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How Nestlé and the Swiss Consulate in Nigeria are upskilling and creating job opportunities for Nigerian youth

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For the thirteenth consecutive year, Nestlé Nigeria has empowered more than twenty young Nigerians through the Technical Training program in its factory at Agbara. The participants received scholarships and training to attain the highly recognized City & Guilds certifications. In addition, the top five students were given the opportunity to conclude their training with an eight-week apprenticeship at two of Nestlé’s technical sites in Switzerland (Orbe and Broc). Equipped with their newly acquired skills, the graduating batch are ready to embark on their engineering careers with Nestlé in Nigeria. The Nestlé Technical Training Program in Nigeria is part of Nestlé’s global Needs YOUth initiative. Its objective across the three centres in Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate is to enhance the employability of young Nigerians by providing them essential skills in Mechanical, Electrical, and Automation Engineering. The Agbara training centre is run in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat of Migration (SEM).“Africa has the largest population of young people globally, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30,” commented Remy Ejel, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for Zone Asia, Oceania, and Africa. “It is crucial to help the younger generations reach their full potential and support economic growth by offering opportunities for skill development and employment. Nigeria is an important country to Nestlé. We’ve been there for more than 60 years and are proud of our contributions to its development. This partnership not only helps meet the demand for skilled labor in Nigeria but also supports the local economy and aligns with Nestlé’s broader objectives of enhancing youth employability.”Since its inception in 2011, the program has received an overwhelming response, with an average of 10,000 applications annually. Each year, up to 60 apprentices are selected through a rigorous assessment process to ensure quality training and personalized attention. The program includes 18 months of intensive theoretical and practical training for participants, who receive certifications in level 3, 4 and 5 of City & Guilds of London upon completion. Dolapo Adedoyin Okunola, 25, is a program graduate aspiring to become a Technical Manager. The highlight of her experience was participating in impactful projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and machine validations, while collaborating with a diverse and talented team. She also enjoyed the opportunity to learn basic French and explore the picturesque Swiss landscapes. “The Nestlé Technical Training Program has significantly enhanced my abilities and expanded not just my skills and academic knowledge but also my experiences of different cultures and languages,” Dolapo explained. “The comprehensive training I received in Nigeria, combined with my internship in Switzerland provides me a competitive edge in the corporate world. I am confident that this program has laid a strong foundation for my career.” The program not only enhances the technical skills of talented young Nigerians but also fosters cultural understanding and knowledge sharing between Switzerland and Nigeria.His Excellency Osuobeni Rawlings Krobari, Chargé D’Affaires of Nigeria to Switzerland and Liechtenstein added: “I am delighted to see the program’s success in enhancing the employability of young people in Nigeria. A skilled workforce is vital for our long-term growth. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduates on their achievements. I encourage them to view their new skills as not only a foundation for their careers but also an opportunity to be ambassadors for their generation, by sharing knowledge and best practices with their peers.”To date, the program has benefited close to 230 trainee graduates, with 98% securing employment at Nestlé Nigeria. Nestlé and SEM jointly invest in the program, reflecting their commitment to provide more economic opportunities to youth.Ms. Valérie Gass, Policy Advisor, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, said: “This program was launched the same year as the migration partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria, which aims, among other things, to create greater economic opportunities locally. The program is an excellent example of a successful Swiss public-private partnership that effectively addresses challenges and creates meaningful opportunities. We take great pride in this initiative and remain committed to supporting youth in Nigeria.”The Nestlé Technical Training Program consists of three programs run by Nestlé Nigeria in its factories in Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji. In 2024, a total of 70 top-performing young Nigerians from these programs completed apprenticeships. This initiative is just one example of how Nestlé is helping youth become more employable across Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Drawing inspiration from the Swiss dual education system to combine theoretical and practical training, Nestlé aims to create a positive impact in the countries where it operates by leveraging global expertise alongside local insights.The global Nestlé Needs YOUth program was launched in 2013 and aims to help 10 million young people around the world access economic opportunities by 2030. As part of this ambition, it aims to reach more than 5 million youth across Asia, Oceania and Africa.-end-About Nestlé NigeriaNestlé Nigeria is a leading food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations. With a wide range of products, including popular brands such as NESTLÉ PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, Nestlé Nigeria provides nutritious and delicious food and beverages to consumers across Nigeria.

