GenU 9JA, Federal Govt Partner For National Development

The launch of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat within the Office of the Vice President has been described as a major step toward placing young people at the centre of governance and national development.

The country representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 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.

Saaed who hailed the move in a  statement issued in Abuja 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.

UNICEF boss added that 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 further 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 read, “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 marginalised 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.”