The Gold Standard for Youth Empowerment

Nestlé Nigeria is executing a bold, high-impact strategy that fundamentally challenges the conversation around youth unemployment and industrial capacity in Nigeria. The recent graduation of twenty young professionals from the 8th cohort of its Technical Training Centre (TTC), Agbara, underscores a sustained commitment that has seen the company invest over ₦6 billion since 2011 to build a world-class manufacturing workforce. 

This initiative is not charity; it is a strategic investment that positions Nigerian youth to drive the nation’s industrial future, linking local training directly to global standards and opportunities.

From Local Training to Global Mobility

The TTC curriculum elevates vocational training to a professional career path. Graduates complete an intensive 18-month program that culminates in the internationally recognized City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, making their skills globally portable.

Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, MD/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the life-changing results that challenge geographical limitations:

Global Exposure: Five top graduates from this class are set for an eight-week internship in Switzerland in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy, gaining invaluable international technical experience.

Career Trajectories: Alumni are already serving as a Factory Engineer in Angola and excelling as Engineering and Production Supervisors within Nestlé, proving the program’s ability to unlock regional and global career mobility.

"These achievements go far beyond individual success; they uplift families, strengthen communities, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth,” said Elhusseini.

The Blueprint for Employability

The TTC, a cornerstone of the broader Nestlé Needs YOUth program, is a proven model for closing the skills gap:

Impact Rate: Since inception, the three TTCs have trained over 200 young professionals, with a staggering 95% of alumni securing employment with Nestlé Nigeria. This near-perfect transition rate demonstrates the program’s direct relevance to industry needs.

Scale: The wider Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative reaches an average of 25,000 young people annually through dedicated pillars focused on employability and skills development.

The Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) affirmed this model, stating that the program "reaffirms our belief that skills are the future of work." By consistently producing technically competent, internationally certified professionals, Nestlé Nigeria is providing a crucial blueprint for how the private sector can partner with education to secure the technical talent required for Nigeria's ambitious industrialization goals.