Nestle Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders For Today, Through Initiatives

Nestle, as one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, has been committed to empowering Nigerian youths through various initiatives. With a focus on education, employability, and entrepreneurship, The company's approach aimed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life. 

Part of its initiative includes Nestle Needs YOUth (NEY) program; Nestle CSV (Creating Shared Value) initiative; Nestle Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development; Nestle's Gender Balance and Diversity initiatives as well as Nestlé’s Human Rights and Social Responsibility programs.

By focusing on these areas, Nestle aims to empower individuals, communities, and society, while creating shared value for the business and contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of the Success Stories; Mr. Emmanuel, a YADIS beneficiary, increased his farm yields by 50% and now employs three other youths; Also Miss Blessing, a MYOWBU participant, started a successful food processing business and Mr. David, a Technical Training Center graduate, secured employment at a leading manufacturing company.

Consistently, the company recorded over 13,000 youths trained in employability skills while 500+ young entrepreneurs supported and created over 1,500+ jobs to reduce unemployment among the Nigerian’s youths

Recently Nestle’s Nigeria invested on over N6 billion in youth Empowerment, Skill Development.

The company underscored its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development at the recent graduation ceremony of ten young trainees from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara.

Since inception of programmes in 2011, the company has invested over N6 billion in upskilling young Nigerians, demonstrating its dedication to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.

Graduating in the second stream of the seventh batch of the program, these young men and women completed an intensive 18-month program that blends theoretical and practical engineering education. This rigorous training, which culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly enhances the employability of the participants.

With this batch, the total number of graduates from the Agbara TTC this year reaches 30 participants, contributing to the over 190 young professionals who have completed the program since its inception. Notably, 97% of the program’s graduates have been employed within Nestlé Nigeria, illustrating the program’s success and impact.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , Nestle’s Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, said “Our investment in upskilling these bright young minds over the last 13 years not only reflects our firm belief in the potential of the next generation but our commitment to enabling them to thrive. By bridging the technical skills gap in the industry”

“we are not only enhancing the employability of our youth but also empowering them to achieve financial independence, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large”

 “This is one of the ways we are creating shared value.”

“Beyond the Technical Training Centre, Nestlé’s also dedicated to the youth empowerment as reflected in its broader youth engagement platform, Nestlé Needs YOUth. Launched in 2013, this initiative aims to help young people access economic opportunities, focusing on 4 pillars: getting them hired, skilled, supported, and providing them with more opportunities”

“ Through various programs under this banner, Nestlé reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually” he stated.

Highlighting the significance of these efforts, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, the Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, said “We are playing our part to cushion the impact of economic challenges on the youth and prepare them for the future. Some of these initiatives include our Nesternship Program, Nestlé Youth Development Program, and our active participation in the Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative. In all, we reach over 25,000 youth and all graduates in this batch had also been employed by Nestlé Nigeria” “They have earned their place through dedication and excellence, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Nestlé family.” Lawal said

It’s commitment remains in ensuring that young people are prepared for today's challenges, equipped to lead with innovative solutions in digital-driven future where over 1,331 Youths were engaged in Vocational Skills

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria's youth unemployment rate among individuals aged 15-24 rose to 8.6% in Q3 2023, reflecting an increase of 1.4% from Q2 2023. In response to this

“Nestlé Nigeria Empowers Youth with Technical Skills and graduated 20 from Flowergate Training Centre”

“The Flowergate TTC, launched in 2023, as part of Nestlé Nigeria’s broader technical training initiative, which has been running since 2011. Since its inception, the program has seen over 200 young Nigerians successfully complete the rigorous 18-month curriculum”

“With the company investing over six billion naira in this initiative, Nestlé Nigeria continues to prioritize developing the next generation of skilled professionals to drive the country’s industrial future” NBS stated

Speaking at the event, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, expressed pride in the graduates’ accomplishments, saying, “For over 13 years, our commitment to nurturing young talent has reflected our confidence in the future of this generation. This year alone, we proudly graduated 70 skilled professionals across all our centers, including Agbara and Abaji, all of whom have now joined our team. For us, this program is more than just skills training, it’s about empowering young people to shape their futures and become catalysts for change”

“By equipping them with critical technical expertise, we are opening doors to personal growth and financial independence. Ultimately, this is a long-term investment in creating shared value, as their success extends beyond themselves, impacting their families, strengthening communities, and driving growth in the industry.”