Arash Irantalab

Counselor and Head of Cooperation - Canada in Nigeria / Conseiller et Chef de la Coopération - Canada au Nigéria @ #GAC. Views are my own, RTs ≠ Endorsement.

[UNDP Nigeria @UNDPNigeria]

What does Nigeria’s credit rating have to do with your everyday life?

It can influence how much the country pays to borrow and the resources available to invest in health, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

In 90 seconds, hear @NigeriaGov and development partners explain why this matters for people.

Under Nigeria’s #INFF, @FinMinNigeria is strengthening the country’s credit ratings ecosystem through @UNDPAfrica’s Africa Credit Ratings Initiative, with support from @EUinNigeria and the Government of Canada through @CanHCNigeria

[Canada in Nigeria @CanHCNigeria]

Healthy diets, resilient food systems, and economic opportunity go hand in hand. 🇨🇦 was pleased to convene partners in Abuja for a forward-looking discussion on innovative and scalable solutions that can help strengthen Nigeria's food systems & improve nutrition outcomes for all.

[Elsie Attafuah @ElsieAttafuah]

Nigeria’s transformation will depend not only on national ambition, but on the capacity of states to translate it into inclusive growth and better lives.

This week, the NDPG engaged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on state-level transformation and how dev't partners can align more effectively with state priorities. Reflections from @UN_Nigeria HC/RC @MohamedFall on elections also underscored the governance dimension; that lasting progress requires trusted institutions and processes that strengthen legitimacy.

This is the value of the NDPG; bringing together the @UN_Nigeria system and partners, including @EUinNigeria, @gatesfoundation, @CanHCNigeria, @GERinNigeria, @UKinNigeria, @EmbEspAbuja, @NorAmbNigeria, @WBG_Nigeria, @giz_gmbh, @AfDB_Group and more, to build greater coherence around Nigeria’s development priorities.

Grateful to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, UN Nigeria HC/RC and all NDPG partners for advancing better alignment, stronger state capacity and development that delivers for people.

[Development Canada @CanadaDev]

No one chooses to go hungry.

Canada’s investments in nutrition are helping build a healthier, more resilient future abroad and at home.

[Air Canada @AirCanada]

Pouvez-vous deviner nos nouvelles destinations? 👀

Cinq nouvelles destinations s’ajouteront à notre réseau l’été prochain. Repérez les indices pour deviner lesquelles! Revenez le 3 septembre pour découvrir où nous nous envolerons! En savoir plus: https://t.co/3Le2CUBLoq

[Air Canada @AirCanada]

Can you guess where we’re headed? 👀

Five new destinations are taking off next summer. See if you can spot the clues! Think you’ve figured it out? Share your guesses in the comments. Check back on Sept. 3rd to see we're headed.

Learn more: https://t.co/kB2amdQZkU

[INEC Nigeria @inecnigeria]

INEC BUILDS ON OSUN EXPERIENCE AS CANADA PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR STRONGER #NigeriaDecides2027 ELECTORAL SYSTEM.

The Canadian High Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic and electoral processes ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Chargé d’Affaires of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. David Sproule, stated this when he led a delegation of the Canadian High Commission on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

Mr. Sproule said Canada remained committed to supporting countries seeking to strengthen democratic processes and ensure that elections are free, fair and enjoy the confidence and legitimacy of their citizens. He expressed particular interest in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 General Election and pledged continued Canadian engagement in areas including electoral participation, women’s inclusion, public awareness, technical assistance and election observation.

He said Canada would continue to provide support and share relevant information and expertise that could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes, adding that the two countries shared the common objective of ensuring credible and legitimate elections.

Welcoming the delegation, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, described Nigeria-Canada relations as a longstanding partnership anchored on mutual respect, democratic values, the rule of law and good governance.

Prof. Amupitan expressed appreciation for Canada’s sustained support for electoral governance, civic education, institutional strengthening and gender inclusion in Nigeria. He reaffirmed that INEC’s mandate remained to deliver free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that accurately reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.

The Chairman said the Commission had continued to use recent off-cycle elections as proving grounds for electoral reforms and operational improvements, citing the Anambra State Governorship Election, the FCT Area Council elections and the Ekiti State Governorship Election as part of the exercises through which INEC had tested and enhanced its operational frameworks.

He also highlighted the recently concluded Osun State Governorship Election, held on 15 August 2026, as a significant benchmark in electoral administration. According to him, 3,556 of the 3,763 Polling Units, representing 94.5 per cent, opened for accreditation and voting by 8:30 a.m., alongside optimal BVAS performance, seamless result uploads on the IReV portal and proactive crisis management.

