It is no longer news that Nigeria boasts one of the largest population of youth in the world, with a median age of 18.1 according to a 2022 report. Same report puts about 70% of the population under 30, and 42 percent are under the age of 15.
While the size and youthfulness of the Nigerian population offer great potential to expand the country’s capacity as the regional economic hub of Africa and globally, crippling economic atmosphere and an unemployment rate that is negative appreciating – the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) puts that the current rate at 53 % in the first quarter of 2024, representing a third consecutive increase since the second quarter of 2023 – is indicative of the almost exact opposite.
“What keeps me awake at night isn’t just finding a job,” shares Amina Halilu, a 25-year-old Social Sciences graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Amina who hails from Tarauni in Kano had graduated among the top three best in her department as far back as 2018 and has been without a job after her mandatory national service in 2019. “It’s the uncertainty of my future. I never thought I’d feel this lost after completing my degree and NYSC.”
Amina’s experience is echoed by countless young Nigerians who find themselves facing a job market that seems ill-prepared for them. Very few of them have been able to pivot, find employment outside their desired professional ambition. Chima Nwinyinya, a 29-year-old engineering graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra, who now drives for a ride-hailing service in Abuja, embodies this lot. “After I graduated, I thought I’d be employed within a few months,” he says. “That was five years ago.”
How Nestlé Nigeria Is Empowering The Youth For A Brighter Future
For many young Nigerians like Amina and Chima, dreams of meaningful work have been replaced by the harsh reality of a struggling economy. But in the face of these challenges, companies like Nestlé Nigeria are stepping up to offer a lifeline to young Nigerians. Through its Youth Employment Initiative, Nestlé is providing critical skills and mentorship opportunities that pave the way to sustainable employment. This Initiative provides hands-on training in agriculture, manufacturing, and digital technology. This structured programme blends classroom education with real-world experience, ensuring participants leave equipped with valuable skills.
Another initiative is the Nestlé’s Technical Training programme which recently celebrated the graduation of 20 young men and women. Launched in 2023, the Flowergate Technical Training Centre (TTC) is the latest addition to Nestlé’s broader technical training efforts, which have been ongoing since 2011. Over 200 Nigerians have now completed the rigorous 18-month curriculum, bolstered by an investment of over six billion naira.
At the recent graduation ceremony, Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director/CEO, Wassim Elhusseini, highlighted the company’s dedication to nurturing young talent. “For over 13 years, our commitment to young people has reflected our confidence in the future of this generation,” Elhusseini said. “This programme is more than just skills training—it’s about empowering young people to shape their futures and become catalysts for change.”
Elhusseini stressed the importance of this long-term investment, stating, “By equipping them with critical technical expertise, we are opening doors to personal growth and financial independence. This is a long-term investment in creating shared value, impacting families, strengthening communities, and driving growth in the industry.”
Beyond your typical vocational training programmes, the Nestlé’s Technical Training Programme combines classroom learning with engineering practice and culminates in a globally recognized City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, boosting participants’ employability. This year’s graduation ceremony attracted notable community leaders, including His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Akarigbo of Remo Land, alongside industry leaders from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
Beyond technical training, Nestlé boasts the YOUth initiative –launched in 2013 to help young people access access economic opportunities, focusing on four pillars: getting them hired, skilled, supported and providing them with more opportunities. Through various programmes under this initiative, Netle Nigeria reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually. This initiative also includes various programmes that bridge gaps in education, skill-building, and job placement, equipping young Nigerians to thrive.
Through these efforts, Nestlé Nigeria demonstrates the critical role that private companies can play in addressing unemployment. Programmes like the Youth Employment Initiative not only provide jobs but instill a renewed sense of purpose and stability for Nigeria’s young population. These initiatives prove that strategic investments in human capital can help transform a struggling generation into a thriving workforce that contributes to the country’s overall prosperity.