Continental Hotels, operators of the premier luxury properties Lagos Continental and Abuja Continental, has announced a strategic partnership with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) platform.
The collaboration is aimed at equipping young people, especially young women, with relevant skills for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding hospitality, tourism, and service industries.
The partnership leverages Continental Hotels’ expertise in world-class hospitality and GenU 9JA’s proven track record in youth skilling and livelihood development.
Through the initiative, participants will gain hands-on training, mentorship, and certification opportunities aligned with global hospitality standards. The program focuses on building workplace readiness, including customer service excellence, operational skills, sustainable practices, and career pathways from entry-level roles to leadership positions.
Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing domestic and international demand.
By investing in young talent—particularly young women who are often underrepresented—this partnership addresses critical skills gaps while promoting inclusive economic opportunities and gender equality.
“We are committed to positioning Nigeria as a leading hospitality hub in Africa,” Karl Hala, group general manager, Continental Hotels. “Empowering the next generation, especially young women, is central to our vision. Partnering with UNICEF GenU 9JA allows us to create meaningful, sustainable impact by providing structured training and real-world experience in our iconic properties in Nigeria.”
Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), launched by UNICEF in 2021, is a public-private-youth partnership platform supporting young Nigerians in transitioning from learning to earning.
With over 11 million youth impacted to date and institutionalized under the Office of the Vice President, GenU 9JA emphasizes collaborations that drive workplace readiness, digital access, and youth engagement.
“The striking thing about this collaboration is that it is built around real opportunities for real young people. We have seen, time and again, that when employers like Continental Hotels open their doors with genuine commitment, young Nigerians rise to surpass every expectation. Young women who might otherwise be left out of this industry will gain the skills, the mentorship, and the confidence to build lasting careers. That is what GenU 9JA is here to make possible,” Celine Lafoucriere, chief, UNICEF Lagos Office, and lead, Generation Unlimited Nigeria, said.
The initiative will roll out through Continental Hotels’ Hospitality Academy, in collaboration with GenU 9JA and other stakeholders. Initial cohorts will include training programs at the Lagos and Abuja properties, with plans for expansion to reach more young Nigerians nationwide.
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