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MILO Recovers over 1 Million Wrappers Through Elevate Recycling Initiative

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More than 60,000 children across 100 primary schools in Lagos State recovered over 1 million used MILO wrappers through the MILO Elevate Recycling Initiative to mark World Environment Day 2026. The Initiative combined sustainability education with a school-based recycling competition. In addition to the collection of used wrappers, the children received lessons on responsible waste management and practical exposure to recycling and circularity principles. For 26 years, MILO has contributed to youth development through grassroots sports programmes. Through the Elevate Recycling Initiative, the brand is extending its commitment to nurturing future champions beyond the values of sports, by helping children develop environmental awareness and positive sustainability habits. Speaking at the awards ceremony on World Environment Day, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Manager, MILO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, said, “At MILO, we believe that nurturing children includes helping them build the values, habits and mindset needed to thrive and make a positive contribution to society. Through the Elevate Recycling Initiative, we are encouraging children to understand that small everyday actions can create meaningful environmental impact. Just as we have inspired generations of future sports champions, we are proud to contribute to raising future climate champions.”Commenting on the initiative, Stephen Avoseh, Deputy Director of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said, “Implementing this initiative through schools creates an opportunity for children to learn about environmental responsibility and share these lessons with their families and communities. Schools play an important role in building lasting awareness and positive environmental habits.”The behavioural impact of the initiative was also evident among participating pupils. Treasure John told us that the programme deepened her understanding of how improper waste disposal contributes to environmental pollution and flooding, while encouraging her to adopt more responsible waste management habits.In a practical demonstration of how materials that might otherwise be considered as waste can be recovered and given a new purpose, the Rotaract District 9112 led an upcycling project that transformed the recovered wrappers into 1,013 items including school bags, lunch bags and pencil cases. These items were donated to participating schools and awarded to top-performing pupils. The success of the Elevate Recycling Initiative reinforces MILO’s conviction that deepening environmental education and encouraging responsible waste management practices among children and communities can support a circular economy. It also contributes to Nestlé Nigeria’s broader sustainability and circularity agenda to build the awareness, values and behaviours needed to achieve and protect a cleaner and more sustainable future.

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TomTom Continues to Back the Music Talents through its Youth Focus Initiatives

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Every year, World Music Day serves as a reminder of the powerful role music plays in shaping culture, identity, and human connection. In Nigeria, especially, music has become more than entertainment. It is how young people express themselves, tell their stories, build communities, and increasingly, create opportunities for globalrelevance.From Afrobeats becoming an international force to local sounds influencing popculture conversations across the world, Nigeria’s music industry has evolved into one of the country’s strongest cultural exports. But behind the success stories andchart-topping moments is a growing need to properly support the next generation of talents who will carry the industry forward.For years, TomTom has maintained a strong connection with Nigeria’s youth culture and entertainment scene, growing beyond a household menthol candy brand into one that naturally exists within music and pop culture conversations. From major concerts and live music experiences to youth-focused creative initiatives like; Trace the City, and the MTV Base Cypher, the brand has consistently shown up in spacesthat matter to young Nigerians.In recent time, that relationship with culture is evolving into something more intentional through initiatives like Breathe Academy, the Breathe For It Summit, andthe Breathe Through It Verse Challenge, platforms designed to support, inspire, and empower emerging music talents.As Nigeria’s music industry continues to gain global recognition, there is also growing awareness around the importance of mentorship, education, and access for emerging talents. While talent is abundant, many young creatives still struggle with understanding the business side of music and navigating the realities of an increasingly competitive industry.This is part of what makes initiatives like Breathe Academy relevant.TomTom’s online learning platform created to help aspiring artists and creatives better understand both the craft and business of music. At a time when many young talents are trying to navigate an increasingly competitive industry, access to practical knowledge and mentorship has become just as important as talent itself.Through curated learning sessions, industry-led conversations, and expert insights,participants gain exposure to areas like branding, music distribution, content creation, marketing, audience building, and career development. The platform is helping simplify industry knowledge in a way that feels practical, relatable, and accessible for young creatives trying to find their footing.Ahead of World Music Day, TomTom continues to strengthen its position as a Brant that understands and contributes to Nigeria’s music culture not only through entertainment experiences, but also by helping create opportunities for the next generation of artists, creators, and music entrepreneurs to grow and succeed

