The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have renewed a strategic partnership to train 20 million young Nigerians in digital skills by 2030, aiming to unlock the economic potential of the country’s growing youth population.
The initiative is anchored on Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership designed to support Nigerians aged 10 to 24 in transitioning from learning to earning through digital inclusion.
Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, announced the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to the programme during a meeting with senior UNICEF officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The officials include Mohamed Fall, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Deputy Representative; and Cristian Lafourcheur, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with an estimated population exceeding 230 million and a median age of 17, faces both opportunity and challenge in its youthful demographic, the Vice President notes.
“It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” Shettima says.
The GenU 9JA platform, jointly implemented by UNICEF and key stakeholders, aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with an estimated population exceeding 230 million and a median age of 17, faces both opportunity and challenge in its youthful demographic, the Vice President notes.
“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship, one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative. Beyond leadership, in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them; we have to empower them,” Shettima says.
The renewed GenU 9JA partnership responds to rising demand for scalable, youth-focused solutions to tackle unemployment and bridge skills gaps in Africa’s largest economy. Through digital training, public-private collaboration, and structured programmes, the initiative seeks to equip millions of young Nigerians with skills to participate effectively in the digital economy.
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