Nigeria’s government has joined with UNICEF to train 20 million youth in digital skills by 2030 in a move to create digital economy leaders.
This ambitious initiative was announced Tuesday during a high-level meeting at the State House in Abuja, marking a renewed commitment to youth empowerment and digital innovation.
Nigeria and UNICEF launch massive digital skills training initiative
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accepted to chair the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) board, described this partnership as a game-changer for the country’s youth. With Nigeria’s population exceeding 230 million and an average age of 17, Shettima emphasised the urgency of equipping young people with digital skills to thrive in the global market.
“Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” he stated.
The GenU 9JA platform is a public-private-youth partnership designed to help young Nigerians aged 10 to 24 transition from learning to earning through digital connectivity.
Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has already impacted over 10 million youths and facilitated 1,500 job placements, showcasing Nigeria as a model for youth-driven digital development.
Strategic partnership focuses on sustainable and inclusive growth
This renewed alliance aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development and innovation-led transformation.
Vice President Shettima stressed that Nigeria seeks equitable partnerships rather than charity.
“We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship—one based on respect and shared interests,” he said, highlighting the importance of sustainable collaboration for youth advancement.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohammed Fall praised Nigeria’s leadership and underscored the role of GenU in addressing youth unemployment, educational inequality, and digital exclusion.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” Fall remarked.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Dr. Rownak Khan added that GenU 9JA is one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment programs.
“Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said, noting the program’s strong digital connectivity and career transition framework.
The initiative also taps into the growing trend of Nigerian youths working remotely for global firms. Vice President Shettima highlighted that many young Nigerians are already earning from home through digital platforms, and this program aims to scale such opportunities.
This partnership reflects a strategic effort to close Nigeria’s youth employment gap and position the younger generation for success in a tech-driven global economy. With digital skills training targeting 20 million youths by 2030, Nigeria is setting a new standard for youth empowerment in Africa.