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UNIDO, partners to provide over 6,000 jobs for youths in Tunisia.
THE United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Development Cooperation and the HP Foundation on Tuesday inaugurated the second phase of UNIDO’s youth employment project. “Mashrou3i” (“My project” in Arabic) aims to create more than 6,000 jobs for young people in Tunisia over the next five years.
Currently, in the governorates of Central, Southern and Northern Tunisia, around 40 per cent of young graduates are unable to find work. This situation is attributed to a range of factors, including the public sector’s limited capacity to employ more young men and women, a lack of diversity in the private sector, and a mismatch between the skills required by the private sector and those offered by graduates.
The Mashrou3i project has helped to create more than 1,250 jobs to date, including by helping more than 160 start-up businesses mainly in the governorates of Kairouan, Kasserine, Kef and Sidi Bouzid. During the second phase of this public-private partnership, the project will be expanded to 14 vulnerable governorates of Tunisia and US$14 million will be invested to provide direct support to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through training courses, business coaching and technical assistance in Beja, Gafsa, Gabès, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kébili, Kef, Medenine, Sidi Bouzid, Siliana, Tataouine, Tozeur and Zaghouan. It will also help enhance the knowledge and capacity of local business support and higher educational institutions.
“There is an urgent need for innovative solutions that provide access to quality education and enable economic opportunity for everyone everywhere”.
“This initiative will provide young men and women in Tunisia’s most vulnerable governorates with skills required to be entrepreneurs and offer business coaching services to help them start their businesses or to be able to be competitive on the job market. We expect to reach more than 25,000 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and create at least 6,000 additional jobs in Tunisia within the next five years,” said Glenn Rogers, Senior Development Advisor for USAID in Tunisia.
Philippe Scholtès, Managing Director at UNIDO, who attended the launch, added: “Unemployment among Tunisia’s educated youth remains a major challenge. Through such public-private partnerships we can pool and leverage our expertise and resources and support Tunisia on its path of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. By working together, we can ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Flavio Lavisolo, Head of the Italian Development Cooperation in Tunisia, added: “Our efforts aim to stimulate private and public investment, and help companies increase their competitiveness and overcome constraints to growth. This, in return, will secure new employment opportunities for people living in disadvantaged governorates, mainly for young women and men. The project is in line with the new priorities of the Italian Cooperation in Tunisia, which focus on regional development and job creation.”
Mashrou3i will leverage the HP Foundation’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) Program, which provides free online IT and business skills training for people all over the world. HP LIFE will help young Tunisian entrepreneurs develop the knowledge and skills they need to start, grow and run successful businesses.
“The Mashrou3i project is a scalable social innovation model with proven results,” said Jihed Jahdour, Managing Director, HP Inc. Tunisia. “There is an urgent need for innovative solutions that provide access to quality education and enable economic opportunity for everyone everywhere, wherever they are in the world. The second phase of the project signals the continuation of our successful partnership to foster employment opportunities for young men and women in Tunisia.”
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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