NUC’s Ribadu Bags Prestigious Award, Calls for Continental Youth Partnership

Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of NUC, receives the Thomas Sankara Leadership Award and calls for stronger youth collaboration across Africa for development.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, has called for stronger collaboration among African youths to address the continent’s shared development challenges after receiving the Thomas Sankara Pan-African Selfless Leadership Award for Excellence.

Ribadu made the call on Tuesday while receiving the award from the Youth Partnership for Africa’s Development (YPAD) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The NUC boss said Africa’s development challenges cut across national boundaries and stressed that meaningful progress would require young people across the continent to work towards common goals.

He also commended YPAD for its interventions in youth development, particularly its efforts to tackle drug abuse and promote entrepreneurship through capacity-building programmes.

Presenting the award, YPAD President, Henry Nwankwo, said Ribadu was selected in recognition of his contributions to education, public service, and national development.

According to him, the NUC Executive Secretary’s leadership record and commitment to service make him a worthy example for young Africans.

Ribadu dedicated the recognition to the National Universities Commission, the Nigerian university system, and the country’s youth population, noting that the honour would encourage him to remain committed to excellence and service.