Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the Office of the Vice President–Generation Unlimited (OVP–GenU) Secretariat to coordinate youth-focused education, skills, and livelihood programmes nationwide. The UNICEF-led initiative aims to connect 20 million Nigerian youths to learning and employment opportunities by 2030. Shettima said the secretariat will fast-track programme delivery and align youth skills with the needs of communities, industries, and society.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, praised the initiative and pledged support for its rollout across 8,809 electoral wards. Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, said outputs from the GenU skills census will guide vocational training nationwide. UNICEF Representative Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in youth empowerment and job creation.

Special Adviser on Job Creation and MSME, Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, and Secretariat Coordinator Rimamskeb Nuhu outlined the programme’s potential to reduce youth unemployment. Nuhu called for ministry support in the National Skills Census and formal representation within the secretariat to ensure coordination and sustainability. The launch has been widely commended as a key step in equipping Nigerian youths with skills for meaningful employment.