United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, UNESCO contributes to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the science, culture, communication and information. This it does as a laboratory of ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues as well as serving as a clearinghouse - for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge - while helping Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in diverse fields.

1. UNESCO Nigeria engages its National Partners in implementing three core initiatives in addition to its strategic programmes on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Education Sector:
   • Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE),
   • Teacher Training Initiative for Sub-Saharan Africa (TTISSA)
   • Education Sector Response to HIV/AIDS (EDUCAIDS)
2. Promotion of research in higher education through the UNESCO Chairs in Adult and Distance Education.

To promote Science and Technology in Nigeria, UNESCO undertakes:

• Nigeria-UNESCO Science & Technology Education Project for Primary and Secondary Schools.
• Reform of Science, Technology and Innovation System in Nigeria
• Support to traditional approaches for conservation of bio-diversity in Nigeria's National Parks and World Heritage Sites
• Water assessment programme

• Intercultural dialogue
• Revision of the national Culture Policy
• Protection and promotion of World Heritage sites (Natural: Osun Oshogbo Groove and Cultural: Sukur landscape)
• Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (like Ifa Divination)
• Promotion of cultural industries in rural areas
• Protection of indigenous languages in Nigeria
• Mapping and documentation of slave routes