In every thriving nation, the true measure of progress lies not only in its infrastructure or technology but in the strength and empowerment of its youth. When young people are equipped with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to create value, the entire nation moves forward. For a country like Nigeria, where over 70 percent of the population is under 30. The empowerment of young people is not just a social responsibility; it is the foundation of a sustainable future.
For years, Nestlé Nigeria has embraced this responsibility wholeheartedly, turning its corporate philosophy of “Creating Shared Value” into practical impact through its youth empowerment initiatives. Across the country, the company has consistently invested in technical training, entrepreneurship, and employability programs designed to transform potential into opportunity.
A Legacy of Empowerment
In 2025, Nestlé reaffirmed its dedication to youth empowerment with the graduation of 20 new trainees from the 8th cohort of its Nestlé Technical Training Centre (NTTC) in Agbara. These young men and women completed an intensive 18-month training in mechanical, electrical, and automation engineering, equipping them with skills that make them globally competitive.
The Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, described the ceremony as “a moment of pride,” emphasizing that the company is not just training youth, but transforming potential into opportunity. Since its inception in 2013, the NTTC has produced over 230 graduates, with more than 95% securing employment within Nestlé or partner industries.
This year, five outstanding graduates were selected for an eight-week international internship in Switzerland through a partnership with the Swiss Embassy, an opportunity that offers not only technical exposure but also global perspective. Such experiences underscore Nestlé’s belief that empowering Nigerian youth can open doors beyond borders.
Beyond the NTTC, the company’s Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative continues to broaden its reach through multiple channels, skill development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and employability programs. The result is a structured chain of empowerment that moves youth from awareness to education, from training to entrepreneurship.
Transforming Lives Across Regions
The numbers are inspiring, over 250,000 Nigerian youths have directly benefited from Nestlé’s empowerment programs in the last decade but the true impact shines brightest in the individual stories of transformation from every corner of the country.
Kolade Afolabi: Ogun State (West)
Growing up in a low-income neighborhood near Agbara, Chinedu’s dream of becoming an engineer seemed far-fetched. After completing secondary school, he took up casual jobs to survive. Everything changed when he was accepted into the NTTC. Eighteen months later, he graduated as a certified electrical technician under the City & Guilds programme. Today, Chinedu works with Nestlé’s production team, earning a steady income and supporting his younger siblings through school. “My family’s life has changed completely,” he says. “I now believe that skill is power and Nestlé gave me that power.”
Adaeze Okeke: Enugu (South East)
Adaeze’s journey began with a dream of working in manufacturing but little access to industry networks. In 2025, she joined the Nesternship, Nestlé’s virtual internship platform—where she collaborated remotely with mentors on a live production project. The experience transformed her confidence and employability. Within months, she secured a role as a production supervisor with a manufacturing firm in Enugu. “I didn’t just gain skills,” she says, “I gained visibility and purpose.” Today, Adaeze mentors other young women in her community, helping them see that digital tools can open doors to real-world opportunities.
Hassan Abubakar: Niger State (North)
For Hassan, a 23-year-old from a farming family near Abaji, the opportunity came through Nestlé’s Technical Training Centre in the North. Selected in 2024, he trained in mechanical and automation systems and graduated in 2025 with top honors. His excellence earned him one of the five coveted internships in Switzerland. Now employed as an instrumentation technician at Nestlé’s Flowergate factory, Hassan supports his parents and has become a role model in his community. “Nestlé didn’t just teach me skills—they gave me a new sense of identity,” he says proudly.
Funmi Oyedeji: Lagos (South West)
Funmi’s story is one of resilience. As a young street vendor in Lagos, she barely earned enough to survive. When she joined the My Own Business (MYOWBU) program—an initiative of Nestlé Professional aimed at developing small business owners—her fortunes began to change. She received a branded vending cart, mentorship, and basic business training. Within six months, Funmi’s daily sales doubled, allowing her to employ two other youths. “I used to think I’d be stuck in the same spot forever,” she says. “Now, I run a business that feeds my family and gives others hope.”
More Than Numbers: A Model for National Growth
Each of these stories reflects a broader pattern, youths moving from unemployment to stability, from dependency to self-sufficiency. In a country where, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 14.2% of young people (about 22 million) were neither in employment, education, nor training (NEET) in early 2025, Nestlé’s consistent interventions provide a model worth replicating.
Through initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP), a digital hub offering free courses, mentoring, and innovation challenges, over 5,000 participants in 2025 alone have completed training in leadership, business analytics, and communication. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 undergraduates across Nigeria participated in virtual internships under the Nesternship Program, gaining valuable experience in a hybrid work world.
Nestlé’s Community Scholarship Scheme, targeting science and technology students in its host communities, provided full tuition and living stipends to 80 students this year. Additionally, the Entrepreneurship Challenge held in Abuja in August 2025 gave 20 young innovators seed funding and mentorship to kick-start their ventures.
In total, these initiatives have contributed to a 100% average income increase among program graduates within one year of completion, proof that structured empowerment can yield measurable economic outcomes.
Investing in Skills, Changing Futures
Behind these life-changing programs lies significant investment. Over the years, Nestlé has injected more than ₦6 billion into youth skill development in Nigeria. These funds cover everything from modern training equipment to partnerships that ensure global-standard curricula and certifications.
But beyond the money, what truly distinguishes Nestlé’s approach is consistency. Even in challenging economic conditions, the company continues to expand its programs. Its collaboration with Alliance for Youth Nigeria, which includes partners like Jobberman and the UN Global Compact, reached over 25,000 young Nigerians in 2025 through employability training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support.
The results are tangible. With over 95% job placement for its TTC graduates and hundreds of micro-business owners emerging through MYOWBU, Nestlé has become a reliable ally in Nigeria’s battle against youth unemployment.
A Ripple Effect That Transforms Generations
The impact of Nestlé’s youth empowerment is not limited to the beneficiaries. Every empowered youth becomes a catalyst for change within their families and communities. Chinedu now sponsors his sister’s nursing education. Adaeze mentors young girls interested in STEM. Hassan supports his village’s electrification project. Funmi has become an employer.
These are not isolated stories—they represent a multiplying effect that drives economic resilience at the grassroots level.
The Bigger Picture
Experts believe Nigeria’s unemployment challenge cannot be solved by government alone. It requires sustained private-sector participation that connects learning with livelihood. Nestlé Nigeria’s programs demonstrate how corporate strategy can align with national development goals.
As Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Nestlé Nigeria’s Country Human Resources Manager, put it, “The Nestlé Technical Training Center is a cornerstone of our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, designed to empower young people through employability, skills development, and access to opportunities.”
This blend of vision and execution has positioned Nestlé as a model for effective corporate citizenship, where business success goes hand-in-hand with social progress.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 cohort steps into the workforce and new trainees begin their journey, Nestlé Nigeria continues to prove that empowering young people is not an act of charity—it’s an investment in the future. The company’s consistent record of impact shows what can happen when the private sector takes ownership of national challenges.
For thousands of Nigerian youth, the future is now brighter, their dreams more attainable, and their confidence stronger all because a company chose to believe that opportunity begins with one skill, one story, and one empowered life at a time.
Nestlé Nigeria is not just nourishing families; it’s nurturing the nation’s future, one youth at a time.