FG, UNICEF to train 20 Million Youth in Digital by 2030

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government has deepened its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to digitally empower no fewer than 20 million young Nigerians by the year 2030, reaffirming its commitment to youth-focused innovation and inclusive development.

The renewed commitment was confirmed during a high-level meeting in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima accepted to serve as Chairman of the Board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) — a joint public-private-youth platform dedicated to helping Nigerian youth transition from learning to earning through digital tools.

With the country’s youth population surging — currently averaging 17 years in age — the Vice President described the initiative as a lifeline to the nation’s future. “This platform opens doors of opportunity for our young people,” Shettima said. “Empowering them digitally is not just important; it is the only way forward.”

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, praised the Nigerian government for its leadership under President Tinubu, noting that the GenU platform is central to reducing youth unemployment, bridging digital gaps, and closing the education divide.

Also speaking, UNICEF Deputy Representative Dr. Rownak Khan highlighted the Nigerian GenU programme as one of the agency’s most successful models globally, pointing to its strong reach and impact since launch. “Few countries have recorded the level of youth engagement Nigeria has achieved through GenU 9JA,” she said.

The GenU 9JA programme is structured around three pillars: digital connectivity, learning-to-earning pathways, and youth empowerment, all designed to align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, confirmed that since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has already impacted over 10 million youth, with more than 1,500 job linkages created. She emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among partners to achieve the 20-million-youth target by 2030.

With strategic partnerships deepening and commitment from the highest levels of government, attention now turns to scaling implementation and mobilizing support across sectors as Nigeria pushes forward in its digital inclusion drive.

By Margret Oshinowo| June 3, 2025