The United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Federal Government have launched the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat, describing it as a major step toward placing young people at the centre of governance and national development.
The Secretariat, officially launched on March 31 and housed within the Office of the Vice President, is expected to drive large-scale coordination of youth-focused initiatives, including skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, said the move signals strong government commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth population and expanding opportunities for their future.
Wafaa, noted that since its launch in 2021, GenU 9JA has already impacted more than 11 million young Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory by providing access to digital skills, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities particularly targeting young women and marginalized groups.
“With a goal of reaching 20 million young people by 2030, the establishment of the National Secretariat marks a critical next phase in scaling impact,” Saeed said.
The initiative operates under a Public-Private-Youth Partnership model and is co-led by UNICEF and the Office of the Vice President.
The newly established Secretariat will serve as a central hub to align policies, programmes, and investments by bringing together government ministries, private sector players, development partners, and youth representatives.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the initiative through technical expertise and systems development, particularly in building “learning-to-earning” pathways that integrate education, digital skills, and entrepreneurship.
Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a UNICEF-backed platform, focuses on supporting young Nigerians aged 10 to 24 in transitioning from education into employment. Since inception, it has partnered with over 40 organisations nationwide to expand opportunities for youth.
Stakeholders say the Secretariat’s creation is expected to accelerate efforts to deliver inclusive and scalable solutions that address youth unemployment and digital access gaps across the country.
