United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has announced an expanded collaboration with the United Kingdom-based University Application Portal, UAPP, aimed at empowering two million Nigerian youths by 2030. The joint statement released on Friday in Abuja explained that the initiative is anchored on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on advancing SDG 4, which supports inclusive and equitable quality education, and SDG 8, which promotes sustained and inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all.
The Chief Executive Officer of UAPP, Mr. Md Shamim, described the partnership with UNESCO REF as a major step toward advancing global development goals. He said the programme is designed to empower young people with digital skills and opportunities that match the fast-changing global economy. “By 2030, we will have empowered over two million Nigerian youths with the skills, tools, and confidence to participate fully in the digital economy,” he said. He added that as a global student recruitment and education access platform, UAPP remains committed to opening doors for young people worldwide. “Together with UNESCO REF, we are delighted to be building inclusive routes to education and decent work, ensuring that no young person is left behind,” he stated.
Shamim explained that Nigeria’s large youth population, with over 70 per cent under the age of 30, presents both a challenge and an opportunity that the programme intends to address. UAPP, which works with over 200 universities globally and has supported more than 9,000 successful student placements, plans to expand educational access and digital learning opportunities across continents through the partnership.
The collaboration aims to promote equitable access to quality education through digital platforms, support lifelong learning, and create entrepreneurial pathways for young people. It also seeks to improve access to decent work and sustainable livelihoods through skills development and career support, ensuring that young Nigerians are prepared for the transition into a digital and knowledge-driven economy.
The statement highlighted key programme components, including digital inclusion, which will provide free access to UAPP’s advanced CRM and learning systems. This access will enable participants to engage in education and career counselling at scale, expanding opportunities for skill acquisition and guidance.
President of UNESCO REF, Prince Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, noting that it reflects the transformative impact of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He said the partnership will strengthen national and continental ambitions for inclusive growth. “By combining global technology with local impact, we are creating a scalable model for inclusive education, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment. This initiative will contribute directly to SDG 4 and SDG 8, while reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in advancing the 2030 Agenda,” he said.
According to the framework guiding the partnership, there will be capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurship, with training modules and mentorship aimed at helping participants establish education-focused enterprises and digital businesses. Global knowledge exchange will also be promoted to support cross-border learning and innovation.
The partnership will operate under the UNESCO REF New Partnership Development for Education and Youth (NEPAD_EY) framework, which was created to ensure sustainability and coherence. The implementation will follow the Strategic Intervention Programme – ALPHA (SIP-ALPHA) framework, which emphasizes accountability, operational integrity, and alignment with international standards.
The statement further noted that the initiative aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063, which envisions an inclusive and empowered Africa driven by skills and innovation. At the national level, it supports Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding opportunities for young people to gain education, secure decent work, and build sustainable livelihoods.
