Abubakar Siddiq Ibn Usman
In a major move to harness the power of Nigeria’s youth for national transformation, the Federal Government has renewed its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to train 20 million Nigerian young people in digital skills by 2030.
The initiative is being implemented through Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership platform aimed at equipping Nigerians aged 10 to 24 with the tools to transition “from learning to earning” in a digitally connected world.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who has formally accepted to chair the board of GenU 9JA, made the announcement on Monday during a high-level meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall; UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan; and Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Shettima described the platform as an essential tool for empowering Nigeria’s youth in a rapidly changing global economy. “It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA).
This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people,” he said. “Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward.”
The Vice President warned that Nigeria’s fast-growing population, now over 230 million with an average age of just 17, presents both a massive opportunity and a looming challenge.
He stressed that without intentional investment in youth skills development and digital access, the nation could face worsening unemployment and social instability.
“We are not looking for charity,” Shettima stated. “We want sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships—based on respect and shared interests. The digital space gives us the easiest window to get our youth engaged. They can now trade their skills in the global marketplace from the comfort of their homes.”
He also shared that many young Nigerians are already working remotely for global firms, highlighting the country’s potential to become a major player in the global digital economy.
The GenU 9JA initiative directly supports the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places digital innovation, youth inclusion, and economic transformation at the centre of policy.
UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Fall, applauded the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying Nigeria is positioning itself as a continental model for youth-focused development.
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“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” he said.
UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, echoed this sentiment, stating that GenU 9JA has become one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment platforms. “Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said.
Since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has already impacted over 10 million Nigerian youth, with more than 1,500 formal job placements made through the initiative. According to UNICEF Lagos Chief, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, the next phase will focus on scaling operations to reach the 2030 target, with stronger coordination among stakeholders and alignment with national education and labor policies.
The programme is built on three core pillars:
- Digital connectivity
- Pathways from learning to earning
- Youth engagement and empowerment
These components are designed to not only improve employability but also unlock entrepreneurial potential in a tech-driven world.
With Nigeria’s youth population projected to rise significantly in the coming decade, the GenU 9JA partnership is seen as a strategic lever for addressing unemployment, poverty, and digital exclusion—while positioning Nigeria as a global hub for tech-enabled human capital.
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Rabiu M. Hamza
Agency News
