Nigeria, UNICEF unveil youth-centred GenU secretariat at VP’s office

By Doris Obinna

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has welcomed the launch of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) National Secretariat at the Office of the Vice President, describing it as a major step towards placing young people at the centre of governance and national development.

In a statement issued on Thursday, UNICEF Nigeria said the formal inauguration of the secretariat on March 31, 2026, signals strong government ownership and commitment to advancing opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths.

The initiative, implemented under Generation Unlimited Nigeria, is a public-private-youth partnership co-led by the Office of the Vice President and UNICEF. The newly established secretariat is expected to serve as a high-level coordination hub, bringing together ministries, private sector actors, development partners and young people to strengthen policies and investments aimed at youth empowerment.

UNICEF noted that since its launch in 2021, the programme has reached more than 11 million young Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing access to digital skills training, employment pathways and civic engagement opportunities.

The organisation added that particular attention has been given to young women and those from marginalised communities.

With a target of reaching 20 million youths by 2030, UNICEF described the establishment of the secretariat as a critical milestone in scaling up efforts to connect young Nigerians to learning, skills and economic opportunities.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment as co-lead of the initiative, pledging continued technical and systems support in designing and expanding learning-to-earning pathways across education, digital skills, employability and entrepreneurship. It emphasised that these interventions would be guided by data, evidence and measurable results.

UNICEF further expressed optimism about deepening collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, relevant ministries, private sector stakeholders and young Nigerians to ensure that the secretariat delivers meaningful and lasting impact for the country’s youth population.