United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Strategic Partnership: Emphasizing Development-Focused Leadership and Innovation

The National Leadership Conference (NLC) is proud to announce a high-impact strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria at the just concluded National Leadership Conference 2025. This collaboration defines a shared commitment to developing leadership capital, promoting inclusive economic growth, and driving sustainable development across the nation.

The partnership with the UNDP, a leading global development organization, brings a focus on poverty eradication, reducing inequalities, and building resilience to the NLC platform, complementing the recently announced alliance with the European Union. By joining forces, the NLC and the UNDP created a formidable alliance to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transformative leadership.

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, the UNDP helps nations to build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet. In Nigeria, the UNDP is a trusted partner for development, working across governance, inclusive growth, and climate resilience to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms. Elsie Attafuah Delivers Key Insights

The Conference was honored to host the graced presence of Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Nigeria. Ms. Attafuah’s participation signifies the high-level commitment of the UNDP to this partnership and the importance of the conference’s theme in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Ms. Attafuah, a visionary leader with over two decades of global experience in programme development, strategic management, and partnerships brokering, delivered a compelling keynote address. Her extensive background spans sectors including climate change, green growth, good governance, youth, and gender empowerment. Her expertise in international financing mechanisms and her strategic approach to organizational development make her a powerful voice on how to transition development ideas into impactful policy and action.

UNDP’s Contribution to Leadership and the Nigerian Ecosystem

The UNDP’s engagement with the NLC is intrinsically linked to its core mandate of supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organisation’s contribution is centered on building a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address complex, interconnected development challenges.

The UNDP drives thought leadership through initiatives such as the biennial Human Development Report and its focus on structural transformation, which advocates for building a culture of innovation, catalysing the green economy, and strengthening good governance. Through programmes like the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), the UNDP supports:

• Youth Empowerment and Innovation: By investing in innovation hubs and skills development, the UNDP is creating a national pipeline of talent and empowering young Nigerians to become entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, thereby transforming the innovation ecosystem.
• Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: The UNDP supports efforts to build legitimate institutions, promote transparency, and enhance leadership skills across public and private sectors to ensure development is inclusive and effective.
• Economic Diversification and Green Growth: The organisation is instrumental in supporting the transition to a sustainable, diversified economy, leveraging clean energy and other green solutions as a catalyst for job creation and resilience.

In line with the conference’s focus on leadership capital, Ms. Attafuah spoke on the UNDP’s global and local experience – on how bold, visionary, and service-oriented leadership is essential for structural transformation in Nigeria. Her address highlighted the need for leaders who can promote a culture of cooperation, bridge societal divides, and champion human-centered development, making her insights indispensable for all conference delegates.

This partnership with the UNDP solidifies the National Leadership Conference 2025 as the premier platform for promoting transformative leadership and charting a course for a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Nigeria.