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Interswitch Strengthens Connection and Mentorship Among Developers at ‘Coded Meetup’ in Lagos

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L–R: Ayomide Awe, Chief Technical Officer, Termii; Oche Omale, Divisional Head, Engineering, Payment Processing & Switching (Interswitch Purepay); Opeyemi Folorunsho, Vice President, Engineering Research and Development, Moniepoint; and Abdul-Hafiz Ibrahim, Divisional Head, Engineering, Commercial Inclusion (Interswitch inclusio), at the recent Coded Meetup organised by the Interswitch Developer Community, held at the Interswitch Innovation Hub, Lagos.

Interswitch, one Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, through its Interswitch Developer Community, recently hosted the Coded Meetup at the Interswitch Innovation Hub, Lagos. The vibrant social and learning experience brought together developers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts from across Africa to connect, collaborate, and learn within the continent’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Designed to bridge the gap between coding and community, the Coded Meetup created an environment where professionals and aspiring tech talents could move beyond their screens to share experiences, exchange insights, and build lasting relationships. More than a meetup, it served as a platform to spark conversations on engineering excellence, innovation, and mentorship, reinforcing Interswitch’s commitment to empowering Africa’s growing community of tech builders.

The evening featured two engaging panel sessions where seasoned industry leaders shared insights drawn from their journeys, exploring topics such as distributed systems, artificial intelligence, and scalable solution design. Discussions also touched on the importance of community-driven learning, ethical AI use, and how mentorship can help developers future-proof their careers in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Commenting on the significance of the Coded Meetup, Muyiwa Asagba, Managing Director, Commercial Inclusion (Interswitch Inclusio), emphasized that the initiative reflects Interswitch’s ongoing commitment to empowering Africa’s tech ecosystem through mentorship and knowledge-sharing.

At Interswitch, we’ve always believed that Africans should solve Africa’s problems, because no one understands the nuances, challenges, and opportunities of our continent better than we do. But solving these problems requires more than just talent; it takes the right motivation, mentorship, and community. That is why we created the Interswitch Developer Community, to empower developers with the right skills, knowledge, and connections they need to build solutions that truly make a difference. When we invest in people, we invest in Africa’s future,” he noted.

Beyond the conversations, the meetup provided a lively social atmosphere where attendees engaged in interactive Q&A sessions, shared personal experiences, and networked with peers and mentors over light refreshments. The evening struck a perfect balance between learning and leisure, inspiring collaboration while strengthening bonds within the developer community.

The Interswitch Developer Community is a sustained initiative dedicated to nurturing Africa’s pool of tech talent through mentorship, collaboration, and capacity-building. Through activities like the Coded Meetup, Interswitch continues to reinforce its role as a catalyst for innovation, driving inclusion, knowledge sharing, and empowerment across Africa’s technology and fintech ecosystems.

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Plateau Grocery Seller Wins ₦5 Million as Golden Morn Golden Hunt Rewards Nigerians

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A small-scale grocery seller from Plateau State, Ejiofor Akujieze, has emerged the grand prize winner of ₦5 million in the Golden Morn Golden Hunt, a nationwide consumer campaign by Nestlé Nigeria that rewarded Nigerians with a total of ₦80 million in cash and prizes.Akujieze, who expressed surprise at his win, described the moment as life-changing. “It came as a shock to me. I won ₦5 million, and it will go a long way. I am very grateful,” he said, noting that the prize will support the expansion of his grocery business.The Golden Morn Golden Hunt, which commenced in January 2026, recorded strong participation from consumers across the country, with over 200,000 entries received. Designed around Golden Morn’s smaller, affordable pack sizes to encourage wider participation, the campaign made it easier for more Nigerians to take part. At the end of seven draws, a total of 16,324 winners emerged, receiving cash prizes ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦1 million, alongside airtime rewards and exciting items such as washing machines, MacBooks, iPhones, and 55-inch televisions, in addition to the grand prize.Speaking on the campaign, Omofasa Orhiunu, Category Manager, Healthy Cereals at Nestlé Nigeria, said the initiative was designed to connect more closely with consumers while giving them an opportunity to experience the brand.“Golden Morn has been part of everyday life for Nigerian families, and with the Golden Hunt, we wanted more people to experience that,” he said. “It gave both our loyal consumers and new ones the opportunity to enjoy a nourishing product that fits into their daily routines, while also being rewarded in a simple and accessible way.”Also speaking, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, said the campaign reflects the company’s commitment to creating value for consumers beyond its products.“For over 40 years, Golden Morn has been nourishing Nigerian families and earning their trust,” he said. “The Golden Hunt was our way of recognising that trust and giving back in a way that is meaningful and inclusive. What has been most inspiring are the real stories behind the wins, how this has made a difference in people’s lives. That is what truly matters to us.”Golden Morn, a cherished homegrown brand, continues to provide wholesome nourishment made from carefully selected grains. It is enriched through its Grain Smart blend, which combines essential vitamins and minerals to support energy and overall wellbeing for individuals and families.Through initiatives like the Golden Hunt, Nestlé Nigeria continues to strengthen its connection with consumers while delivering on its commitment to providing accessible, nutritious food and supporting thriving communities across the country.