“We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,” the Chairman stated.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 General Election began on 19 August 2026. He added that INEC had also participated in the signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns by presidential candidates on 18 August 2026, under the auspices of the National Peace Committee.

He identified five key areas of strategic focus for the Commission ahead of the 2027 elections: consolidating technological gains; deepening electoral inclusivity; strengthening institutional capacity and technical support; countering misinformation and safeguarding electoral integrity; and conducting a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November 2026.

The Chairman said the mock accreditation would subject the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other electoral equipment to rigorous field testing to assess the Commission’s readiness and address potential operational challenges ahead of the General Election.

[Canada in Nigeria @CanHCNigeria]

Humanitarian action saves lives, protects dignity and provides critical support to people affected by crises.

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, Canada is proud to support humanitarian work and partners responding to urgent needs across Nigeria. 🩵

#ActForHumanity

[Federal Ministry of Health, NIGERIA @Fmohnigeria]

Media Brief
FG, Canada Align to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Workforce
Abuja, Nigeria | 05 August 2026

The Federal Government has advanced strategic health cooperation with the Government of Canada, with renewed focus on health workforce development, sustainable financing, digital innovation and resilient health systems, following a high-level meeting between the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Mr. David Sproule, Chargé d’Affaires at the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria.

The meeting underscored the growing partnership between both countries and a shared commitment to placing Nigerians and the health workforce at the centre of bilateral collaboration. Prof. Pate outlined the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms to build a more resilient and accountable health system, noting Nigeria’s commitment to increasing domestic health financing, strengthening national systems and reducing long-term dependence on external assistance. He said the country’s health transformation agenda is anchored on national ownership, accountability and strategic investments that improve health outcomes for Nigerians.

He also highlighted the deliberate expansion of medical, nursing and allied health training institutions to meet the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals at home and abroad. Recognising the longstanding professional ties between both countries, Prof. Pate emphasised the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships that support ethical health worker mobility while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to train, retain and continuously develop its health workforce. Both sides also explored opportunities for collaboration in pre-service education, simulation laboratories, digital health, professional certification and the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and biologicals as part of Nigeria’s drive towards greater health security and self-reliance.

“Nigeria is building a stronger and more self-reliant health system anchored on national ownership, strategic investments and partnerships that strengthen our institutions. We welcome collaborations that expand opportunities for our health workforce, build local capacity and deliver better health outcomes for all Nigerians,” Prof. Pate said.

Mr. Sproule commended Nigeria’s bold health sector reforms and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting the country’s health priorities through partnerships that promote national ownership, sustainable development and stronger institutions. He also expressed Canada’s interest in expanding cooperation across health systems strengthening, human resources for health, digital innovation and primary healthcare.

Both sides agreed to deepen the longstanding Nigeria-Canada health partnership by exploring practical areas of collaboration in sustainable health financing, workforce development, local capacity building, innovation and health security to advance better health outcomes for Nigerians.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to fostering strategic international partnerships that align with Nigeria’s health priorities and accelerate the delivery of quality, equitable and sustainable healthcare for all Nigerians.

𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊 𝚎𝚗𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜, 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎
𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚝:
𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚌 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜
𝙾𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚢
𝙵𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚂𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚏𝚊𝚛𝚎
𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜@𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑.𝚐𝚘𝚟.𝚗𝚐
𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑.𝚐𝚘𝚟.𝚗𝚐

[Canada in Nigeria @CanHCNigeria]

Canada's Secretary of State (International Development), the Honourable Randeep Sarai, joined @UNICEF_Nigeria's #YesGirlPodcast to discuss youth leadership, opportunity and the power of girl’s voices.

Watch the full episode: https://t.co/ZGys4NRSU9

#CanadaInNigeria

[Canada au Nigéria @HCCanNigeria]

Le secrétaire d'État du Canada (Développement international), l'honorable Randeep Sarai, a participé au balado #YesGirlPodcast de @UNICEF_Nigeria pour échanger sur le leadership des jeunes,

[Plan International Nigeria @Plan_Nigeria]

At the Plan International Nigeria Philanthropy Side Event at #ASIS2026, the conversation focused on closing Nigeria’s financing gap for girls through stronger private-sector and philanthropic investment.

The session spotlighted Plan International Nigeria’s impact across education, adolescent health, protection and youth development, alongside practical investment opportunities such as Edukits, Dignity Kits, Tech Kits, the Accelerated Basic Education Programme and the Girls Hub.

With 5.4 million girls reached in the past year and an ambition to impact 20 million girls by 2028, the call was clear: investing in girls is an investment in stronger communities, resilient economies and a more equal future.

