The Nigerian government has announced a landmark partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to train and empower 20 million young people with digital skills by the year 2030.
Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled the initiative during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by top United Nations officials including Mohammed Fall, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Rownak Khan, UNICEF Deputy Representative; and Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office.
Under this collaboration, Vice President Shettima will serve as the chair of the board for Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private partnership designed to equip young Nigerians aged 10 to 24 with digital tools and training that will help them transition from learning to earning.
“This platform opens up a world of opportunity for our young people,” Shettima said. “If we truly want to survive and thrive as a nation, we must go beyond talk and empower our youth through digital innovation. That is the only way forward.”
The Vice President stressed that Nigeria is not seeking charity but sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships built on respect and shared goals.
The initiative is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes youth employment, digital access, and skills development. UN Resident Coordinator Mohammed Fall praised the country’s commitment, describing GenU 9JA as a key driver of efforts to combat youth unemployment and bridge the digital divide.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills development, digital access, and job creation—are crucial. Generation Unlimited is playing a critical role in achieving these priorities,” Fall stated.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Rownak Khan highlighted Nigeria’s success in implementing GenU 9JA, calling it one of the agency’s most impactful youth empowerment models globally.
“Nigeria is showing the world what is possible. Few countries have achieved the scale of impact we’ve seen here,” she said.
Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office Chief, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration going forward. “To reach our goal of 20 million trained youth by 2030, we must enhance coordination among partners and ensure full alignment with national policies,” she noted.
The initiative marks a major stride in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and reflects a growing consensus that empowering youth with relevant digital skills is essential for inclusive economic growth and global competitiveness.
