Business and Brand
Nestlé Nigeria Invests Over 6 billion Naira in Youth Empowerment and Skill Development

Nestlé Nigeria underscored its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development at the recent graduation ceremony of ten young trainees from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, the company has invested over six billion naira in upskilling young Nigerians, demonstrating its dedication to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.
Graduating in the second stream of the seventh batch of the program, these young men and women completed an intensive 18-month program that blends theoretical and practical engineering education. This rigorous training, which culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly enhances the employability of the participants.
With this batch, the total number of graduates from the Agbara TTC this year reaches thirty, contributing to the over 190 young professionals who have completed the program since its inception. Notably, 97% of the program’s graduates have been employed within Nestlé Nigeria, illustrating the program’s success and impact.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, said, “Our investment in upskilling these bright young minds over the last 13 years not only reflects our firm belief in the potential of the next generation but our commitment to enabling them to thrive. By bridging the technical skills gap in the industry, we are not only enhancing the employability of our youth but also empowering them to achieve financial independence, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large. This is one of the ways we are creating shared value.”
Beyond the Technical Training Centre, Nestlé’s dedication to youth empowerment is also reflected in its broader youth engagement platform, Nestlé Needs YOUth. Launched in 2013, this initiative aims to help young people access economic opportunities, focusing on four pillars: getting them hired, skilled, supported, and providing them with more opportunities. Through various programs under this banner, Nestlé reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually.
Highlighting the significance of these efforts, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, the Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, stated, “We are playing our part to cushion the impact of economic challenges on the youth and prepare them for the future. Some of these initiatives include our Nesternship Program, Nestlé Youth Development Program, and our active participation in the Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative. In all, we reach over 25,000 youth annually.” He added that all graduates in this batch had also been employed by Nestlé Nigeria. “They have earned their place through dedication and excellence, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Nestlé family.”
In his address, delivered by the Director of State Schools Sports, Comrade Rotimi Okeleye Olarotimi, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, commended the Nestlé Technical Training Centre for its commitment to empowering young minds. He also applauded the efforts of the graduates: “To the graduands, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and you should be proud of your achievements. The skills and training you have acquired in the Nestlé Technical Training Centre is a powerful tool that can shape your future and open doors to new possibilities. I implore you to strive for excellence in all your endeavors and make a positive impact in your chosen field.”
Also present at the ceremony were His Excellency, the Alagbara of Agbara, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, and representatives from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the success of the Technical Training Program.
Business and Brand
Verve Expands Payment Frontiers with Global Partnerships and Contactless Innovation

Verve, Africa’s largest domestic payment card and token brand, has continued to strengthen its position as a leader in digital payments through a series of strategic partnerships and technological advancements. The brand remains committed to providing seamless and secure transactions across a growing network of acceptance points.As part of its global expansion, Verve has recently partnered with leading international and regional payment platforms, including Temu, AliExpress, PalmPay, and FortisPay. These integrations enhance Verve cardholders’ access to global e-commerce marketplaces and digital payment solutions, reinforcing the brand’s mission to facilitating easy transactions across borders.Building on this momentum, Verve has also accelerated its adoption of contactless payment solutions, strengthening its presence across key fintech and payment service provider platforms, including Opay, PalmPay, Global Accelerex, Interswitch, and Paystack terminals. This development aligns with the growing demand for faster, more secure digital payment methods, benefiting both merchants and consumers.Commenting on these milestones, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Verve International, stated:”At Verve, we remain committed to driving innovation in digital payments while ensuring our cardholders enjoy secure and hassle-free transactions. Our recent integrations with global e-commerce platforms and the growing acceptance of our contactless solutions reflect our dedication to advancing financial inclusion and enhancing payment experiences.”With over 75 million Verve cards issued to date, the brand continues to expand its footprint across ATMs, PoS terminals, online, agency banking outlets, e-commerce platforms, and mobile applications. As Verve consolidates its leadership in Africa’s payment ecosystem, it remains focused on delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower individuals and businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
Business and Brand
Over 35 million PalmPay Customers Now have Access to Verve-Powered Debit Cards

L-R: Chibuzor Mela, Head of Partnerships, Palmpay; Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, SANEF; Chika Nwosu, Chief Executive Officer, PalmPay Nigeria; Paul Ohakim, Vice President, Issuing & Acquiring (Africa), Verve International; Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay; Chidi Oluaoha, Divisional Head, Growth Marketing, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch; during the Official Launch of the Verve powered PalmPay DebitCard at the Tech Unite Africa event recently held in Lagos.
