The Federal Government has officially institutionalized Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) under the Office of the Vice President, marking a major step forward in Nigeria’s youth empowerment and skills development drive.
Launched in 2021 by UNICEF, GenU 9JA has reached more than 11 million young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory — with a strong focus on empowering young women and marginalized communities through digital learning, employment pathways, and civic engagement.
In a release signed by communication officer for UNICEF Nigeria, Blessing Ejiofor, the announcement was made at the annual GenU Steering Committee meeting in Lagos, co-chaired by the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF Nigeria, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The meeting brought together top government officials, private sector partners, development agencies, and youth representatives to review progress and chart priorities for 2026 and beyond.
According to Rimamskeb Nuhu, Special Assistant to the President (Strategy and Policy, Workforce Development), the institutionalization aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI) — both central to President Tinubu’s drive to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
“The mission of GenU 9JA aligns with the government’s broader goal of equipping youth with the skills, access, and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital economy,” Nuhu said.
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, confirmed the institutionalization, noting that the initiative is on track to meet its 2030 target of supporting 20 million youth in their transition from learning to earning.
“With over 11 million young Nigerians impacted in just four years, this milestone reflects the government’s strong commitment to youth inclusion and development,” Saeed stated.
In 2025 alone, GenU 9JA deepened its impact through partnerships with major organizations such as Airtel, MTN, IHS Towers, Unilever, Microsoft, Jobberman, CISCO, Africa Re, and ATC Nigeria. These collaborations provided over 255,000 young people with mobile data access and digital learning resources.
The Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform connected 400,000 youth to training, jobs, and empowerment opportunities, while the Future-X Campus Ambassadors Program equipped over 20,000 young women with technical skills and provided 85,000 youth with mentorship.
Civic engagement also surged, with 665,000 young people involved in social impact activities and 300,000 mobilized for environmental action through Green Rising.
Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, highlighted the crucial role of young entrepreneurs in Africa’s transformation.
“The private sector, particularly youth-led businesses, are the engines of Africa’s growth. Through our partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, we’ll continue to provide mentorship, funding, and networks to empower young innovators,” she said.
Looking ahead, GenU 9JA plans to support 2.5 million youth in 2026 with jobs, skills, and entrepreneurship opportunities. The expansion plan includes scaling YOMA to reach 2 million users, broadening Green Rising to more universities, and funding youth-led start-ups.
For Shamiyah Umar, a member of UNICEF’s Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and founder of the We Are Special Foundation, the initiative represents more than empowerment — it’s a movement of inclusion.
“GenU 9JA gives us, young people with diverse abilities, a voice and the tools to lead change in our communities,” she said.
As GenU 9JA enters its next phase, partners reaffirmed their collective commitment to investing in young Nigerians — recognizing them as the driving force behind the nation’s future prosperity.
Generation Unlimited Nigeria is a UNICEF-led initiative launched in 2021 to support Nigerians aged 10–24 in transitioning from learning to earning. Co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF, the program aims to reach 20 million youth by 2030, fostering digital skills, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement through partnerships with over 40 organizations.
