The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has described the institutionalization of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) under the Office of the Vice President as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s commitment to youth empowerment and development.
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the initiative represents a bold investment in the future of young Nigerians.
“With over 11 million young Nigerians impacted in four years, we are on track to support 20 million young people in their transition from learning to earning by 2030,” she said. “This step reflects the government’s strong commitment to creating opportunities for young people.”
GenU 9JA, launched in 2021 as UNICEF’s youth development platform, has already reached more than 11 million young people across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a particular focus on young women and marginalized groups.
The program, according to the organization, provides access to digital learning, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and civic engagement.
Highlighting the role of the private sector in accelerating the initiative’s impact, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship.
“Young entrepreneurs are the engines of Africa’s transformation. Through our partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, we will continue to provide mentorship, resources, and networks to help young people build sustainable businesses,” she stated.
According to UNICEF, the next phase of GenU 9JA will focus on supporting 2.5 million young people in 2026 through job creation, training, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Plans actualize this, they said. include scaling up the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform from 400,000 to 2 million users, expanding the Green Rising climate action program to universities, and providing grants to youth-led startups.
Shamiyah Umar, a member of UNICEF’s Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and founder of the We Are Special Foundation, praised the program’s inclusive approach.
“At GenU 9JA, young people are not just participants; we are leaders shaping the future we want, regardless of our diverse abilities,” she said.
Development partners and private sector actors reaffirmed their commitment to investing in young people through GenU 9JA, recognizing them as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth and social transformation.
Since its inception, GenU 9JA, as gathered by WorldClass247News, has served as a platform for collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector, creating pathways for millions of Nigerian youths to gain skills, employment, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national development.