The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through digital skills development, announcing a partnership with UNICEF aimed at training and equipping 20 million youths by the year 2030.
The initiative was unveiled during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and key UN officials, including Mohammed Fall, UNICEF’s resident and humanitarian coordinator; Rownak Khan, UNICEF deputy representative; and Celine Lafoucriere, head of UNICEF’s Lagos field office.
Vice President Shettima announced that he will chair the board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a collaborative platform designed to help Nigerians aged 10 to 24 transition from learning to earning through access to digital opportunities. He emphasized that the program presents a vital avenue for youth empowerment and economic participation and highlighted the importance of building sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships based on respect and shared interests, rather than charity.
UNICEF’s representatives praised Nigeria’s leadership and the impact of GenU 9JA. Mohammed Fall described the initiative as pivotal in tackling youth unemployment and digital exclusion, aligning with Nigeria’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda. Rownak Khan pointed out that Nigeria’s GenU 9JA program is among UNICEF’s most successful youth empowerment models globally, citing remarkable results and high youth impact.
Celine Lafoucriere underscored the need for strengthened coordination and closer alignment with national policies to achieve the ambitious target of reaching 20 million youths by 2030. Overall, the partnership aims to harness digital skills as a driver for youth inclusion, economic opportunity, and Nigeria’s broader development goals.
