Presidency Endorses UNICEF's GenU 9JA in Landmark Youth Development Push

In a strategic move to reshape Nigeria’s youth development landscape, the Federal Government has formally institutionalised UNICEF's Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) under the Office of the Vice President. This bold endorsement marks a turning point in national efforts to empower young Nigerians and scale transformative, youth-focused interventions across the country.

GenU 9JA, UNICEF’s flagship Public-Private-Youth-Partnership platform, has already reached over 11 million young people since its launch in 2021. Operating in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the initiative has prioritised access for young women and marginalised groups, delivering critical digital learning, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities.

The announcement was made during the annual Steering Committee meeting in Lagos, co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF Nigeria, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from government, private sector, development agencies, and youth-led organisations to evaluate progress and chart an ambitious course for 2026 and beyond.

In 2025 alone, GenU 9JA deepened its impact through strategic alliances with Airtel, MTN, IHS Towers, Unilever, Microsoft, Jobberman, CISCO, AfricaRe, and ATC Nigeria. These partnerships enabled over 255,000 young Nigerians to access mobile data and digital learning tools, an essential step in closing the digital divide and democratising opportunity.

The Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) programme connected more than 400,000 youth to skills development and livelihood opportunities. Among them, 20,000 young women gained technical and digital skills, while over 85,000 received mentorship through the Future-X Campus Ambassadors Programme.

Civic engagement soared, with more than 665,000 youth participating in social impact initiatives. Environmental action also surged, as over 300,000 youth were mobilised through the Green Rising initiative, demonstrating GenU 9JA’s holistic approach to youth empowerment. 

Rimamskeb Nuhu, Special Assistant to the President on Strategy and Policy (Workforce Development), affirmed GenU 9JA’s alignment with the Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI). “The aim is to open more pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship,” he stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth.

UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms Wafaa Saeed, confirmed the institutionalisation of GenU 9JA under the Office of the Vice President. “With over 11 million young Nigerians impacted in four years, we are on track to achieve our goal of supporting 20 million young people in their transition from learning to earning by 2030,” she said. “This step reflects the government’s strong commitment to creating opportunities for young people across the country.

Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, added, “The private sector, particularly young entrepreneurs, are the engines of Africa’s transformation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation will continue to provide Africa’s youth with the mentorship, resources, and networks required to build sustainable businesses through our partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited.”

Concerning its future plan, GenU 9JA aims to support 2.5 million youth with jobs, training, and entrepreneurship in 2026. Ambitious targets include scaling YOMA from 400,000 to 2 million users, expanding Green Rising to universities, and offering grants to youth-led start-ups.

Shamiyah Umar, member of UNICEF’s Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and founder of the We Are Special Foundation, declared, “At GenU 9JA, young people are not just participants; we are leaders shaping the future we want, despite our diverse abilities.”

As GenU 9JA enters its next phase, partners reaffirmed their commitment to collective action and investment in Nigeria’s youth, recognising them as the cornerstone of the nation’s social and economic transformation.