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| Group photo at the launch of UNICEF Generation Unlimited Nigeria Secretariat at the Office of the Vice President, State House. |
UNICEF, in a pact with the Federal Government, has inaugurated the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) Secretariat at the Vice President’s Office, signalling a landmark move that underscores Nigeria’s strategic commitment to advancing its youth development policy.
The
Generation Unlimited Nigeria Public‑Private‑Youth
Partnership (PPYP), co‑led by UNICEF Nigeria and the Office
of the Vice President, positions youth development as a central element of
national policy, according to a statement by Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF
Communication Officer.
The
Secretariat, now part of the Office of the Vice President, will serve as a
coordination hub for programmes that connect young people to education, skills,
and employment opportunities.
It aims to
integrate efforts across government ministries, the private sector, development
partners, and youth organisations to strengthen policies and investments in
skilling, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
Since its
inception in 2021, Generation Unlimited Nigeria has reached more than 11
million young people across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Beneficiaries have gained access to digital skills training, employment
pathways, and civic engagement opportunities, with particular focus on young
women and marginalised communities. The programme aims to reach 20 million
young Nigerians by 2030.
The
establishment of the National Secretariat marks what officials describe as a
new phase in the initiative. By situating the Secretariat within the Vice
President’s Office, the Government signals its commitment to embedding youth
priorities within the national development agenda. The United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria has also pledged continued technical support,
including expertise in designing and scaling “learning‑to‑earning” pathways that span education, employability, and
entrepreneurship.
Speaking at
the launch, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative Wafaa Saeed reaffirmed the
organisation’s role as co‑lead of the Secretariat. She noted
that UNICEF would maintain its focus on evidence, data, and results to ensure
that programmes deliver measurable impact for Nigeria’s youth.
The
Secretariat is expected to operate as a systems‑integration
platform, coordinating across sectors to deliver large‑scale initiatives with urgency.
Stakeholders
have emphasised that the effort is
designed not only to expand opportunities but also to ensure that young
Nigerians are actively involved in shaping the policies and programmes that
affect their future.
