By Peace Udugba
Nestlé Nigeria has concluded the 15th anniversary celebrations of its Technical Training Initiative with the graduation of 20 young trainees from its Abaji Factory Technical Training Centre, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, skills development, and industrial capacity building in Nigeria.
The Abaji graduation follows a similar ceremony recently held at the company’s Flowergate Factory in Sagamu, bringing a fitting close to a milestone year for one of Nestlé’s flagship technical education programmes.
Launched in 2011 at the Agbara Factory and now expanded to Abaji and Flowergate, the Technical Training Centre has, over the past 15 years, invested more than ₦6 billion in equipping young Nigerians with hands-on technical and vocational skills. The programme has produced 289 graduates to date, many of whom have transitioned into meaningful careers within Nestlé and the wider manufacturing sector.
Delivered through an intensive 18-month curriculum, the training combines classroom instruction with practical, on-the-job experience in food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations. Graduates also earn the internationally recognised City & Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, strengthening their competitiveness in both local and global labour markets.
In continuation of its talent pipeline strategy, Nestlé Nigeria offered employment opportunities to the graduating trainees, maintaining a remarkable transition rate of approximately 98% of Technical Training Centre graduates into its workforce.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, commended the graduates for their resilience and dedication:
“As you graduate today, you are stepping into an industry that depends on skill, discipline, innovation, and excellence. The skills you have gained through this programme provide a strong foundation, but your success will depend on your willingness to keep learning, adapting, and applying yourselves. Do not be discouraged by the challenges ahead.
Every meaningful career is built step by step, through resilience, curiosity, and consistent performance. We are proud of what you have achieved and confident that you will make valuable contributions to Nestlé, the industry, and the country.”
Highlighting the broader impact of the initiative, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resource Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, described the programme as a long-term investment in youth employability and industrial development:
“At Nestlé, youth development is not a one-off intervention; it is a sustained commitment to building skills, expanding opportunity, and preparing young people for the future of work. The Technical Training Centre, which has grown from Agbara to Abaji and Flowergate, continues to serve as a strong talent pipeline for our business and the wider manufacturing sector.
Through our partnerships with ITF, NECA, and the Swiss Embassy, we are equipping trainees with the exposure, confidence, and workplace readiness required to thrive.”
This year’s graduating class reflects Nestlé Nigeria’s continued emphasis on inclusion, with 10 male and 10 female trainees completing the programme. His Excellency Mr. Patrick Egloff, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, praised the gender balance, describing it as a strong statement on equality and the future of technical professions:
“One of the most inspiring aspects of today’s ceremony is the clear demonstration that technical excellence belongs equally to young women and young men. The equal representation we see among the graduates today is a powerful message about inclusion, opportunity, and the future of technical professionals.”
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), represented by its Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, who reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with Nestlé Nigeria in advancing skills development and workforce readiness.
Representatives from City & Guilds and other partner institutions also commended the initiative, noting its strong alignment with global standards in technical education and workforce development.
Community leaders, including representatives of the traditional leadership of Abaji and officials from relevant ministries, including Youth and Education, lauded Nestlé Nigeria for its sustained investment in human capital development and community empowerment.
The Technical Training Initiative remains a core pillar of Nestlé Needs YOUth, the company’s global youth empowerment programme launched in 2013, which aims to help young people access employment and build sustainable careers. Globally, the initiative targets reaching 10 million young people by 2030. In Nigeria, complementary programmes such as Nesternship, the Nestlé Nigeria Youth Development Programme, and the Alliance for YOUth continue to expand opportunities for skills acquisition and employability.
With over 63 years of operations in Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria continues to strengthen its role as one of the country’s leading food and beverage companies. Through iconic brands such as MAGGI, MILO, NESCAFÉ, Golden Morn, Nestlé Pure Life, and CERELAC, the company remains committed to creating shared value by improving nutrition, supporting communities, and advancing environmental sustainability.
Nestlé Nigeria operates three factories and seven branch offices across the country and employs more than 2,300 people directly, reinforcing its position as a key driver of industrial growth and youth development in Nigeria.
