In a renewed show of commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods, Nestlé Professional has trained over 300 young Nigerians in Lagos under its flagship initiative, My Own Business (MYOWBU). The program is part of a broader regional effort by Nestlé to support youth entrepreneurship across Central and West Africa through mentorship, capacity building, and sustainable enterprise development.
The MYOWBU initiative equips participants to run street vending businesses using branded pushcarts and kits that offer popular beverages like NESCAFÉ and MILO. But more than just product sales, the programme represents a pathway to economic independence, providing dignified work and long-term business opportunities for youth in underserved communities.
At the Lagos training workshop, the business manager of Nestlé Professional emphasised the deeper impact of the programme, explaining that MYOWBU fosters not just skills, but ambition, confidence, and community among young entrepreneurs who represent Nestlé’s brands with pride and purpose.
The initiative has gained support from local authorities. A representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative Trade and Investment praised the programme as a vital intervention that aligns with state objectives on youth employment and economic inclusion. According to him, initiatives like MYOWBU create real opportunities that move young people off the streets and into productive enterprise.
The workshop also celebrated success stories from within the programme. One participant, who has been part of MYOWBU for two decades, shared how the initiative helped him build a home and provide for his family. Another, who began with a pushcart, now runs a Nestlé distribution business — a transformation he credited to the foundation laid by MYOWBU.
Nestlé also launched an environmental component at the event — the ‘Clean with MYOWBU’ campaign. This sustainability drive engages participants in collecting and recycling used product wrappers. With over 132 attendants mobilized, the initiative has recovered more than 175 kilograms of post-consumer waste, contributing to Nestlé’s circular economy goals.
Since its inception, MYOWBU has created over 1,500 job opportunities across Nigeria. Participants receive branded carts, start-up stock, training, and continuous mentorship; ensuring not just business start-up, but long-term business sustainability and growth.
