As Nigeria faces increasing challenges in bridging the gap between educational qualifications and employability, Nestlé Nigeria is making notable strides in empowering young people through skill development and youth engagement initiatives.
Nestlé’s efforts go beyond just corporate social responsibility—they are embedded in the company’s mission to support sustainable growth, both for the business and society at large.
Sequel to its vision to be a leading, competitive Nutrition, Health, and Wellness company, delivering value to both shareholders and society, Nestlé Nigeria is heavily invested in shaping the future of the country through youth empowerment.
The company believes that investing in the next generation is essential to ensuring a prosperous future, with young people playing a critical role in driving both social and economic progress. In line with this commitment, Nestlé has, for over a decade, empowered thousands of young Nigerians through its technical training initiatives.
In a significant event held at the Flowergate Technical Training Centre (TTC), Nestlé Nigeria celebrated the graduation of 20 young men and women, marking the first-ever batch to complete the 18-month training program at the new facility.
This graduation ceremony, which took place in the Ogun State facility, underscores the company’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of contributing to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
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The Flowergate TTC, launched in 2023, is an expansion of Nestlé Nigeria’s broader technical training initiative, which began in 2011. To date, the program has trained over 200 young Nigerians, equipping them with critical technical skills necessary for the modern workforce.
The 18-month curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical engineering experience, culminating in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification. This certification significantly enhances the employability of participants, providing them with a competitive edge in Nigeria’s highly competitive labor market.
The graduation was attended by several high-profile guests, including His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, who praised Nestlé for its contribution to youth development.
Other notable attendees included Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Adewale Jones, Executive Secretary of the Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employers, and Oluwatoyin Naiwo, Registrar and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Representatives from the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Alliance for Youth Initiative, represented by Tumi Onamade, were also present, highlighting the importance of collaborations in youth empowerment efforts.
In his address at the graduation, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, reflected on the company’s long-standing dedication to nurturing young talent. “For over 13 years, our commitment to fostering the potential of Nigerian youth reflects our confidence in this generation’s ability to lead us into a prosperous future,” he said.
“This year alone, we have graduated 70 skilled professionals across all our centers, including Agbara and Abaji. These young individuals are not just gaining skills; they are being empowered to shape their futures, achieve financial independence, and become catalysts for change within their communities.”
Elhusseini’s remarks were a testament to Nestlé’s broader youth-focused initiatives, which aim to prepare young Nigerians for an evolving industrial landscape.
With more than ₦6 billion invested in this program since its inception, the company is actively contributing to the development of the next generation of skilled professionals, ensuring that they are well-equipped to meet the demands of Nigeria’s growing economy.
Beyond the technical training program, Nestlé Nigeria’s broader youth engagement strategy, Nestlé Needs YOUth, has reached over 25,000 youths annually since its launch in 2013.
This initiative focuses on four key pillars: providing employment, skills development, support, and creating more opportunities for young people. Nestlé’s commitment to youth empowerment is driven by the understanding that a skilled and empowered youth population is critical to the country’s overall development.
Nestlé’s efforts are not limited to its internal programs. Through collaborations with organizations like Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Nestlé has helped provide over 35,499 youths with vocational training and soft skills development since 2021.
The Alliance works closely with federal platforms like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and career fairs to reach young people across Nigeria. The goal is to equip youth with the tools they need to either secure meaningful employment or start their own businesses.
The Country Human Resources Manager of Nestlé Nigeria, Shakiru Lawal, stressed the importance of consistent youth training. “At Nestlé, we understand that the future well-being of our communities depends on the opportunities we create for the next generation. Consistency in training is key to greatness, and we are committed to keeping young people up to date with relevant skills. Since 2021, we have trained 372 young Nigerians in technical and vocational skills, in addition to the 805 youths we have trained through the Alliance.”
Lawal further emphasized the importance of the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which he said is designed to address the challenges of youth unemployment by equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in today’s fast-changing, digital-driven world. “We reach an average of 25,000 youths annually through this initiative, and our efforts are making a significant difference in their lives and the future of Nigeria,” he added.
For the graduates, the completion of the program marks not just an academic achievement, but the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Ezekiel Bibire, one of the graduates, expressed his gratitude, saying, “The journey was not easy, but through it all, we have achieved this milestone. I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and skills that have been imparted to me during this training.”
The success of Nestlé’s training programs is evident in the fact that 97 percent of the graduates have been employed within Nestlé Nigeria, highlighting the effectiveness of the program in preparing young people for the workforce.
Nestlé’s investments in youth empowerment go beyond mere training. By empowering young people with technical skills and providing them with opportunities to thrive, the company is contributing to the overall development of Nigerian society.
Through initiatives like the Nestlé Technical Training Centre and Nestlé Needs YOUth, Nestlé is not only creating opportunities for individual growth but also fostering the development of a skilled workforce that will drive Nigeria’s industrial future.
As Wassim Elhusseini remarked at the graduation, “Our efforts to bridge the technical skills gap are not just about today; they are about building a brighter, more sustainable future for Nigeria. This is how we create shared value—not only for our company but for the society as a whole.”
In a country where youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to empowering young people is a beacon of hope, proving that with the right investment in human capital, the future of Nigeria can indeed be bright.
