By Elvis Eromosele
In modern-day Nigeria, over 70 per cent of the population is below 30 years of age. Development experts claim that the country’s huge youth population may well be its greatest asset. Sadly, it may also be its biggest challenge. With millions of young Nigerians entering the labour market each year, the issue of how to equip them with the right skills, tools, and opportunities has never been more urgent.
Nestlé Nigeria, through its youth empowerment programmes, appears to be rising to the challenge. Its programmes, which cut across various initiatives, not only complement the skills gap but also open doors to dreams, creation, and achievement for young people. From technical on-the-job training to entrepreneurship mentoring and agricultural innovation, Nestlé’s initiatives are igniting possibilities for a generation that must not be left behind.
At the heart of Nestlé Nigeria’s youth-focused approach is its global program, Nestlé Needs YOUth, launched in 2013. The program aims to empower 10 million young people globally to access economic opportunities by 2030. In Nigeria, the program is making robust, tangible impacts.
One of those shining examples is Nestlé Nigeria’s Technical Training Program at its Agbara Factory. Now in its 13th year, the program combines classroom instruction with on-the-job and hands-on training in mechanical, electrical, and automation engineering, mimicking Switzerland’s dual-education system. The trainees attain international certifications from City & Guilds, and 98 per cent find employment, many of whom end up in Nestlé itself.
For 2024 graduate Dolapo Adedoyin Okunola, the experience was life-altering. Her exceptional performance qualified her for a prized eight-week internship at Nestlé’s state-of-the-art plants in Switzerland. In her words, “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.” The 25-year-old programme graduate aspires to become a technical manager.
The program is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), and it showcases the power of international collaboration. “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,” according to SEM’s policy advisor Valérie Gass.
Nestlé’s empowerment model does not stop at formal training. It goes to the streets, as literally as one can imagine, with its My Own Business (MYOWBU) initiative led by Nestlé Professional. This street-vending business initiative is empowering over 1,500 Nigerian youths with start-up kits, branded carts, and economic autonomy.
Nestlé recently hosted a MYOWBU workshop in Lagos to educate more than 300 business operators and attendants on business management, hygiene, waste disposal, and customer service. According to Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Nestlé Professional Business Manager, “This workshop is not technical skills, it’s about confidence building, ambition building, and empowering a group of young leaders who take pride in promoting our brands.”
Testimonies on the day were moving and motivating. Adeosun Michael, the longest-serving MYOWBU operator, reflected: “MYOWBU transformed my life. I was no longer on the street, I had a place to call home, and now I am able to sustain my family.” Similarly, Joseph Abraham, who started out as a pushcart seller, is currently a Nestlé distributor. “Dreams do come true,” he smiled recalling the journey from street operator to entrepreneur.
While agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of the Nigerian economy, Nestlé is looking to the future with an investment in the future generation of farmers through its Nestlé Needs YOUth in Agriculture initiative. The program promotes regenerative agriculture, and farming practices that improve soil health, increase yields, and enhance sustainability.
By providing young farmers with new approaches and sustainable agriculture, Nestlé is not only creating employment but also assuring future food systems. It’s empowerment that touches lives and livelihoods.
With UNESCO, Nestlé is also supporting 100 youth-led projects worldwide, including in Nigeria, that are in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include agricultural innovations, clean energy, and digital learning, all aimed at supporting self-employment and community development.
Nestlé’s commitments to youthfulness and the planet are complementary. During the MYOWBU workshop, the company unveiled the Clean with MYOWBU initiative, which mobilized over 130 people in Lagos to collect and recycle NESCAFÉ and MILO packaging. The campaign gathered 175.27kg of post-consumer packaging, showing Nestlé’s attention to environmental stewardship and circular value creation.
What makes Nestlé’s approach so compelling is that it is integrated. Whether it’s in-classroom education, entrepreneurship coaching, or on-the-ground agriculture, the objective in every case is the same: to develop a capable, competent, and self-reliant next generation of Nigerians.
As successful as Nestlé’s interventions are, the scale of Nigeria’s youth employment crisis calls for even broader coordination. Government ministries, private sector companies, and development partners must collaborate to:
- Boost access to vocational and technical training
- Increase funding for youth-owned enterprises
- Increase apprenticeship programmes across sectors
As Mr. Sulaimon Abolore, Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, summarized: “We are pleased to see this notable program organised by Nestle, especially as it focuses on generating employment for youth, taking them off the streets. This aligns with our efforts at the state government to ensure job creation and provide opportunities for those willing to work. We commend the positive impact that the My Own Business initiative has on the economy and applaud Nestlé for this investment.”
Nestlé Nigeria’s youth empowerment programs are not just corporate social responsibility, but a model for sustainable change. By equipping young people with hands-on skills, functional business tools, and global exposure, Nestlé is building the next generation of innovators, employees, and leaders.
For the thousands of young Nigerians who have passed through its programmes, Nestlé’s support has not just opened doors, it has changed destiny. For others still waiting to be offered an opportunity, it is hope. And for the country as a whole, it is certain that when you invest in the youth, you invest in progress.
Elvis Eromosele, a corporate communications professional and sustainability advocate, wrote via elviseroms@gmail.com.
