The United Nations Children’s Fund has welcomed the establishment of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat, describing it as a major step toward placing young people at the centre of governance and national development.
The Secretariat, which was formally launched on March 31, 2026, is domiciled in the Office of the Vice President Nigeria, signalling strong government commitment to youth-focused policies and programmes.
In a press statement issued in Abuja, the UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, said the initiative marks a significant milestone in efforts to connect millions of Nigerian youths to education, skills acquisition, and economic opportunities.
She noted that since its inception in 2021, Generation Unlimited Nigeria has impacted more than 11 million young people across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing access to digital skills, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities, particularly for young women and those from underserved communities.
According to her, the programme aims to reach 20 million youths by 2030, with the new Secretariat expected to drive the next phase of expansion.
Saeed explained that the Secretariat, co-led by UNICEF and the Office of the Vice President under a Public-Private-Youth Partnership framework, would serve as a coordination hub, bringing together government ministries, private sector players, development partners, and young people.
She added that the platform would help strengthen policies, programmes, and investments targeted at youth empowerment in areas such as skills development, entrepreneurship, employment, and digital inclusion.
The UNICEF Country Representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the initiative through technical expertise and systems development, aimed at scaling learning-to-earning pathways for Nigerian youths.
She expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would ensure the delivery of meaningful and measurable outcomes for young people across the country.