International Day of the Midwife 2024 (5 May) Statement from UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem

In Abuja's Karonmajiji community, a group of seventeen women and one man with disabilities celebrated a significant achievement as they graduated from the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) Skills Acquisition Programme. Over the past five months, these individuals have dedicated themselves to learning new skills, setting the stage for a brighter future.

During a recent visit to Abuja, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), underscored Nigeria's importance as an economic hub in Africa with a youthful population ripe for demographic dividends. Meeting with Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Kanem emphasized the significance of investing in young people for societal progress.