Children’s Rights: UNICEF appoints Zephia Ovia-Ikem as NextGen Champion

By Oluseye Ojo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appointed Zephia Ovia-Ikem, a renowned tech and social entrepreneur, as its NextGen Champion.

With the appointment, she has joined a global network of investors, philanthropists, and private sector leaders committed to advancing children’s rights and accelerating progress for children and young people in Nigeria.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria.

She described Ovia-Ikem’s appointment as a strategic move to leverage her expertise and networks to drive solutions for children.

“As NextGen Champion, Zephia will rally business leaders around children and young people’s rights and needs and utilise her networks and platforms to create awareness and mobilise resources to help accelerate progress for UNICEF’s work across Nigeria,” Saeed said.

She added that Ovia-Ikem, an advocate for youth empowerment, has been a long-standing supporter of UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) initiative.

In her acceptance speech, Ovia-Ikem said, “Children and youths in Nigeria represent our greatest asset and brightest future. I am passionate about working alongside UNICEF to mobilise resources, networks, and commitment needed to ensure that every child and youth in Nigeria can thrive and have access to sustainable pathways for better economic opportunities.”