Rotimi Idris
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has hailed the launch of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat within the Office of the Vice President, describing it as a major step toward placing young people at the centre of governance and national development.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on April 1, 2026, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, said the formal inauguration of the Secretariat on March 31 signals the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young Nigerians through skills development, employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Saeed noted that the National Secretariat of Generation Unlimited Nigeria, also known as GenU 9JA, will serve as a strategic coordination hub bringing together government ministries, the private sector, development partners and youth groups to strengthen programmes and investments aimed at youth empowerment and digital inclusion.
According to him, the initiative has already made significant progress since its launch in 2021, impacting more than 11 million young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory by providing access to digital skills, employment pathways and civic engagement opportunities, particularly for young women and youth from marginalized communities.
He explained that the programme, co-led by UNICEF and the Office of the Vice President under a Public-Private-Youth Partnership model, aims to reach 20 million young people by 2030 through expanded digital education, employability training and entrepreneurship support.
The UNICEF country representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the initiative, stating that UNICEF will continue to provide technical support and expertise to scale learning-to-earning pathways, while working closely with government institutions, development partners and young Nigerians to ensure the Secretariat delivers measurable results for the country’s youth population.
The statement reads, “Placing Youths at the Heart of Governance: UNICEF Welcomes Launch of Generation Unlimited Nigeria’s National Secretariat at the Office of the Vice President.
“ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 – UNICEF Nigeria joins the Government and people of Nigeria in marking an important moment for the country’s young people. On 31 March 2026, the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat was formally launched and anchored within the Office of the Vice President a clear signal of Government ownership and commitment to placing young people at the very center of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
“This is a milestone UNICEF is proud to share as a committed partner in what is becoming one of the most ambitious efforts to connect millions of young people to learning, skills, and economic opportunities.
“Since its launch in 2021, Generation Unlimited Nigeria has impacted over 11 million young Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing access to digital skills, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities with particular emphasis on young women and youth from marginalized communities. With a target of reaching 20 million young people by 2030, the establishment of the National Secretariat marks the next chapter in this journey.
“Co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF under the Generation Unlimited Nigeria Public-Private-Youth Partnership (PPYP), the Secretariat will serve as a high-level coordination and systems-integration hub. It will bring together key line ministries, the private sector, development partners, and young people to strengthen policies, programmes, and investments in support of youth skilling, employment, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion -delivered at scale and with urgency.
“As co-lead of the Secretariat, UNICEF Nigeria reaffirms its full commitment to this partnership. UNICEF will continue to provide technical and systems expertise in designing and scaling learning-to-earning pathways – spanning digital skills, education, employability, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on evidence, data, and results. We look forward to working closely with the Office of the Vice President, line ministries, the private sector, and young Nigerians themselves to ensure the Secretariat delivers the change that Nigeria’s youth deserve.
“About GenU 9JA Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) is UNICEF’s youth platform launched in 2021 to support Nigerians aged 10–24 in transitioning from learning to earning. By 2030, it aims to reach 20 million youth with digital education, skills, and civic opportunities. Co-led by the Vice President and UNICEF, GenU 9JA has empowered over 11 million youth through partnerships with 40+ organizations nationwide”.