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Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates 15 Years of Impact with 20 Graduates fromFlowergate Technical Training Centre

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Nestlé Nigeria is celebrating 15 years of impact with the graduation of twenty young
trainees from the Flowergate Technical Training Centre. This milestone reinforces
the company’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through the
development of technical and vocational skills among young Nigerians.

The Nestlé Technical Training Centre is part of Nestlé Needs YOUth, Nestlé’s global
youth initiative launched in 2013 to equip young people with skills, experience, and
opportunities to access meaningful employment, with a goal of reaching 10 million
youths worldwide by 2030.

Since its establishment in 2011 at Agbara Factory, the Nestlé Technical Training
Centre has equipped 309 young Nigerians with hands-on technical and vocational
skills across its three locations in Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji. With an investment
of over ₦6 billion, the programme delivers an intensive 18-month curriculum that
combines theoretical learning with practical engineering training.
The curriculum provides comprehensive instruction in food technology, engineering,
and manufacturing operations, equipping trainees with the technical expertise
required to thrive in today’s industrial environment. This culminates in the
internationally recognized City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification,
significantly enhancing participants’ employability within Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the alignment of the
initiative with Nestlé’s core purpose “At Nestlé, our purpose is to unlock the power of
food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. It is
this purpose that drives initiatives such as this. Through the Nestlé Technical
Training Centre, we are investing in the future of our industry, our communities, and
the thousands of talented young Nigerians ready to grow and excel. Over the past 15
years, we have seen firsthand how this pipeline of talent has strengthened our
operations, built critical capabilities within the industry, and created meaningful

pathways for young people to thrive. We remain firmly committed to continuing this
journey, expanding opportunities, deepening impact, and empowering the next
generation of skilled professionals who will shape the future of our industry and our
nation’’

The Country Human Resource Manager Shakiru Lawal, highlighted Nestle’s broader
impact of the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative under “At Nestlé, our youth development
work across Central and West Africa is guided by a simple belief: unlocking potential
through skills, opportunity, and real pathways to work. Through structured training,
apprenticeships, and strong industry partnerships, we are helping young people build
the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce while also strengthening the
future of our industry. In Nigeria, this commitment comes to life through the Nestlé
Technical Training Centres. With an impressive 98% of graduates moving into
employment within Nestlé, the programme has become a key talent pipeline for the
business. Most importantly, it reflects our purpose of creating shared value through
industry knowledge, practical skills, and meaningful job opportunities.

In his speech, the valedictorian of the graduating set, Mr. Samuel Oladokun, spoke
on behalf of his fellow graduates, sharing a powerful testimony of the programme’s
impact “This training has gone far beyond building our technical skills. It has shaped
our discipline, strengthened our confidence, and prepared us in a real and practical
way for for us to perform in demanding industrial environments. As graduates, we
are leaving this Centre not only with technical competence, but also with a stronger
sense of responsibility, teamwork, and professionalism. We are grateful for the
opportunity we have been given, and we step forward with confidence, ready to
contribute meaningfully, grow in our careers, and make a positive impact wherever
we find ourselves.”
His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount
Ruler of Remo Land, who was ably represented at the event commended the
initiative for its positive impact on local communities and reaffirmed the support of
the community in sustaining such developmental programmes.
Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, Commissioner for Education, Science and
Technology, Ogun State, also commended Nestlé Nigeria for its continued support of
government efforts in youth empowerment and skills development.
Other distinguished guests present at the ceremony included Regional Human
Resource Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Antoinette Arkoh, Hon Wasiu Isiaka
Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ogun State, Ms. Conny
Camenzind, Consul General of Switzerland as well as representatives from the
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative

