The UNGCNN is proud to report on the successful event held in Jos on August 15, 2025, celebrating the impact of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria. Over 25,000 young Nigerians have been empowered through skills development, entrepreneurship support, and employment opportunities. This year’s training in Jos saw 585 young people gain valuable skills for the workforce.
At the heart of the Alliance’s work is the annual Vocational Skills Training program, which has trained thousands of young Nigerians in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital literacy, online safety, solar panel installation, beauty care, video editing, social media management, and web development.
The Alliance for Youth Nigeria aims to equip young Nigerians with the skills necessary for success in today’s rapidly changing job market. Members of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria include Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, U-Connect HR Limited with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International as partner organizations. Together, we share a bold vision of equipping 250,000 young Nigerians with vital employability and entrepreneurial skills by 2027.
Stephanie Iwunze, representing Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director of the UNGCNN, highlighted the urgency of investing in youth to ensure Nigeria remains competitive globally. “Empowering the youth now is critical for securing Nigeria’s future and keeping pace with global advancements,” Iwunze stated.
Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resource Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the importance of the program, saying, “By empowering young Nigerians, we are creating pathways to employment and nurturing the next generation of leaders.”
The event also recognized high-performing participants who received start-up kits and seed capital to apply their skills immediately, demonstrating the real-world impact of the training.
With over 25,000 young people trained since its launch, the Alliance remains committed to expanding training opportunities and fostering public-private partnerships to address the fast-evolving Nigerian job market.