The Federal Government has on Monday announced that it will be empowering 20 million Nigerian youths with education, training and employment over the next few years. Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo made the announcement during the official inauguration of the “Generation Unlimited” (GenU) programme, a global multi-sector initiative between the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the government and private sector.
Osinbajo informed that the initiative Was initially launched in 2018 with over 200 partners, impacting over 100 million youths globally in over 40 countries.
He also explained that the GenU programme will offer beneficiaries digital skills and as well as be linked with entrepreneurial and opportunities.
“Nigeria has one of the world’s largest young populations. And it bears repeating that our country’s youth is the nation’s present and indeed its future. The cost of failing to invest in them is quite simply, unimaginable.
“We are excited to be a part of the ambitious goal of reaching young Nigerians with this opportunity. The work is massive, and we know we cannot achieve this objective without strong partnerships.”
The GenU Nigeria programme will be implemented across 12 states and cover three components namely; Digital Skills Development, The Workforce Readiness Programme and Youth Engagement.
The states include North-West – Kano and Kaduna; South-West – Lagos and Ogun; North-East – Borno and Bauchi; South-East – Ebonyi and Enugu; North-Central – Niger and Benue; South-South – Rivers and Cross River.