Diageo Nigeria, in collaboration with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Government, has introduced a new youth empowerment initiative under its Learning for Life (L4L) programme. The scheme is designed to provide 250 young Nigerians, especially women and persons with disabilities (PwDs) with training and job opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
At the official launch in Lagos, Diageo Nigeria’s General Manager confirmed that the initiative is being rolled out for the first time in Nigeria, targeting unemployed youth from underserved communities across Lagos. According to the organisers, 60 per cent of participants will be women and 10 per cent will be PwDs.
The launch also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other stakeholders. The agreement reflects a joint commitment to workforce development, inclusion, and sustainable employment in the hospitality sector.
The L4L programme will equip participants with practical skills, real-world experience, and job-readiness through a combination of classroom learning and internships. Training modules cover entrepreneurship, bar and retail skills, teamwork, budgeting, and leadership. Social topics such as gender and disability inclusion, sexual harassment prevention, and responsible alcohol use are also included.
The Lagos State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, welcomed the partnership as a strong example of public-private collaboration. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged state sponsorship for an additional 250 youth beneficiaries, reinforcing the government’s focus on job creation and youth development.
Participants will undergo a one-week training (both online and in-person) beginning August 11, followed by an 11-week internship from September 1 to November 17 in leading hospitality venues across Lagos. Top-performing trainees may be offered full-time roles, while all participants will receive transport stipends and continued support via the Diageo Bar Academy platform.
Applications for the first cohort are open from July 14 to July 28. Interested candidates can apply at (http://bit.ly/3G6557) and find more information at (www.diageobaracademy.com )
