By Victoria Onehi
The UNICEF Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) Public-Private-Youth-Partnership (PPYP) Platform has empowered over 9 million young Nigerians, surpassing the three-year target of 7.5 million. This milestone positions the initiative well on its journey to achieving its 2030 goal of connecting 20 million young people with opportunities for growth and impact.
UNICEF disclosed this in a statement after its annual Steering Committee meeting at the Airtel Headquarters in Lagos to celebrate three years of groundbreaking achievements.
Speaking at the event, CEO of Airtel Nigeria Carl Cruz, emphasised the transformative potential of digital access, citing the ongoing UNICEF-Airtel Reimagine Education Program, a part of the GenU 9JA initiative. “Airtel is proud to play a role in ensuring no young Nigerian is left behind in this digital age. We are encouraged by the success recorded so far among the 1,260 schools connected through our partnership,” he said.
CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)Somachi Chris-Asolukai, hghlighted the impact of youth entrepreneurship: “Young people are the engines of Africa’s economic transformation. Since 2015, the 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 in Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa, with green-focused training, mentorship, and seed capital to advance sustainable ventures.”
UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate reiterated the urgency for continued investment in youth: “The future of any nation lies in the hands of its children and youth. By providing skills, opportunities, and a platform for engagement, we are not only changing individual lives but also shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Some of GenU 9JA achievement over the past three years according to the statement are as follows:
“Digital Learning and Connectivity: Over 800,000 young Nigerians now have access to digital learning tools, such as the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) bridging educational gaps in underserved areas.
“Workplace Readiness: Over one million youth have gained employability skills and livelihood opportunities.
“Youth Engagement: Over 500,000 young people have participated in youth-led programmes, amplifying their voices as changemakers in their communities.”
Stakeholders called all for continued investment in Nigeria’s youth hence it urged the government, private sector, and civil society to further their support for young people, ensuring they are prepared for meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development.
In 2018, UNICEF launched the global Generation Unlimited movement to meet the urgent needs of young people between the ages of 10-24, expanding learning, skill development, employment, and engagement opportunities. The Nigeria chapter of Generation Unlimited – GenU 9JA – was launched in 2021.
Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) at UNICEF, is an ambitious multi-stakeholder Public-Private-Youth-Partnership (PPYP) platform that aims to prepare young people to transition from education and learning to productive work and active citizenship. It was formed by UNICEF, together with public and private sector partners, UN Agencies, civil society organizations, foundations, and young people as the Generation Unlimited (GenU) partnership in Nigeria.
