UNESCO, UAPP-UK partner to empower two million Nigerian youths

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, Read & Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has announced a collaboration with the United Kingdom-based University Application Portal (UAPP) to expand its strategic partnership to empower two million Nigerian youths by 2030.

According to a joint statement on Friday in Abuja, the organizations revealed that the initiative is firmly anchored in the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advancing Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and SDG 8 which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Chief Executive Officer of UAPP, Mr. Md Shamim, on his part, said the partnership with UNESCO REF is a milestone in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“By 2030, we will have empowered over two million Nigerian youths with the skills, tools, and confidence to participate fully in the digital economy.

“As a global student recruitment and education access platform, UAPP is committed to opening doors for young people around the world. 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”.

While explaining further that the programme would advanceadvance the 2030 Agenda, Shamim said Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations globally, with over 70% under the age of 30, saying this demographic represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity.

UAPP is a global education technology provider working with over 200 universities worldwide and has supported more than 9,000 successful student placements,, and continues to expand opportunities for learners across continents.

The partnership seeks to harness this potential by expanding inclusive and equitable access to quality education through digital platforms and promoting lifelong learning opportunities and entrepreneurial pathways for young people.

The collaboration also aims to support decent work and sustainable livelihoods through skills development and career access while ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a digital and knowledge-based economy.

According to the statement, the programme components include digital inclusion by providing free access to UAPP’s advanced CRM and learning systems, enabling participants to engage in education and career counselling at scale.

The UNESCO REF President, Prince Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, highlighted the importance of the collaboration with UAPP, saying this demonstrates the transformative power of multi‑stakeholder partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He added that the partnership is not only transformative for Nigerian youth but also contributes to continental and national aspirations for inclusive prosperity and resilience.

“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 stated.

In line with the framework for the partnership, there would be capacity-building for entrepreneurship as training modules,, and mentorship would establish education-focused enterprises and digital businesses,, as well as global Knowledge exchange, fostering cross-border learning and innovation.

“Furthermore, the strengthening of this partnership will be anchored under the UNESCO REF New Partnership Development for Education and Youth (NEPAD_EY) framework, which provides the institutional architecture for coherence and sustainability.

“Programme implementation will strictly adhere to our flagship Strategic Intervention Programme – ALPHA (SIP‑ALPHA) framework, ensuring that delivery is governed by the highest standards of accountability, operational integrity, and alignment with international best practice.

“This initiative also perfectly aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063, which envisions ‘The Africa We Want’ through inclusive growth, skills development, and youth empowerment.

“At the national level, it reinforces Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, advancing opportunities for young people to access education, decent work, and sustainable livelihoods”.