The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has joined the Federal Government in marking a major milestone in youth development with the formal launch of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat.

The Secretariat, inaugurated on March 31, 2026, is now domiciled in the Office of the Vice President, a move described as a strong demonstration of government commitment to placing young people at the centre of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

UNICEF, a key partner in the initiative, said the development represents a significant step in efforts to connect millions of Nigerian youths to learning opportunities, skills acquisition, and economic empowerment programmes.

Launched in 2021, Generation Unlimited Nigeria has already impacted more than 11 million young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme provides access to digital skills, employment pathways, and civic engagement opportunities, with a strong focus on young women and youths from underserved communities.

With an ambitious target of reaching 20 million young people by 2030, stakeholders say the establishment of the National Secretariat signals a new phase in scaling up interventions.
The Secretariat, co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF under the Generation Unlimited Nigeria Public-Private-Youth Partnership (PPYP), is expected to serve as a high-level coordination hub.

It will bring together ministries, private sector players, development partners, and young people to strengthen policies and programmes aimed at youth empowerment.

Key areas of focus include skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion, with emphasis on delivering results at scale and with urgency.

Reaffirming its commitment, UNICEF Nigeria pledged continued technical support and expertise in designing and expanding learning-to-earning pathways, including digital education, employability, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

The organisation also expressed readiness to work closely with government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and young Nigerians to ensure the Secretariat achieves its goal of driving meaningful and sustainable change for the country’s youth.