Apply Now: UNICEF, Nigerian Bank Open Applications For 1,500 Jobs For Nigerian Women
- Standard Chartered and UNICEF are partnering to create 1,500 job opportunities for young Nigerian women
- The initiative emphasizes job placement and economic inclusion for women aged 18 to 24
- The collaboration aims to tackle youth unemployment and gender inequality through sustainable employment solutions
A new partnership between the Standard Chartered Foundation and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited has opened the door to 1,500 decent job opportunities for young women in Nigeria, offering a rare pathway from skills training to sustainable employment.
Announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the initiative targets women aged 18 to 24 from underserved communities and will run for three years.
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The programme is also being implemented in Kenya, reflecting a broader regional push to tackle youth unemployment through private-public collaboration.
From skills training to real jobs
According to the organisers, beneficiaries will be selected from an existing pool of young women who have already completed UNICEF Generation Unlimited’s skills training programmes.
The focus is not just on employability, but on ensuring participants successfully transition into decent, stable jobs.
The partnership builds on Generation Unlimited’s growing ecosystem of global and local partners, which has already recorded measurable progress in equipping young people with market-relevant skills.
This new phase shifts attention from training alone to actual job placement and long-term economic inclusion.
Private sector meets social impact
UNICEF offices in Nigeria and Kenya will work closely with local job placement experts to connect qualified participants with employment opportunities across the private sector.
The programme will also collaborate with local government initiatives to identify job pathways aligned with community and regional labour needs.
This approach is designed to ensure that job opportunities are not only available but also sustainable and responsive to local economic realities.
Standard Chartered reaffirms commitment
Speaking at the launch event in Lagos, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Nigeria Limited, Ayodeji Adelagun, said the collaboration reflects the bank’s long-standing commitment to employment-driven youth empowerment.
He explained that combining UNICEF’s skills ecosystem with Standard Chartered’s focus on work readiness and vocational training creates a sustainable framework that bridges talent development and real job placement.
According to Adelagun, creating dignified work opportunities strengthens local economies, demonstrates meaningful private sector participation in national development, and supports inclusive, long-term growth.
UNICEF: Empowering women, strengthening communities
UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Wafaa Saeed, described the initiative as a timely intervention for young women who already possess the skills and determination to succeed but lack access to real opportunities.
She noted that when young women are connected to decent jobs, the impact goes beyond individual success, improving family wellbeing and strengthening entire communities.
Empowering women economically, she said, is essential to Nigeria’s social and economic progress.
Wider impact across Nigeria and Kenya
Beyond creating jobs, the partnership is expected to improve employment outcomes for young women while encouraging deeper private sector involvement in inclusive economic development across Nigeria and Kenya.
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As youth unemployment and gender inequality remain persistent challenges, the initiative stands out as a practical, employment-focused solution that turns training into a tangible economic opportunity for thousands of young women.
FG opens GEEP loan programme portal for 2026
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Government has opened the application portal for the 2026 cycle of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), giving Nigerians access to interest-free loans of up to ₦300,000.
The initiative is part of the National Social Investment Programme and is administered by the Bank of Industry to support micro, small, and medium enterprises, farmers, artisans, traders, and youth entrepreneurs nationwide.
The GEEP loan is designed to expand financial inclusion by providing affordable funding to Nigerians who often struggle to access credit from commercial banks due to high interest rates and strict collateral requirements.
Source: Legit.ng
