The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appointed Zephia Ovia-Ikem, a renowned tech and social entrepreneur, as a UNICEF NextGen Champion, marking a significant step in advancing children’s rights and youth empowerment efforts in Nigeria.

The announcement was made in a statement by Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, who described Ovia-Ikem’s appointment as a boost to the organisation’s mission of mobilising private sector partnerships and innovation in support of children and young people.

The UNICEF NextGen initiative brings together emerging global leaders who use their expertise and influence to accelerate solutions for children. Members have supported emergency responses, championed digital inclusion, and amplified the voices of children on international platforms.

Ovia-Ikem joins a global network of UNICEF NextGen Champions, a community of investors, philanthropists, and business leaders committed to driving progress for children through strategic investments, advocacy, and social impact initiatives.

According to Saeed, the new appointee has been an active supporter of UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) initiative since its inception, contributing to programmes that connect young Nigerians to education, skills, and employment opportunities.

As NextGen Champion, Ovia-Ikem is expected to rally business leaders around children’s rights, mobilise resources, and leverage her platforms to amplify UNICEF’s work in health, education, climate resilience, and digital innovation across the country.

“Children and youths in Nigeria represent our greatest asset and brightest future,” Ovia-Ikem said. “I am passionate to work alongside UNICEF to mobilise resources, networks, and commitment needed to ensure that every child and youth in Nigeria can thrive and have access to sustainable pathways for better economic opportunities.”

UNICEF noted that Ovia-Ikem’s appointment comes at a time when public-private partnerships are increasingly vital to addressing challenges facing children and young people in Nigeria, including limited access to quality education, healthcare, and digital opportunities.

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child, particularly the most disadvantaged and those who are hardest to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.

According to its website, the agency provides and advocates for education, health and nutrition services. It also protects children from violence and abuse. Other efforts of the agency include bringing clean water and sanitation to those in need, as well as protecting them from the impacts of climate change and disease.

As the world’s largest provider of vaccines, UNICEF also runs the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse.