Ngozi Okpalakunne
In a day filled with memories, Nestlé Nigeria recently celebrated the first graduation of 20 young men and women from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Flowergate, Agbara.
The graduates were trained for I8 months on skill that blends theoretical and practical engineering education.
The event was a remarkable occasion as it demonstrated Nestle commitment to youth empowerment and skill development in Nigeria.
Recalled that the Flowergate TTC, Agbara, Ogun State, was commissioned in 2023 as part of Nestlé Nigeria’s broader technical training initiative, which has been running since 2011.
Since its inception, the programme is said to have empowered over 200 young Nigerians including men and women who have completed the 18-month curriculum.
Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, who spoke at the event, lauded the graduates for their accomplishments and expressed gratitude over his organisation’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
According to Elhusseini, such commitment has reflected their confidence in the future of this generation.
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In his words: “This year alone, we proudly graduated 70 skilled professionals across all our centers, including ; Agbara and Abaji, all of whom have now joined our team. For us, this programme is more than just skills training—it’s about empowering young people to shape their futures and become catalysts for change.
“By equipping them with critical technical expertise, we are opening doors to personal growth and financial independence. Ultimately, this is a long-term investment in creating shared value, as their success extends beyond themselves, impacting their families, strengthening communities, and driving growth in the industry.”
The Technical Training Programme combines theoretical learning with hands-on engineering experience and culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly boosting the employability of the participants.
It is worthy to note that the ceremony was attended by prominent community leaders, including His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, who applauded the initiative.
Other distinguished guests included the President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir; among others.
Besides the Technical Training Centre, Nestlé’s dedication to youth enablement is also reflected in its broader youth engagement platform, “Nestlé Needs Youth”.
The platform was commissioned in 2013, this initiative aims to help young people access economic opportunities, focusing on four pillars which include; getting them hired, skilled, supported, and providing them with more opportunities. Through various programmes under this banner, Nestlé reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually.
However, Nestlé Nigeria is said to have Invested Over 6 billion Naira in Youth Empowerment and Skill Development
