Trains 300 ‘My Own Business’ (MYOWBU) Operators in Lagos

Nestlé Professional has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating youth entrepreneurship, with a workshop in Lagos to upskill over 300 operators and attendants within its My Own Business (MYOWBU) program.MYOWBU is designed to empower young people across Central and West Africa by helping them establish sustainable careers in street vending. More than a vending initiative providing affordable beverage solutions such as NESCAFÉ and MILO enjoyed by millions of Nigerians every day, it is a sustainable means of livelihood for many young people seeking dignified work, financial independence, and a chance to build a better future. “We are excited to host this MYOWBU workshop in Lagos, bringing together hundreds of committed operators and attendants,” said Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional. “At the heart of this initiative is a belief in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives. This workshop is not just about technical skills, it’s about building confidence, nurturing ambition, and strengthening the community of young business leaders who represent our brands with pride and purpose.”With the goal of advancing operational excellence and sustainable growth, the workshop delivered focused training in business management, hygiene, food safety, waste management and customer service. Sessions were led by industry experts including Sulaimon Abolore, Assistant Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Ajibabi Awosika from Nestlé Nigeria. Mr. Abolore, Assistant Director Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and investment, Lagos State Government stated, “We are pleased to see this notable program organized by Nestle, especially as it focuses on generating employment for youth, taking them off the streets. This aligns with our efforts at the state government to ensure job creation and provide opportunities for those willing to work. We commend the positive impact that the My Own Business initiative has on the economy and applaud Nestlé for this investment.” The stories shared during the event were testaments to the program’s real-life impact. Adeosun Michael, recognized as the longest-serving MYOWBU operator after 20 years, shared: “MYOWBU transformed my life. I was able to leave the streets, build a home, and provide for my family. This journey has taught me that consistency and hard work pay off”. Joseph Abraham, now a Nestlé distributor, reflected: “I started as a pushcart operator. Today, I’m running my own Nestlé distribution business thanks to the foundation Nestlé helped me build. Dreams do come true.” During the workshop, e Nestlé introduced the Clean with MYOWBU initiative, geared towards mobilizing more than 132 attendants in Lagos to collect and recycle used NESCAFÉ and MILO wrappers, reinforcing Nestlé’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and circularity across its value chain. The program recovered 175.27kg of post use packaging waste. As the MYOWBU community grows stronger, so does its positive impact. What began with a few young poeple has evolved into a powerful model for sustainable entrepreneurship, and shared value creation. The program has created over 1,500 employment opportunities across Nigeria, equipping youth with fully branded pushcarts, shoulder kits, and essential start-up resources from Nestlé Professional. Nestlé Professional remains deeply invested in supporting the entrepreneurs, offering not just assets, but access, skills, mentorship, and a path to ownership.-end-About Nestle ProfessionalNestlé Professional is the Out-of-Home arm of Nestle and it focuses on providing innovative, high-quality food and beverage solutions to the out-of-home, or foodservice, industry in Nigeria. This division caters to a wide range of customers, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, offices, catering companies, coffee shops and other food service providers.Our Vision is “To be the trusted partner of choice in Out-of-Home, by providing Affordable & Nutritious Food and Beverage Solutions that help our customers win.About Nestlé NigeriaNestlé Nigeria is one of the largest food and beverage companies in Africa. The Company’s purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. For over 62 years of its operation in Nigeria, Nestlé has delighted consumers around Nigeria by consistently delivering high quality nutritious food and beverages under its iconic brands: MAGGI, MILO, GOLDEN MORN, NESTLÉ PURELIFE, CERELAC, NESCAFÉ and NIDO. With 3 manufacturing sites, 7 branch offices and a head office located in Lagos, Nestlé Nigeria is a force for good, helping to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of individuals and families to build thriving communities while taking action to protect the planet.

