Nestlé Nigeria's Flowergate Technical Training Centre has graduated 20 trainees, marking 15 years of its program. This initiative, backed by an investment exceeding N6 billion since its 2011 launch, has trained 309 young Nigerians across its Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji facilities.
The 18-month intensive program combines classroom learning with hands-on industrial training. Notably, about 98 percent of its graduates secure employment, often within Nestlé itself, addressing Nigeria's significant youth unemployment crisis and skills gap.
This success contrasts with the broader Nigerian context, where the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025 indicated nearly 80 million unemployed youth. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics also highlights persistent youth unemployment and underemployment, with many young Nigerians in unstable informal jobs.
Nestlé's demand-driven curriculum focuses on food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations, areas critical to its business and the industrial ecosystem. The program also includes the internationally recognized City and Guilds certification, enhancing graduates' competitiveness.
Wassim Elhusseini, Nestlé Nigeria's managing director and chief executive officer, stated that the initiative aligns with Nestlé's purpose to enhance quality of life. He emphasized the program's role in strengthening operations, building industry capabilities, and creating pathways for young Nigerians.
The program is part of Nestlé's global 'Nestlé Needs YOUth' initiative, launched in 2013, which aims to equip 10 million young people worldwide with employable skills by 2030. Nigeria's large youth population makes it a key focus for this ambition.
In parallel efforts, Mastercard, in partnership with Jobberman, hosted a Career Fair in Ibadan, Oyo State. This event aimed to connect job seekers with employers and equip young people with necessary tools, exposure, and networks.
Mastercard's Head of Youth Engagement, Nigeria, Innih Ikhide, highlighted that access remains a major barrier for many young Nigerians, and the platform seeks to increase visibility for opportunities.
Olugbenga Omotola, in his keynote, urged employers to look beyond academic qualifications and focus on potential and adaptability to build a competitive workforce.
Jobberman Nigeria's Country Head of Programmes, Olamide Adeyeye, identified a "visibility gap" as a critical challenge, where talented youth lack access to the right opportunities, and employers struggle to find suitable candidates.
The career fair offered on-the-spot interviews, career counselling, CV reviews, and networking opportunities, with a focus on inclusivity for women, persons with disabilities, and other underserved groups.
The Director at the National Directorate of Employment, Oke Adegboye, noted that such initiatives complement government efforts to reduce unemployment.
During a panel discussion, Alfred Atiba, