In an ambitious bid to bridge the digital divide and bolster youth empowerment, Airtel Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s younger generation by hosting the 2024 GenU 9JA Steering Committee meeting at its Banana Island headquarters this Tuesday. The event, organized in collaboration with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU), focused on assessing the progress of initiatives designed to equip Nigerian youth with essential digital skills, increase employment opportunities, and create entrepreneurial pathways.
As part of its broader goals, Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with UNICEF, has embarked on a mission to connect schools across the country to the internet and provide access to open educational platforms. Two key resources, Yoma and the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), have emerged as cornerstones of this digital initiative. Both platforms offer access to a variety of learning modules and skill-building exercises, allowing young Nigerians to explore academic subjects, develop professional competencies, and gain exposure to a dynamic digital workforce.
Airtel Nigeria’s partnership with UNICEF aims to reach 20 million young Nigerians by 2030, transforming them into a digitally skilled workforce that can drive Nigeria’s economic growth. This ambitious target reflects the company’s commitment to national development by ensuring that young people not only have the skills to thrive in digital sectors but are also positioned to become innovators and job creators themselves.
In his address to the committee, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer emphasized the importance of this initiative in positioning Nigerian youth as future leaders in a globalized digital economy. “The future of Nigeria lies in the potential of our youth, and at Airtel, we are determined to give them the tools they need to succeed. Through initiatives like GenU, we are working to provide accessible, high-quality digital education that can inspire and empower millions of young Nigerians,” he stated.
The meeting also celebrated the achievements of the Young People’s Action Teams (YPATs), groups of young advocates actively involved in driving awareness and engagement for GenU’s initiatives. Airtel Nigeria praised these youth leaders for their courage, vision, and dedication to uplifting their communities. The YPATs serve as both the face and the heart of this movement, embodying the power of youth-led change and innovation.
Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF’s commitment to youth empowerment is expected to have a transformative impact on Nigeria’s workforce. With millions of young Nigerians poised to gain new skills through this initiative, the country’s digital economy stands to benefit significantly from a new wave of tech-savvy talent, equipped not only for employment but also for entrepreneurship.
UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, a global initiative active in over 40 countries, partners with governments, private sector companies, and youth organizations to create education and employment opportunities for young people worldwide. Airtel Nigeria’s partnership with GenU reflects its alignment with global goals for sustainable development, focusing on youth empowerment as a cornerstone for economic and social progress.
The 2024 GenU 9JA Steering Committee meeting marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts of Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF to create a digitally inclusive society. By expanding access to digital tools and knowledge, they are not only providing Nigerian youth with practical skills but also fostering resilience, creativity, and independence among the nation’s future leaders.
As the initiative continues to grow, Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF remain dedicated to achieving a shared vision of a more equitable and digitally advanced Nigeria, setting a powerful example of corporate and humanitarian partnership in Africa.