PalmPay, one of Africa’s fastest-growing fintech platforms, has collaborated with Verve, Africa’s largest domestic card scheme, to officially unveil its new Debit Card. This partnership aligns with Verve and PalmPay’s ongoing commitment to promoting a more financially inclusive economy by widening its reach and value in the digital payment ecosystem. With over 35 million users and a network of 1.1 million agents and merchants across Nigeria, PalmPay is building one of the continent’s most dynamic fintech ecosystems. The launch of its debit card represents a key milestone in PalmPay’s transformation from a mobile wallet and agent network into a comprehensive digital financial services provider – offering integrated solutions for payments, savings, credit, insurance, and now, card access.This collaboration also strengthens Verve’s commitment to meeting the evolving payment needs of Nigerians following its issuance of over 75 million cards in Nigeria alone, a remarkable achievement that highlights the trust Nigerians have placed in the Verve brand: And with collaborations like this, Verve does not seem to be slowing down.The PalmPay Debit Card, powered by Verve, is seamlessly integrated with the PalmPay wallet, combining the convenience of a traditional bank card with the speed and flexibility of a digital platform, and access to PalmPay’s unique financial ecosystem.Key Features include:● Zero maintenance fees● Easy in-app application and nationwide delivery● Exclusive cashback and merchant rewards● Full wallet integration, including access to high-yield savings (up to 16% APR, paid daily)● Seamless offline and online payments across the Verve networkThe card is accepted at all major payment terminals within Nigeria, offering both debit and contactless options. With this launch, PalmPay aims to redefine the everyday banking experience – making it more accessible, reliable, and rewarding.Alongside the standard debit card, PalmPay is also rolling out PalmPay Premium, a tailored offering for high-volume users. Benefits include:● A dedicated PalmPay Premium Card● Priority customer support● Higher transaction cashbacks and savings interest rates● Exclusive merchant rewards and advanced financial toolsThis premium service reinforces PalmPay’s commitment to empower users at every stage of their financial journey – from first-time account holders to high-earning professionals seeking more from their financial tools.“PalmPay is dedicated to using technology to broaden financial access,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria. “This collaboration enables us to offer secure, widely accepted payment cards integrated with the full power of PalmPay’s ecosystem. Together, we’re reshaping how Nigerians experience digital finance.”Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director of Verve International, added: “We are proud to partner with PalmPay on this important milestone. Our alliance with PalmPay reflects our shared mission of accelerating financial inclusion and delivering payment innovation that meets the needs of African consumers.”PalmPay Debit Cards, powered by Verve, will be widely accepted across Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Merchant Outlets, Digital and Online platforms, including Google, YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, Showmax, AliExpress, Temu, Prime Video, Facebook Ads, Microsoft, Uber, Flywire, among others, ensuring seamless transactions for users.
Business and Brand
Empowering Women in Tech: Glovo, She Code Africa, and Lagos State Celebrate FirstBootcamp Graduation with 100 women.

Top 2 Capstone Project Winners and Overall Best Graduating Students Recognized for
Innovation and Excellence
LAGOS, NIGERIA – March 2025 – Glovo, a leading multi-category app in partnership with She
Code Africa and the Lagos State Government—through the Ministry of Commerce,
Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, led by H.C Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, and the
Ministry of Science and Technology, led by H.C Dr. Olatubosun Alake—proudly celebrated the
graduation of 100 women from the Women in Tech Bootcamp. This transformative 12-week
program was designed to equip women with technical skills, mentorship, and career
development opportunities in the tech industry.
The graduation ceremony, held in March to commemorate Women’s Month, aligned with the
theme “Accelerate Action,” which emphasizes the need for swift and decisive steps toward
gender equality in STEM and beyond.
The Women in Tech Bootcamp provided participants with specialized training in Frontend
Development, Backend Development, and Mobile Development. In addition to technical training,
the program incorporated career coaching, soft skills workshops, and hands-on capstone
projects to prepare participants for real-world careers in tech. This holistic approach ensured
that participants not only gained technical expertise but also the confidence and resources
needed to navigate the tech industry successfully.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Lamide Akinola, General Manager of Glovo
Nigeria, emphasized Glovo’s commitment to driving diversity and inclusion. She stated:
“At Glovo, we believe that true innovation comes from diverse perspectives.
