UNICEF Celebrates Milestone, Calls for Greater Investment in Nigeria’s Future Leaders
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
More than nine million young Nigerians have gained essential skills and life-changing opportunities through Generation Unlimited Nigeria, GenU 9JA – an ambitious UNICEF initiative.
This remarkable achievement not only exceeds the original target of 7.5 million but also underscores a powerful movement towards empowering the nation’s future leaders.
The milestone which was celebrated at GenU 9JA’s annual Steering Committee meeting in Lagos gathered influential partners from government, the private sector, and civil society to celebrate the initiative’s three-year impact, set new goals, and expand their vision for the future.
The essence of GenU 9JA’s mission is to empower the youth for National Progress by equipping them with the tools to thrive in a dynamic world, including digital learning, career readiness, and youth engagement.
The initiative is fueling national development and preparing a new generation to lead.
The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, spoke on the critical role of connectivity in youth empowerment, highlighting Airtel’s work to bringing digital access to underserved communities.
“We’re dedicated to ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind in the digital age. Connecting 1,260 schools through our partnership is just the beginning,” Cruz said.
The CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, emphasised the need for youth entrepreneurship, calling it the driving force behind Africa’s economic growth.
“Young people are the engines of Africa’s transformation. Supporting them means investing in a sustainable future,” she noted.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative, Cristian Munduate, called for continued investment to expand GenU 9JA’s reach and to cultivate resilient future leaders.
“The future of any nation rests in its children and youth. Our collective investment today shapes a brighter tomorrow for Nigeria,” Munduate urged.
With an ambitious goal to empower 20 million youth by 2030, UNICEF is calling on all sectors to support GenU 9JA’s mission, reinforcing its commitment to a brighter, more empowered future for Nigeria.
