Nestlé Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to youth empowerment and skills development following the graduation of 20 young Nigerians from the 8th cohort of its Nestlé Technical Training Centre in Agbara. The milestone is part of the company’s flagship Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative — a global programme launched in 2013 to help 10 million young people worldwide access economic opportunities by 2030.
At the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria said the initiative is transforming lives and building future industry leaders. “Each graduation ceremony is a privilege because it allows us to witness firsthand the life-changing impact of the Nestlé Technical Training Centre. Many of our graduates have gone on to build remarkable careers, including one who now serves as a Factory Engineer in Angola, and several others excelling as Engineering and Production Supervisors,” he stated.
He revealed that five of the graduating trainees have been selected for an eight-week internship in Switzerland this October, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nestlé and the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria. The internship, he explained, will provide the young engineers with global exposure and advanced technical experience.
Speaking on the broader impact of the initiative, Nestlé Nigeria’s Country Human Resources Manager described the Technical Training Centre as a cornerstone of Nestlé Needs YOUth. He explained that the programme empowers young Nigerians through four key pillars: employability, skills development, support, and access to opportunities.
Beyond the training centre, Nestlé has introduced complementary initiatives to strengthen youth participation in the workforce. These include the Nesternship Program, a virtual internship platform that offers young people remote practical experience, and the Nestlé Youth Development Program, which provides training and mentorship designed to enhance employability and prepare participants for careers in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.
The company emphasised that its investment in technical training and youth-focused initiatives reflects a broader vision to tackle unemployment, close skills gaps, and build a new generation of talent equipped to drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Since inception, the Nestlé Technical Training Centre has consistently produced highly skilled technicians who have secured employment within Nestlé’s operations and across the broader manufacturing sector, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
