The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with its strategic partners, has successfully empowered nearly 9 million Nigerian youths through the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) initiative.
A press release by the Annual Steering Committee Meeting of GenU 9JA Public-Private-Youth-Partnership (PPYP) held in Lagos on Tuesday disclosed this while celebrating its successes and setting targets for the future.
According to the release, the UNICEF initiative had empowered about 9 million young Nigerians, surpassing the three-year target of 7.5 million set when the Programme first took off.
The release added that, with the milestones recorded, the GenU 9JA initiative was poised to achieve its 2030 goal of linking 20 million young Nigerians to opportunities for growth and impact in Connectivity and Digital Learning, Workplace Readiness, and Youth Engagement.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, while speaking at the event, reiterated the need for continued investment in young Nigerians, noting that Nigerian youths hold the key to unlocking a better future for the country.
He said: “The future of any nation lies in the hands of its children and youth. By providing skills, opportunities, and a platform for engagement, we are not only changing individual lives but also shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, while speaking on the contribution of his company, cited the ongoing UNICEF-Airtel Re-imagine Education Program, a part of the GenU 9JA initiative.
He emphasized the transformative potential of digital access and also argued in favour of carrying all young Nigerians along on the journey to self-reliance.
“Airtel is proud to play a role in ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind in this digital age. We are encouraged by the success recorded so far among the 1,260 schools connected through our partnership,“ he said.
In the area of business development, Somachi Chris-Asoluka of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), highlighted the impact of youth entrepreneurship on the nation’s economy.
He identified small and medium-scale enterprises developed by young people as the catalyst for economic growth and development.
He said: “Young people are the engines of Africa’s economic transformation. Since 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered over 20,000 young entrepreneurs, creating more than 400,000 jobs.
“Our BeGreen Africa initiative will now support over 400 young entrepreneurs in Nigeria with green-focused training, mentorship, and seed capital to advance sustainable ventures,” he assured.
The UNICEF GenU 9JA Initiative is a platform that opens a new vista of opportunities through innovative partnerships for young Nigerians in digital learning, skills development, and youth participation.
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