Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has successfully empowered close to nine million Nigerian youths, equipping them with critical digital skills, livelihood pathways, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
This ambitious Public-Private-Youth Partnership (PPYP) initiative focuses on facilitating the seamless transition of young people from education to productive employment and active citizenship.
Celebrating 3 Years of Milestones
At the annual Steering Committee meeting in Lagos, UNICEF Nigeria Representative Cristian Munduate highlighted GenU 9JA’s remarkable achievements over the past three years. The meeting brought together key partners, including representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, UN organizations, and Nigerian youth, to review progress and set ambitious targets for the future.
Munduate emphasized GenU 9JA’s commitment to transforming the lives of Nigerian youths by offering opportunities for digital learning, skills development, and meaningful engagement. She revealed that since its inception, the initiative has empowered nearly nine million young Nigerians, surpassing its three-year goal of 7.5 million beneficiaries.
Transformative Achievements Across Key Pillars
The Steering Committee reviewed progress across GenU 9JA’s three strategic pillars:
- Connectivity and Digital Learning: More than 800,000 young Nigerians have gained access to digital learning resources, such as the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), which aims to close educational gaps in underserved communities.
- Workplace Readiness: Over one million youths have acquired essential employability skills, opening doors to livelihood opportunities and productive careers.
- Youth Engagement: More than 500,000 young people have participated in youth-led programs, empowering them to act as changemakers within their communities.
The Power of Collaboration: Partners Driving Success
The committee’s meeting also featured updates from key partners on their contributions:
- Carl Cruz, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, spoke on the impact of the ongoing UNICEF-Airtel Reimagine Education Programme. “Airtel is proud to play a role in ensuring no young Nigerian is left behind in this digital era. We are encouraged by the success among the 1,260 schools connected through our partnership,” Cruz stated.
- Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), highlighted the role of youth entrepreneurship in driving Africa’s economic transformation. She shared, “Since 2015, our TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered over 20,000 young entrepreneurs, creating more than 400,000 jobs. Our BeGreen Africa initiative will now support over 400 young entrepreneurs across five African countries with green-focused training, mentorship, and seed funding to drive sustainable ventures.”
Investing in Nigeria’s Youth for a Brighter Future
Munduate reiterated the importance of continuous investment in Nigeria’s youth, stating, “The future of any nation lies in the hands of its children and youth. By providing skills, opportunities, and platforms for engagement, we are not only changing individual lives but also shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.”
A Call to Action for Stakeholders
The Steering Committee concluded with a call for increased support from the government, private sector, and civil society. There was a collective push for stakeholders to expand their investment in young Nigerians, ensuring they are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development and economic growth.
With ambitious goals set for 2030, including connecting 20 million Nigerian youths to life-changing opportunities, GenU 9JA continues to drive impactful change, empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.