Nestlé Nigeria has concluded the 15th anniversary celebration of its Technical Training Initiative with the graduation of 20 trainees from its Abaji Factory Technical Training Centre. The event follows a similar ceremony recently held at the Flowergate Factory in Sagamu.
The milestone highlights the company’s sustained commitment to developing young Nigerians with technical and vocational skills aimed at improving employability, strengthening industrial capacity, and creating access to meaningful careers.
With an investment exceeding ₦6 billion, the programme—first launched at the Agbara Factory in 2011 and now expanded to Abaji and Flowergate—has trained hundreds of young Nigerians through a practical, skills-driven approach. The 18-month curriculum blends classroom instruction with hands-on experience in food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations, culminating in the internationally recognised City & Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification.
As part of its youth empowerment drive, Nestlé Nigeria has consistently offered employment opportunities to successful trainees, maintaining a record of transitioning about 98% of graduates from its Technical Training Centre into the organisation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, urged the graduates to approach the next stage of their careers with determination and resilience, noting that continuous learning and discipline remain essential for success in industry.
He said the skills acquired through the programme provide a solid foundation, but long-term achievement would depend on adaptability, commitment, and consistent performance.
Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Country Human Resource Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, described the initiative as a key driver of youth development and industry-ready skills acquisition. He noted that the centre has evolved from its Agbara base to become a strong talent pipeline for both Nestlé and the wider manufacturing sector, with support from partners such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), NECA, and the Swiss Embassy.
This year’s graduating class comprised 10 male and 10 female trainees, a balance that was commended as a strong symbol of inclusion in technical education.
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff, praised the equal gender representation, describing it as a powerful statement on opportunity and inclusion in technical professions.
Industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), City & Guilds representatives, community leaders from Abaji, and officials from relevant government ministries, also lauded Nestlé Nigeria for its continued investment in youth empowerment and skills development.
Since its inception, the Nestlé Technical Training Centre has produced 289 graduates and remains a core component of the company’s global youth initiative, Nestlé Needs YOUth, launched in 2013. The programme aims to reach 10 million young people globally by 2030 and includes initiatives such as Nesternship, the Nestlé Nigeria Youth Development Programme, and the Alliance for YOUth.
Nestlé Nigeria, with over 2,300 employees, three factories, and seven branch offices across the country, produces and markets brands including MAGGI, MILO, NESCAFÉ, Golden Morn, Nestlé Pure Life, and CERELAC, while continuing to invest in nutrition, community development, and environmental sustainability.