London, March 18th, 2025 – Verve International, Africa’s first and largest domestic payments scheme and a subsidiary of the Interswitch Group, has been named in the first-ever Global Payments Power 50 list by The Power 50, recognising the most innovative companies driving innovation and transformation in the global payments industry. Founded in 2018, The Power 50 shines a spotlight on those who are transforming financial services for the better and delivers ongoing support and development for participants. Bringing together a diverse yet interconnected community, the Payments Power 50 will serve as a reminder of the significant strides being made in the payments space. From established financial giants to rising fintech stars, the list will also include well-known influencers whose insights and contributions continue to inspire and challenge the industry. Since its launch in 2009, Verve has had a spectacular trajectory against daunting odds, carving an impressive niche for itself as Africa’s first world-standard EMV chip and PIN payments card, starting from Nigeria and expanding its issuance and acceptance across over 25 African Countries. Verve Payment Cards in Nigeria, Africa’s largest consumer market and its pioneer country of issuance have, to date, surpassed 70 million issued payment cards. Over the last few years, Verve has grown to become the payment card of choice across various tiers of banking service and particularly within the burgeoning fintech/neobank space in Nigeria. This growth has been driven by significant strategic partnerships across commercial and microfinance banking spheres, as well as fintechs, OFIs, and the public sector supported by sustained innovation and demonstrated understanding of the requirements of its local markets.As Africa’s premier and leading domestic payment cards scheme, Verve remains focused on addressing peculiar market challenges in Africa by providing secure and cost-effective payment options for individuals and businesses to exchange value, offering both virtual and physical cards that facilitate payment for an increasing number of international services in local currency. In the last three years, Verve has made significant progress in this regard, having achieved merchant acceptance with platforms such as Google, Spotify, Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Microsoft, Uber, and Flywire, to mention a few, underscoring a strong resolve to continue to drive relevant partnerships that provide its users in Africa with convenient opportunities to access global services in local denominations.”We are thoroughly delighted at Verve International and Interswitch with this global recognition on the Payments Power 50 list for 2025, as we continue to consolidate our delivery of global-standard payment solutions essentially tailored to economic and operational realities of the markets where we play across Africa, whilst leveraging value-adding partnerships that ensure we scale our impact and turbo-charge financial inclusion on the African continent. We are grateful to all our customers and partners, and indeed all our colleagues at Verve and Interswitch whose passion and consistent hard work have invariably facilitated global acclaim….” Stated Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director for Payment Cards and Tokens at Interswitch and CEO for Verve International.“Each year, The Power 50 celebrates the standout talent within the fintech community, showcasing ground-breaking companies and influential leaders from across the globe,” says Jason Williams, CEO of The Power 50. “Earning a place on The Power 50 is a testament to the impact individuals and businesses are making in shaping the future of fintech. It also serves as a trusted benchmark for excellence in the industry.” It would be recalled that Interswitch Group also achieved recognition in the 2022 Global Fintech Power-50, in its 20th anniversary year. The Payments Power 50 will be featured on www.thepower50.com, with honourees benefiting from exclusive content opportunities, networking events, and year-round industry engagement. Members of this 2025 inaugural cohort of The Payments Power-50 will be celebrated at the Payments Power 50 Launch Party in London at the Blue Marlin Ibiza on Wednesday, March 26, powered by The Power 50, Pay360, CCGroup, and Paymentology.

Six Stories, One Month of Transformation

Ramadan is a period that brings families and communities together in Muslim communities worldwide. It is a season that connects loved ones from Suhoor to Iftar, through shared moments and meals that nourish both body and soul.During this time, food is more than just a source of nourishment – it carries stories, evokes emotions, brings people closer, and creates enlightening moments. In this inspiring series by MAGGI titled Tales of Ramadan, five women embark on a month-long journey of transformation, discovering the perfect recipe for friendship and connection through six captivating stories.With a stellar cast that includes Rekiate Ibrahim-Attah, Ramadan Booth, Rabiu Rikadawa, and Uzee Usman, MAGGI Tales of Ramadan delivers captivating characters and delicious, unmissable storytelling for six weeks starting this Ramadan. As the characters navigate the highs and lows, they experience the power of food to heal emotional wounds, strengthen bonds, and preserve family tradition. These values are familiar to everyone and become even more profound as families and communities gather during Ramadan.Each episode highlights how the true spirit of Ramadan lies not in perfection but in love, meaningful connections, and the treasured memories shared during mealtime. Through unexpected moments of understanding, relationships are transformed, proving that friendship – like the perfect blend of spices – brings warmth and harmony to even the most stressful situations.Speaking on MAGGI’s commitment to connecting with its consumers during Ramadan, Category Manager for Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, Rahamatou Palm-Zakari said “Ramadan is a season of sharing, love and reflection; values which MAGGI also firmly represents. We are evolving from our much-loved series MAGGI Diaries to Tales of Ramadan which we are launching today. We remain as dedicated as we have been over the past ten years, to fostering meaningful connections with our consumers. Through our products and recipes, we’ll continue to support individuals and families to make healthier and tastier food choices every day.”Viewers can catch Tales of Ramadan across multiple terrestrial channels, on Africa Magic Hausa and on the MAGGI YouTube channel. As a brand committed to bringing people together through food, MAGGI believes in the power of great tasting food to nurture, inspire, and transform.MAGGI is an iconic brand from the stable of Nestlé, the Good Food, Good Life company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.