In the past year, Nestlé Nigeria has stepped up its youth empowerment and development efforts in a way that genuinely changes life paths and future prospects. Across its Agbara campus and outreach efforts in Lagos and beyond, young Nigerians have been drawn into immersive programmes designed to convert aspiration into real-world ability and income. At the heart of the initiative is the company’s Technical Training Centre at Agbara, where in 2025 a new cohort completed an 18-month curriculum in mechanical fitting, electrical systems and automation. The majority of these graduates were offered roles within Nestlé Nigeria, a clear demonstration of the company’s faith in investing in youth talent.
“Our belief in the next generation is non-negotiable,” said Mr Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria, during the recent graduation ceremony. “We are equipping young people not just with skills but with the confidence and opportunity to shape their own futures.”
Meanwhile in Lagos, the “My Own Business” (MYOWBU) entrepreneurship initiative trained hundreds of young people to launch micro-enterprises; from branded vending carts to home-based food businesses. One participant described the programme as “life-changing” and credited it with enabling him to leave informal street vending behind, set up a proper business and provide consistent income for his family. Another young woman who came through the technical training route reflected quietly: “Without this opportunity, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
What stands out about the past twelve months is the dual approach: on one side, rigorous industrial-skills training that delivers employment; on the other, entrepreneurship support that turns youth into job-creators. Through this combined strategy, Nestlé Nigeria is helping young Nigerians shift from uncertainty to stability, from waiting for opportunity to creating it.
The impact is more than a statistic or a photo-op. It is the day a young man in Agbara punches his time-card knowing he has a future; it’s the moment a young woman in Lagos signs off on her first business sale and realises she is no longer dependent. These stories illustrate how a multinational company can play a pivotal role in national development by aligning social investment with measurable outcomes.
As Nigeria pursues inclusive growth and tries to unlock the potential of its young population, Nestlé Nigeria’s renewed push in youth skills and entrepreneurship is a blueprint for partnership, purpose and real progress.
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