Nestlé Nigeria Marks 15 Years of Transformative Impact, Celebrates New Generation of Skilled Graduates

 

By allcitynews.ng 

Nestlé Nigeria Marks 15 Years of Transformative Impact, Celebrates New Generation of Skilled Graduates.

The celebration is a testament that in Nestlé Nigeria, it is no longer just about numbers or investment,  that it is about lives changing, careers builder, and a growing ecosystem of skilled professionals shaping the future of Nigeria’s industrial sector.

Through its Technical Training Centres and broader youth initiatives, the company continues to turn promise into possibility, one graduate at a time.

In a moment that blended celebration with purpose, Nestlé Nigeria marked 15 years of sustained investment in youth development by graduating twenty trainees from its Flowergate Technical Training Centre—an initiative that has steadily evolved into one of the country’s most impactful technical empowerment programmes.

More than a graduation ceremony, the event stood as a testament to a long-term vision: equipping young Nigerians with the skills, discipline, and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive industrial landscape.

Since its launch in 2011 at the Agbara Factory, the Nestlé Technical Training Centre has trained over 300 young Nigerians across its locations in Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji. Backed by an investment exceeding ₦6 billion, the programme delivers an intensive 18-month curriculum that blends classroom instruction with hands-on engineering experience. Graduates earn the globally respected City & Guilds of London Institute certification—positioning them for opportunities both within Nigeria and internationally.

At the heart of this milestone lies Nestlé Needs YOUth, a global programme launched in 2013 with an ambitious target to impact 10 million young people worldwide by 2030. In Nigeria, that ambition has translated into tangible outcomes, including an impressive 98 percent employment rate among graduates—many of whom transition directly into roles within Nestlé’s operations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director and CEO Wassim Elhusseini underscored the deeper significance of the initiative. He noted that beyond skills acquisition, the programme is building a pipeline of talent that strengthens industry capacity while opening meaningful pathways for young people to succeed.

Echoing this sentiment, Country Human Resource Manager Shakiru Lawal emphasized that Nestlé’s youth-focused initiatives are anchored on a simple but powerful principle: unlocking potential through access to skills, opportunity, and real-world experience. Through structured training, apprenticeships, and partnerships, the company continues to bridge the gap between education and employment.

For the graduates, the impact is deeply personal. Valedictorian Samuel Oladokun described the programme as transformative—not just in technical competence, but in shaping confidence, discipline, teamwork, and professionalism. His remarks captured the shared experience of a cohort stepping into the workforce not only as skilled technicians, but as well-rounded professionals ready to contribute meaningfully.

Traditional and government leaders also lent their voices to the significance of the programme. 

On his part, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, represented at the event, commended the initiative for its positive community impact, while Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu praised Nestlé’s continued alignment with government efforts in youth empowerment and skills development.

The ceremony drew a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Alliance for Youth, reinforcing the collaborative approach required to tackle youth unemployment at scale.

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