbook, for the 78-year-old institution. And the President will be focusing his time on identifying opportunities to create jobs for young people and women in Nigeria.

This was made known to the public through a press release on Tuesday by the World Bank’s Senior External Affairs Officer for Nigeria, Mansir Nasir.

The statement reads, “World Bank President Ajay Banga, will begin a three-day visit to Nigeria on August 3, 2023. This is the next step of a global tour.”

“Banga will focus his time in Nigeria on identifying opportunities to create jobs for young people and women, addressing energy needs and renewable energy, and further exploring the potential for digitisation.”

According to the statement, he was expected to visit the mini-grid solar power plant, which was financed by the bank and also visit the President, Bola Tinubu, and his Vice, Kashim Shettima.

“As part of these efforts, he will visit a World Bank-financed mini-grid power plant that is providing solar energy to an entire community and a woman-owned business that has generated more than 1,500 service-sector jobs for young Nigerians.

“While in Nigeria, Banga will meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. In addition, the World Bank will convene discussions with representatives from the private sector and civil society.”