The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to digital transformation and youth empowerment through a strategic partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The initiative aims to train 20 million Nigerian youths in digital skills by 2030 under the flagship program Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA).
The announcement was made in Abuja during a high-level meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Mohammed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. Also present were Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Deputy Representative, and Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office.
GenU 9JA: Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Earning
GenU 9JA is a public-private youth partnership platform focused on helping young Nigerians aged 10 to 24 transition from education to employment. The initiative aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment.
“It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). If we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” said VP Shettima.
Nigeria’s Youth Population: A Challenge and an Opportunity
With a population exceeding 230 million and an average age of 17, Nigeria faces a dual challenge and opportunity. The government is leveraging this demographic to build a future-ready workforce through sustainable, equitable digital training programs.
“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship based on respect and shared interests,” Shettima emphasized. “This digital initiative enables Nigerian youths to trade their skills globally, even from the comfort of their homes.”
UNICEF’s Commitment to Digital Inclusion in Nigeria
UNICEF representatives praised Nigeria’s commitment to youth-focused programs. Dr. Khan noted that GenU 9JA is one of the organization’s most successful global youth empowerment programs.
“We’ve seen incredible results from Nigeria. Few countries globally have achieved the level of youth impact GenU 9JA has recorded,” she said.
Key GenU 9JA Achievements (Since 2022):
- Over 10 million youths impacted
- 1,500 job linkages secured
- Focus on digital connectivity, learning-to-earning pathways, and youth engagement
Path Forward: Strengthening Coordination to Achieve 2030 Goals
UNICEF Lagos Chief Celine Lafoucriere stressed the importance of aligning GenU 9JA more closely with national digital policies to reach the 20 million youth training target by 2030.
“We need to strengthen coordination among partners to scale up impact and reach every eligible Nigerian youth with the skills and access they need,” Lafoucriere said.
Why This Matters: Digital Skills for Economic Empowerment
As the world increasingly shifts to a digital economy, this initiative positions Nigeria as a continental leader in youth-led innovation and digital workforce readiness. By 2030, 20 million digitally trained Nigerians will be better equipped to compete in the global job market, launch tech startups, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
