UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, has underscored the importance of equipping Nigeria’s youth as torchbearers of sustainable development in an increasingly dynamic world.
Ms Munduate, speaking on Plus TV Africa on the 2024 International Youth Day theme, emphasised the critical role young people play in shaping the future.
According to her, “Young people are the torchbearers of sustainable development. They are the architects of our shared future, and it’s time for all stakeholders to support them. The time is now; we cannot wait.”
She pointed out the significant challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the gaps in education and job readiness among the youth.
To tackle these issues, she stated that UNICEF launched the Generation Unlimited (GenU) initiative in 2018, a global initiative designed to support individuals between 10 and 24 years old to enhance their skills, broaden learning opportunities, and prepare them for the workforce.
Munduate declared that the ambitious goal of GenU is to engage 20 million young Nigerians by 2030, adding that so far, UNICEF has reached 6.2 million young Nigerians through various online platforms and programmes.
Among the key programmes under GenU is Yoma, an online platform that offers courses enabling young people to earn certificates, thus advancing their educational and career prospects. Additionally, the Nigerian Learning Passport, another critical component of the initiative, provides distance learning opportunities for adolescents who are out of school.
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Munduate highlighted several success stories that exemplify the impact of these initiatives. One such story is that of Saru Ishaq Ibrahim from Sokoto, a member of the GenU Youth Action Team, who has been a passionate advocate for girl-child education and public health.
“She has led campaigns to raise awareness about critical issues, including vaccinations, in her community,” Munduate added.
She also declared that the example is Kadisha, who initially struggled with her education but later enrolled in the Nigerian Learning Passport programme and through the skills she acquired, Kadisha started a profitable tamarind juice business that enabled her to fund her education.
According to her, Kadisha’s entrepreneurial success underscores the vast potential of Nigerian youth when provided with the right tools and opportunities.
However, despite these achievements, Munduate said that access to technology and education in many parts of Nigeria is still limited, especially in rural areas.
Munduate called on the government and educational institutions to prioritise investments in technology and education.
“Access to technology requires funds, but it’s an investment with massive long-term gains. Providing platforms for learning and making them accessible across rural communities will empower the youth, ultimately offering value for money,” she declared.
