Nigeria’s youth employment drive has received a major boost as UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) and Continental Hotels Group have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at preparing young Nigerians for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The collaboration seeks to provide practical training, mentorship, and internationally recognized certification opportunities for young people, with a special focus on empowering young women. The programme combines Continental Hotels’ experience in luxury hospitality services with GenU 9JA’s commitment to youth development and employment.
Under the initiative, participants will receive hands-on training through the Hospitality Academy operated by Continental Hotels. The programme will initially take place at Lagos Continental Hotel and Abuja Continental Hotel, where trainees will learn essential hospitality skills and gain real-world work experience.
The training will cover areas such as customer service, hotel operations, professional workplace conduct, and sustainable hospitality practices. Participants will also be guided through career pathways that can lead from entry-level positions to management and leadership roles within the industry.
Speaking on the partnership, Karl Hala, Group General Manager of Continental Hotels, said the company is determined to help position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading hospitality destinations. He noted that developing the next generation of hospitality professionals is an important part of that vision.
According to him, the partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria creates an opportunity to make a lasting impact by providing structured training and practical industry experience. He added that the programme will help young Nigerians build valuable skills while preparing them for long-term careers.
Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector has continued to expand in recent years due to increasing domestic travel and growing international interest. However, industry experts say there is still a shortage of skilled professionals, while women remain underrepresented in many areas of the sector.
The new initiative aims to address these challenges by creating inclusive opportunities that encourage gender equality and increase economic participation among young Nigerians.
Generation Unlimited Nigeria was launched by UNICEF in 2021 as a public-private-youth platform focused on helping young people move successfully from education into employment and entrepreneurship. The initiative has already impacted more than 11 million young Nigerians and operates under the Office of the Vice President.
Its programmes focus on improving workplace readiness, expanding digital access, and creating employment opportunities through partnerships with private and public sector organizations.
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Office and Lead for Generation Unlimited Nigeria, described the collaboration as one that offers genuine opportunities for young people.
She said that when companies such as Continental Hotels actively invest in youth development, young Nigerians consistently demonstrate their ability to succeed. Lafoucriere added that the programme would provide young women with the skills, mentorship, and confidence needed to build successful careers in the hospitality industry.
The first group of trainees is expected to begin training in Lagos and Abuja, with plans already underway to expand the programme to other parts of the country in the future.