Association (NECA), and the Alliance for Youth initiative. They commended the
progress of the programme and reaffirmed their continued support for its success.
The Nestlé Technical Training Initiative remains a key pillar of Nestlé Needs YOUth
in Nigeria, a global initiative focused on capacity building for young people. Other
programmes under this umbrella include the Nestlé Nigeria Youth Development
Programme, Nesternship, and the Alliance for YOUth, all aimed at improving
employability and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive.
l-End-  
 
About us:  
Nestlé Nigeria is Africa’s top food and beverage company, known for its quality,
excellence, and commitment to creating shared value. With a heritage of more than
63 years in Nigeria and its house-hold brands, the firm continues to ensure the
availability and accessibility of nutritious food and beverage products. In addition, the
firm supports the communities closest to its operations and takes action to safeguard
the environment through sustainable business practices.  
With over 2,300 direct employees, 3 factories and 7 branch offices across Nigeria,
Nestlé produces and markets iconic brands including Maggi, Milo, Golden Morn,
Nestlé Pure Life and Cerelac.

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Nestlé Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Partner to Establish Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre

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Nestlé Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Partner to Establish Dairy Technical Skills Development CentreNestlé Nigeria Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to establish a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, as part of efforts to strengthen technical capacity, improve milk quality, and enhance productivity within Nigeria’s dairy sector.

The Centre, to be located at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm, builds on the company’s ongoing Livestock Development Project (NLDP). It reflects a deliberate progression of interventions, from the launch of the Demonstration Farm in 2025 to the signing of a Letter of Intent on World Milk Day 2025. Together, these milestones signal the transition from pilot initiatives to full implementation and a more structured, scalable approach to skills development across the dairy value chain.The collaboration will deliver structured training programmes and targeted interventions focused on:• Strengthening on-farm practices across milk production, processing, hygiene, and farm management• Developing industry-relevant technical skills in collaboration with key stakeholders• Improving value chain coordination and milk quality outcomes across local dairy clustersSpeaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said, “At Nestlé, we have been working over the years to strengthen the dairy value chain in Nigeria. What we have seen is clear, when capability improves, outcomes follow. This partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development allows us to expand the reach of our structured approach to building the skills required to improve productivity, enhance quality, and support long-term sustainability in the sector.”He added that the company’s investment in dairy development has consistently focused on creating shared value for communities while supporting the growth of a resilient local supply base.Since 2019, the Nestlé Livestock Development Project has been working with dairy communities in Nigeria to improve milk quality, increase productivity, and strengthen livelihoods. To date, the initiative has established 83 dairy cooperatives, benefiting over 3,000 milk producers and aggregating more than 1 million litres of raw milk. More than 2,000 pastoralists have been trained, over 36,744 cattle vaccinated, and key infrastructure introduced to support production.Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, said: “Nigeria’s dairy sector holds significant potential, but unlocking it requires stronger technical capability across the value chain. This partnership represents a practical step towards improving productivity and quality, and I commend Nestlé Nigeria for their continued commitment and proven track record through the Nestlé Livestock Development Project, demonstrating what is possible when the right systems are in place. At the Ministry, we are committed to creating an enabling environment that supports investments such as this, ensuring that policy and partnerships work together to drive meaningful impact and build a more resilient and competitive dairy industry.”The Minister noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Dairy Policy under the National Development Plan, which aims to catalyse growth in the livestock and dairy sectors while enhancing food security and economic opportunity.Following the signing of the MoU, both parties will move into implementation, including finalizing the training framework, preparing the site at the Demonstration Farm, and commencing phased rollout of the programme in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.The Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre will provide a structured platform for training and capacity building, with a focus on developing mid-level technical skills that are critical to the long-term sustainability of the sector. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with national standards and industry needs.By scaling proven interventions and strengthening technical capability, the partnership contributes to building a more resilient dairy sector that supports livelihoods, strengthens local prod

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