In a landmark move to bolster youth development across the country, Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), UNICEF’s Public-Private-Youth-Partnership platform, has been officially institutionalized under the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria.
Launched in 2021, GenU 9JA has already impacted over 11 million young Nigerians in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a strong focus on young women and marginalized youth. The initiative has provided access to digital learning, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities, supporting youth in their transition from learning to earning.
National and Global Partners Converge in Lagos
At the 2025 Annual Steering Committee Meeting held in Lagos and co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF Nigeria, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, key stakeholders from government, private sector, development partners, and youth leadership came together to assess progress and set strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond.
2025 Impact Highlights
In 2025 alone, GenU 9JA:
- Partnered with Airtel, MTN, IHS Towers, Unilever, Microsoft, Jobberman, CISCO, AfricaRe, and ATC Nigeria, providing 255,000+ young people with mobile data and digital learning resources.
- Expanded the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), connecting 400,000+ youth to skills, livelihoods, and empowerment opportunities.
- Trained 20,000+ young women in technical and digital skills.
- Delivered mentorship to 85,000+ youth through the Future-X Campus Ambassadors Program.
- Engaged 665,000+ youth in social impact activities.
- Mobilized 300,000+ youth through the Green Rising environmental action programme.
Strategic Alignment with National Priorities
According to Rimamskeb Nuhu, Special Assistant to the President on Strategy and Policy (Workforce Development), “GenU 9JA aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI), both of which aim to open more pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship.”
UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, formally announced the institutionalization of the programme, highlighting its alignment with national objectives:
“With over 11 million young Nigerians impacted in four years, we are on track to reach our goal of 20 million by 2030. This reflects the government’s strong commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for the country’s youth.”
Private Sector Commitment
Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to the initiative:
“The private sector—and young entrepreneurs in particular—are the engines of Africa’s transformation. We will continue to provide youth with the mentorship, resources, and networks they need to build sustainable businesses through our partnership with GenU.”
Voices of Youth Leadership
Shamiyah Umar, a member of the UNICEF Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and founder of the We Are Special Foundation, shared her experience:
“GenU 9JA has allowed me to make a meaningful difference in my community. At GenU, young people are not just participants—we are leaders shaping the future we want, despite our diverse abilities.”
Looking Ahead: Ambitions for 2026
In the next phase, GenU 9JA aims to:
- Reach 2.5 million youth with jobs, training, and entrepreneurship support in 2026.
- Expand YOMA from 400,000 to 2 million users.
- Extend the Green Rising initiative to university campuses nationwide.
- Provide grants to youth-led startups, boosting innovation and job creation.
About Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA)
GenU 9JA is UNICEF’s national platform for youth aged 10–24, designed to support their transition from education to employment. Co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF Nigeria, and supported by over 40 partners, GenU 9JA seeks to empower 20 million Nigerian youth by 2030 through digital skills, education access, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
