On the morning of 12 August 2024, the Nigeria Police Force and UNESCO REF convened a landmark youth summit in Abuja to mark the United Nations International Youth Day. The gathering drew government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations and youth leaders from every corner of the federation, and set out to reimagine the relationship between young Nigerians and the institutions charged with their security. Read Full Story at the media Centre.
The Strategic Intervention Program (SIP X2) has been unveiled as a landmark initiative to prepare young people for the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence and the digital economy. More than a training program, SIP X2 is a national, continental, and global platform that combines technical proficiency with ethical responsibility, empowering a new generation to drive innovation while safeguarding human rights, democratic values, and societal resilience.
At the national level, SIP X2 strengthens Nigeria’s digital economy and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for youth empowerment and innovation. At the continental level, it positions Africa as a leader in ethical AI adoption, ensuring that African youth are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Globally, SIP X2 contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
UNESCO REF President declared: “Technology must serve humanity. SIP X2 ensures that young people are not only prepared for the jobs of tomorrow but also for the ethical responsibilities that come with shaping our digital future. This is Nigeria’s gift to Africa and Africa’s contribution to the world.”
Through structured training, mentorship, and access to global expertise, SIP X2 equips participants with modern digital literacy and AI‑related skills. The program emphasizes employability while ensuring that youth are prepared to address critical issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the broader societal impacts of emerging technologies.
SIP X2 represents a strategic step toward building an inclusive and equitable digital society. By curating expert knowledge across disciplines and fostering multi‑stakeholder collaboration, the program positions nations to harness AI responsibly while strengthening democratic governance, sustainable development, and global solidarity.
Participants will gain access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities previously unavailable, positioning them at the forefront of innovation. SIP X2 ensures that their contributions advance national priorities, continental aspirations, and global digital equity, embedding ethics at the heart of technological progress.
SIP X2 is a multi‑stakeholder initiative committed to advancing digital literacy, ethical AI adoption, and youth empowerment. By combining technical excellence with ethical awareness, SIP X2 prepares nations with a new generation of skilled practitioners ready to shape the future responsibly.
Strategic Collaboration for Education and Skills Development: UNESCO REF and Global Learning Exchange, USA.
Two million Nigerian are denied higher education access due to insufficient enrollment capacity, a gap UNESCO REF and the Global Learning Exchange are committed to bridging; because education is universally recognized as the foundation of sustainable development, social mobility, and global competitiveness.
In the 21st century, nations that invest in human capital through accessible, high‑quality education and skills development are best positioned to thrive in an interconnected world. Against this backdrop, the UNESCO REF partnered with the Global Learning Exchange™ (GLX) under the NEPAD_EY framework, implemented through the TAP Category 2.9 platform.
This collaboration represents a bold institutional step toward democratizing education, bridging Nigeria’s intellectual capital with global opportunity, and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The partnership is not an isolated initiative but part of a broader agenda. It aligns with:
By situating Nigeria within these global and continental frameworks, the collaboration underscores the country’s role as a hub for educational innovation and human capital development in Africa.
Operating under the UNESCO REF Strategic Implementation Platform (SIP‑ALPHA), the partnership reflects a deliberate alignment of two organizations committed to democratizing education. The vision is clear: every qualified Nigerian youth, regardless of geography or economic circumstance, should have access to world‑class education and professional opportunities.
The initiative delivers internationally accredited academic programmes, professional certifications, and digital skills development. These opportunities are structured to advance SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), ensuring that the collaboration contributes meaningfully to both national and global development agendas.
A cornerstone of the initiative is the establishment of GLX Hub facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These hubs will provide:
This infrastructure ensures that Nigerian youth are not only educated but also globally connected.
Beyond education, the initiative addresses employment. Each GLX Hub will generate jobs for qualified local professionals, who will manage operations and provide academic and administrative support. This model strengthens institutional capacity, creates local ownership, and ensures sustainability.
Recognizing that education must be holistic, the hubs will deliver wraparound services including career planning, counselling, and mental health support. By prioritizing student retention, employability, and long‑term success, the initiative ensures that participants are prepared not only academically but also personally and professionally.
The collaboration emphasizes knowledge and technology transfer through structured training and certification programs. This ensures that expertise is localized, institutional capacity is built, and Nigeria becomes a hub for educational innovation.
Branded as GET EDUCATED, the pathway symbolizes the institutional commitment to bridging Nigeria’s intellectual capital with global opportunity. It targets youth between 18 and 35; including NYSC corps members, graduates, and young professionals — and provides access to internationally validated programmes. By doing so, it creates a pipeline of globally competitive graduates who can contribute to national development and international collaboration.
The UNESCO REF and GLX partnership is more than an educational program; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and Africa’s transformation. By combining infrastructure, employment, career support, and knowledge transfer, the collaboration creates a holistic ecosystem for learning and growth. Anchored in global best practices and aligned with the SDGs, it represents a transformative pathway for Nigerian youth to thrive in an interconnected world.
ABE are proud to be partners with UNESCO-Ref on the TAP project in Nigeria, which aims to empower 1.2m young people with high-impact entrepreneurial skills. Helping them find decent work or start their own business, reducing the massive unemployment and poverty crisis.
Digital Technology Capacity Building for Youth Empowerment
The rapid permeation of information and digital technologies into all aspects of human endeavor, coupled with Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest and most dynamic economy, underscores the urgency of strengthening user protection and promoting best practices. The pace of digitization, expansion of mobile access, and proactive policy initiatives of the Central Bank further highlight the imperative to build capacity for responsible engagement in the digital space.
In alignment with the scope of the program, UNESCO–REF, through Category 2.9 of the TAP Project, is collaborating with global stakeholders to deliver joint training initiatives for youth in the digital sector. Annually, more than 120,000 young Nigerians will benefit from the SIP‑X1 program, which is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to harness opportunities and mitigate risks in the digital environment.
The course seeks to strengthen youth capacity to responsibly adopt and adapt to the digital revolution. Early investment in training is essential to ensure that stakeholders and beneficiaries are prepared to navigate rapidly evolving technologies.
The Digital Technology Capacity Building (DTCB) program, a core component of the TAP Project, serves as a critical resource in this process, providing structured training and guidance to empower beneficiaries with the competencies necessary for sustainable participation in the global digital economy.