The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Read & Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has announced a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom-based University Application Portal (UAPP) aimed at empowering two million Nigerian youths by 2030. The initiative aligns with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supporting SDG 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning, and SDG 8, which focuses on inclusive economic growth, full employment and decent work.
UAPP Chief Executive Officer Md Shamim described the partnership as a milestone in advancing the 2030 Agenda. He said that by 2030, the programme will equip over two million Nigerian youths with the skills, tools and confidence needed to participate fully in the digital economy. Shamim emphasised UAPP’s commitment to opening doors for young people globally and highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s youth population, over 70 percent of whom are under 30, as both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity.
The collaboration will leverage UAPP’s global education technology platform, which works with over 200 universities worldwide and has facilitated more than 9,000 successful student placements. The programme seeks to expand access to quality education through digital platforms, promote lifelong learning and entrepreneurial pathways, and support decent work and sustainable livelihoods for young people.
Key programme components include digital inclusion, providing free access to UAPP’s advanced CRM and learning systems to enable participants to engage in education and career counselling at scale.
UNESCO REF President Prince Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan emphasised the transformative impact of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the initiative aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063 and reinforces Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda by advancing opportunities for youth to access education, decent work and sustainable livelihoods.
The programme represents a coordinated effort to harness Nigeria’s youthful population for economic growth while ensuring inclusive access to education and digital skills development.
