From News Editor
No fewer than 2 million young people have benefited from UNICEF GenU 9JA Initiative through connecting underserved communities and 820 schools, as well as, boosting learning through platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport (nearly 750,000 users) and the Youth Agency Market Place, YOMA.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Communication Officer
UNICEF Nigeria, Blessing Ejiofor
According to the statement, the initiative has also equipped over 800,000 young Nigerians with essential skills and livelihood opportunities, with platforms like YOMA linking users to diverse learning and engagement opportunities provided by private sector partners.
She noted that a high level meeting was convened between private sector, including notable companies like IHS Towers, Microsoft, Airtel, Unilever, ATC, Jobberman, Cisco and MTN along with government, youth, development partners and UNICEF officials to assess the progress made in 2023 by the GenU 9JA public-private-youth partnership platform.
“GenU 9JA has been a cornerstone in addressing the digital and skills gaps, as well as amplifying the voices of millions of young people in an endeavor to support their transition from learning to earning. With the current education crisis in Nigeria, this partnership has markedly enhanced digital access, learning, and soft and job-related skills for Nigerian children, adolescents and youth.”
At the meeting, the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende praised the initiative: “UNICEF GenU 9JA embodies our commitment to youth empowerment. By equipping our youth, we’re investing in Nigeria’s future, fostering a generation poised for sustainable development and economic prosperity.”
Also speaking, the UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria and host of the GenU platform, Cristian Munduate emphasized the urgency of such initiatives, stating, “With a significant portion of the Nigerian population lacking access to quality services, a public-private-youth partnership platform such as GenU 9JA is critical for our nation’s future. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration between public and private sectors as well as youth as generational agents of change”.
Also, the Director Partnerships at Tony Elumelu Foundation, Iruka Ndubuizu highlighted the importance of partnerships for youth development: “The private sector’s involvement in this platform is aimed at providing holistic support to young people and nurturing a resilient economy fueled by our most valuable asset – our Youth”.
the statement added that parts of the Key Achievements of GenU Naija in 2023 included the Connectivity and Digital Learning: Exceeding targets, the initiative with private sector contributions benefitted over 2 million young people through connected underserved communities and 820 schools and boosted learning through platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport (nearly 750,000 users) and the Youth Agency Market Place, YOMA.
“Workplace Readiness: The initiative has equipped over 800,000 young Nigerians with essential skills and livelihood opportunities, with platforms like YOMA linking users to diverse learning and engagement opportunities provided by private sector partners.
“Youth Engagement: UNICEF’s U-Report is reaching nearly 5.5 million young people and youth have been benefitting from volunteering experiences, in support of campaigns, thereby enhancing their work experience whilst driving change for children in Nigeria. Young volunteers contributed to registering the birth of nearly 8 million children during the recent e-birth registration campaign across the country.
“As GenU 9JA looks to the future, today’s meeting was a reflective and strategic session aimed at further empowering Nigerian youth. The public private partnership remains committed to creating a nurturing environment for every young Nigerian to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their society.”
According to the statement, members of GenU 9JA are: The Federal Ministry of Education, The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Airtel, IHS Towers, ATC Nigeria, Impact Hub, Jobberman, PwC, Tech4Dev, Microsoft, MTN, Cisco, Unilever, DSM-Firmenich, TEF, EME Entertainment, Vanguard Newspapers, Troy Media