The opportunity is before us to move from intention to investment. Through bold partnerships and sustained financing, we can scale proven solutions and ensure that more girls have the support, skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

#PlanInternationalNigeria #StandWithGirls #FutureGirlsWant #ASIS2026 #InvestInGirls #PhilanthropyForImpact #FinancingForDevelopment #UntilWeAreAllEqual

[주나이지리아 대한민국대사관🇰🇷 Korean Embassy in Nigeria @KorEmbNigeria]

Amb. Jeong attended a breakfast dialogue hosted by UNDP Nigeria. With UNDP Africa Regional Director joining, participants exchanged views on Africa’s role in the evolving global order.

[Plan International Nigeria @Plan_Nigeria]

For girls with disabilities, menstrual health conversations must be accessible, practical, and stigma-free.

Last month, through Plan Nigeria’s Aspire project, funded by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, we engaged students of the Special Education Centre, Bauchi, in an inclusive menstrual health and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights session focused on dignity, confidence, and informed choices.

The session brought together students, school leaders, health professionals, gender equality and inclusion facilitators, sign language interpreters, government representatives, NAWOJ, disability advocates, and media partners to challenge harmful myths, strengthen knowledge on puberty and menstrual hygiene, and create a safe space for open conversations.

Students also participated in a practical reusable sanitary pad-making session using affordable, locally available materials, supporting both confidence and sustainable menstrual hygiene management.

As part of the engagement, 35 female students and 9 female stakeholders received sanitary kits containing hygiene and menstrual care items.

Beyond the distribution of kits, the activity reinforced a bigger message: menstrual health must be inclusive by design. Every girl deserves the information, support, facilities, and enabling environment to manage her period safely, confidently, and without shame.

#MenstrualHealth #GirlsRights #SRHR #InclusiveEducation #AspireProject #PlanInternationalNigeria #EndPeriodStigma #FutureGirlsWant #StandWithGirls #UntilWeAreAllEqual

[Plan International Nigeria @Plan_Nigeria]

Effective social and behaviour change communication is strongest when messages are shaped through listening, collaboration, and community feedback.

Last week in Bauchi State, through Plan International Nigeria’s Aspire project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), stakeholders from government ministries, agencies, technical institutions, and local communities came together to review, validate, and pilot-test Information, Education and Communication materials on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and the prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The process strengthened both the English and Hausa versions of the materials, ensuring that the messages are technically accurate, culturally relevant, gender-responsive, accessible, and aligned with national and state priorities.

The engagement concluded with community pilot testing in Jama’are Local Government Area, where participants assessed the clarity, relevance, and acceptability of the messages. Their feedback reaffirmed the importance of developing communication tools with communities, not just for them.

At Plan International Nigeria, we remain committed to advancing inclusive, community-centred approaches that strengthen access to trusted information, promote informed decision-making, support protection, and contribute to safer, healthier communities for girls, young people, women, and families.

#StandWithGirls #FutureGirlsWant #UntilWeAreAllEqual #PlanInternationalNigeria #SRHR #EndSGBV #CommunityEngagement #SocialBehaviourChange #BauchiState

[Canada in Nigeria @CanHCNigeria]

At the Trade and Development Reception in Lagos, Hon. Randeep Sarai announced over $30M in new Canadian support for health, gender equality, humanitarian assistance, climate action and inclusive growth across West and Central Africa.

#CanadaInNigeria

[Development Canada @CanadaDev]

30 years of saving lives 💙
RUTF has helped millions of severely malnourished children recover.

Simple. Safe. Affordable.
Canada is proud to support @UNICEF to deliver it to those who need it most.
This small sachet still has a big impact 🌍✨

#Nutrition #GlobalHealth

[DNN AFRICA @DNNAfricanews]

Empowering the digital generation! UNDP and the Government of Canada have joined forces to boost tech opportunities for Nigerian youth. By investing in education and digital tools, we’re opening doors to the global tech economy.

Read more: https://t.co/2zpMWSnnTk

@CANHCNigeria @CanadaDev @UnilagNigeria @UNDPNigeria @UNDP @timbuktooafrica @randeepssarai @ElsieAttafuah

#TechForYouth #UNDPNigeria #CanadaNigeria #DigitalSkills #Innovation #YouthEmpowerment

[Development Canada @CanadaDev]

Canada has teamed up with @GenUnlimited_ to help young women in #Nigeria gain job skills. This effort is part of the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership. Removing barriers can boost economic growth and build partnerships for global stability. #WorkLifeReady #GenU

[UNICEF Nigeria @UNICEF_Nigeria]

Last week, @randeepssarai visited the All Women Tech Hub at YABATECH, Lagos, and met girls in the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership programme.
Girls who never owned a laptop now fix laptops for others.
That is @CanHCNigeria investment made real.