Nigeria celebrates as GenU 9JA equips 800,000 youths…connects communities and 820 schools… 

The Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has commended the initiative called “UNICEF GenU 9JA” which embodies the state commitment to youth empowerment. 

” By equipping our youth, we’re investing in Nigeria’s future, fostering a generation poised for sustainable development and economic prosperity,” Ogunlende said

GenU 9JA is a cornerstone in addressing the digital and skills gaps, as well as amplifying the voices of millions of young people in supporting their transition from learning to earning. ” With the current education crisis in Nigeria, this partnership has markedly enhanced digital access, learning, and soft and job-related skills for Nigerian children, adolescents, and youth.

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria and host of the GenU platform emphasized the urgency of such initiatives, stating,  ” With a significant portion of the Nigerian population lacking access to quality services, a public-private-youth partnership platform such as GenU 9JA is critical for our nation’s future. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration between public and private sectors as well as youth as generational agents of change ”.

Stakeholders rose from a meeting put together to assess the progress made in 2023 by the GenU 9JA public-private-youth partnership platform, describing it as a reflective and strategic exercise aimed at further empowering Nigerian youth. 

”  The public-private partnership remains committed to creating a nurturing environment for every young Nigerian to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their society.

Iruka Ndubuizu, Director of Partnerships at Tony Elumelu Foundation, highlighted the importance of partnerships for youth development, “The private sector’s involvement in this platform is aimed at providing holistic support to young people and nurturing a resilient economy fueled by our most valuable asset – our Youth”.

The Key Achievements of GenU Naija in 2023 include:

” Connectivity and Digital Learning exceeded targets, with the initiative with private sector contributions, Ndibuizu noted, benefitted over 2 million young people through connected underserved communities and 820 schools and boosted learning through platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport (nearly 750,000 users) and the Youth Agency Marketplace, YOMA.

” Workplace Readiness initiative has equipped over 800,000 young Nigerians with essential skills and livelihood opportunities, with platforms like YOMA linking users to diverse learning and engagement opportunities provided by private sector partners,” Ndibuizu said

” She also identified Youth Engagement of UNICEF’s U-Report reaching nearly 5.5 million young people and youth have been benefiting from volunteering experiences, in support of campaigns, thereby enhancing their work experience whilst driving change for children in Nigeria. ” Young volunteers contributed to registering the birth of nearly 8 million children during the recent e-birth registration campaign across the country,”

As GenU 9JA looks to the future, today’s meeting was a reflective and strategic session aimed at further empowering Nigerian youth. The public-private partnership remains committed to creating a nurturing environment for every young Nigerian to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their society.

Those present at the high-level meeting were notable companies like IHS Towers, Microsoft, Airtel, Unilever, ATC, Jobberman, Cisco, and MTN along with government, youth, development partners, and UNICEF officials. All members of GenU 9JA.