Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday chaired the inaugural board meeting of Generation Unlimited Nigeria, coinciding with International Youth Day 2025, themed “Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” The event gathered key stakeholders in the skills and employment ecosystem.
The reactivated Board of Generation Unlimited (GenU) Nigeria has been given the mandate to connect 20 million young Nigerians to employment opportunities by 2030.
Speaking at the meeting, Shettima announced the launch of a new national skills programme designed to link young Nigerians to jobs, training, and entrepreneurship. “At least 60 per cent of beneficiaries are expected to be women,” he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s youth potential, the Vice President noted, “With over 60 per cent of our population below the age of 25, we cannot afford to squander this asset. An advantage unrealised is merely potential wasted. We must refine it, we must invest in it, and we must channel it towards productive destinies.”
He explained that the country’s national skills ecosystem faces a “trilemma,” pointing out that too many young people are excluded from the start, training is often disconnected from livelihoods, and there is inadequate infrastructure for large-scale hands-on learning.
The initiative, which focuses on sustainable development, employment creation, and gender inclusion, is expected to drive economic growth and improve youth empowerment across Nigeria.