UNICEF’s generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9J9JAhad now been institutionalized under the Office of the Vice President.
Launched in 2021 by UNICEF, GenU 9JA has reached more than 11 million young Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative has focused on empowering young women and marginalized communities by providing access to digital learning, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities.
In a statement signed by UNICEF Nigeria’s Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor, the announcement was made at the annual GenU Steering Committee meeting in Lagos. The event was co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF Nigeria, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, with participation from government officials, private sector partners, development agencies, and youth leaders to review progress and outline priorities for 2026 and beyond.
According to Rimamskeb Nuhu, Special Assistant to the President on Strategy and Policy (Workforce Development), the institutionalization of GenU 9JA aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI).
Both initiatives form part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expanding youth opportunities through digital inclusion and job creation.
“The mission of GenU 9JA aligns with the government’s broader goal of equipping youth with the skills, access, and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital economy,” Nuhu said.
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting young Nigerians, noting that the initiative is on track to meet its 2030 goal of helping 20 million youth transition from learning to earning.
“With over 11 million young Nigerians impacted in just four years, this milestone reflects the government’s strong commitment to youth inclusion and development,” Saeed stated.
In 2025 alone, GenU 9JA expanded its impact through collaborations with major organizations such as Airtel, MTN, IHS Towers, Unilever, Microsoft, Jobberman, CISCO, Africa Re, and ATC Nigeria. These partnerships provided more than 255,000 young people with mobile data access and digital learning resources.
The Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform connected over 400,000 young Nigerians to training, job placements, and empowerment opportunities. Additionally, the Future-X Campus Ambassadors Program trained more than 20,000 young women in technical and digital skills while pairing 85,000 youth with mentors across diverse sectors.
Civic participation also saw a boost, with over 665,000 youth taking part in social impact projects and 300,000 others mobilized for environmental action under the Green Rising initiative.
Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, emphasized the importance of the private sector in driving Africa’s development. “The private sector, particularly youth-led businesses, are the engines of Africa’s growth. Through our partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, we’ll continue to provide mentorship, funding, and networks to empower young innovators,” she said.
Looking ahead, GenU 9JA plans to support 2.5 million youth in 2026 through job creation, entrepreneurship training, and digital skills development. The expansion strategy includes scaling YOMA to reach two million users, expanding Green Rising to more universities, and offering grants to youth-led start-ups.
For Shamiyah Umar, a member of UNICEF’s Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and founder of the We Are Special Foundation, the initiative has been transformative. “GenU 9JA gives us, young people with diverse abilities, a voice and the tools to lead change in our communities,” she said.
As the initiative enters its next phase, partners have reaffirmed their shared commitment to investing in Nigeria’s youth — recognizing them as the driving force behind the nation’s social and economic future.
Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) is a UNICEF-led platform designed to help Nigerians aged 10–24 transition from learning to earning. Co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF, the initiative aims to reach 20 million youth by 2030 through digital education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement in partnership with more than 40 organizations nationwide.