This bootcamp is just the beginning—one of our many steps in a long-term
commitment to empowering women in technology and creating more
inclusive opportunities in the industry. We are proud to champion diversity,
and this initiative is one of many to come as we continue to accelerate action
towards gender equity in STEM.”
A key highlight of the event was the Top 2 Capstone Project presentations, where outstanding
teams showcased innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges such as financial
literacy, food waste reduction, and academic productivity. These projects were judged based on
functionality, problem-solving approach, teamwork, and presentation skills.
The winning teams of the Backend and Frontend Capstone Project competition were:
- Group 1, led by Linda Gift Awo and Abisola Odusanwo, with team members:
- Aminat Ismaila
- Adebisi Adesanya
- Nafisat Akokhia
- Elizabeth Gabriel
Reflecting on their experience in the program and the capstone project, Linda Gift Awo and
Abisola Odusanwo, leaders of the winning group, shared:
“This bootcamp has been a game-changer for us. Not only did we gain
technical skills in backend development, but we also learned the power of
collaboration and problem-solving. Winning the Capstone Project competition
has given us the confidence to pursue careers in tech and contribute to
innovative solutions in our communities.”
Their project, titled Food Waste Management App, connects restaurants, grocery stores, and
individuals with surplus food to charities and food banks—promoting sustainability and social
impact.
The second runner-up for the Capstone Project presentation was Group 2, led by Shukurat
Akanbi and Melody Anaka, who emerged as first runners-up.
In her opening remarks, Omotola Spence, Expansion Manager at Glovo Nigeria, reflected on
the program’s broader impact:
“This graduation is not just a milestone—it’s a movement. The Women in
Tech Bootcamp represents Glovo’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in the
tech industry and accelerating action towards gender equity. We are proud of
the achievements of these 100 women and confident that they will drive
meaningful change in the digital economy.”
Ada Nduka Oyom, Founder and Executive Director of She Code Africa, added:
“At She Code Africa, our mission has always been to create pathways for
women to thrive in technology. The impact of this bootcamp goes beyond
technical training, it’s about building confidence, fostering community, and
accelerating action towards greater representation of African women in
STEM.”
In addition to the Capstone Project winners, the top two best-performing students were also
recognized for their excellence:
- Abisola Odusanwo, who scored over 90%
- Shukurat Akande, who scored over 80%
Abisola Odusanwo shared her excitement:
“Before this bootcamp, I never imagined myself writing code or building
applications. Now, I have the skills, mentorship, and network to thrive in the
industry. The support from Glovo, She Code Africa, and my peers has been
incredible, and I am excited for what’s next.”
Shukurat Akande expressed:
“This experience has helped me unlock new potentials. I feel more confident,
more capable, and more ready than ever to contribute meaningfully to the
tech ecosystem.”
Graduates will continue to receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to career
pathways through the She Code Africa community, thanks to Glovo’s ongoing support.
With the success of this inaugural program, Glovo awarded the winning Capstone Project team
monetary prizes, tech gifts, and other exciting rewards—reinforcing its commitment to fostering
gender inclusivity in tech. Glovo, She Code Africa, and the Lagos State Government reaffirm
their dedication to creating sustainable opportunities for women in technology, ensuring that this
initiative marks the beginning of a long-term movement toward inclusivity in the industry.
This program lays the groundwork for future collaborations, expanding access to digital skills
and creating more career pathways for women in tech.
About Glovo
Glovo is a pioneering multi-category app that connects users with businesses
and couriers, offering on-demand services from local restaurants, grocers,
supermarkets, and high-street retail stores. Founded in 2015 in Barcelona, Glovo
operates across 23 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Africa, with a vision to
build the largest online marketplace, giving everyone access to anything in their
city within minutes.
For more information, please visit: https://about.glovoapp.com/
About She Code Africa
She Code Africa is a community-driven organization focused on empowering and
supporting young girls and women across Africa in pursuing careers in
technology through training, mentorship, and community engagement.
For more information, please visit: http://www.shecodeafrica.org