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MAGGI Strengthens Stakeholder Understanding of Food Quality and Safety Through Immersive Value Chain Engagements

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As part of activities marking World Food Safety Day, MAGGI engaged stakeholders across its value chain through a series of immersive experiences designed to deepen understanding of the journey from ingredients to table and reinforce the collective responsibility required to uphold food quality and safety.The engagements brought together suppliers, distributors, consumers, journalists, and digital content creators, reflecting MAGGI’s commitment to transparency and continuous stakeholder engagement. Through interactive sessions and firsthand experiences, participants gained valuable insights into the processes, partnerships, and standards that contribute to delivering quality products to millions of Nigerian households.During the engagements, suppliers explored MAGGI’s quality requirements and manufacturing standards, while distributors were engaged on best practices in product handling, storage, and warehousing to help maintain product quality throughout the distribution chain. Consumers also had the opportunity to interact directly with experts, ask questions, and learn more about the ingredients, processes, and expertise behind MAGGI products.The initiative culminated with a factory experience at Nestlé Nigeria’s Agbara Factory, where journalists and digital content creators followed the journey of a MAGGI cube from locally sourced Soya beans ingredients to finished product. Participants gained deeper insight into how soya beans sourced from Nigerian farmers are transformed through carefully controlled fermentation processes and advanced manufacturing technology to deliver the distinctive taste, quality, and consistency consumers associate with MAGGI.The experience also highlighted the connection between traditional African food preparation methods and modern food manufacturing. Participants explored how fermentation techniques used in MAGGI production draw inspiration from time-honoured practices familiar to many Nigerian consumers through local seasonings such as iru, dawadawa, and ogiri.A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity to observe the rigorous quality assurance and food safety systems embedded throughout the production process. From ingredient sourcing and testing to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, participants witnessed the extensive standards, continuous monitoring, and scientific expertise that help ensure product quality and food safety at every stage.Speaking on the initiative, Funmi Osineye, Category Manager, Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “MAGGI reaches millions of consumers through a value chain that includes farmers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, consumers, and many other partners. We believe quality and food safety are shared responsibilities, which is why we continuously engage stakeholders across the value chain to build understanding, strengthen collaboration, and provide greater visibility into the journey behind our products.””By opening our doors and creating opportunities for dialogue, we are helping stakeholders better understand the ingredients, expertise, and processes that contribute to the quality consumers have come to trust from MAGGI.”Also speaking, Talla Fall, Factory Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Agbara Factory, said: “At Nestlé, quality and food safety are embedded into every stage of our operations. From sourcing ingredients and testing raw materials to manufacturing and packaging, our teams work diligently every day to uphold the high standards that consumers expect from MAGGI. These engagements provide an important opportunity to demonstrate the care, expertise, and rigorous processes behind every product.”The programme also featured an interactive cooking session, where participants experienced the practical application of MAGGI products in everyday meal preparation. The session sparked engaging conversations around taste, quality, nutrition, and responsible product use, while allowing participants to experience the products firsthand.Through initiatives such as these, MAGGI continues to foster greater transparency, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and reinforce its commitment to delivering quality products that help consumers prepare tasty and nutritious meals every day.

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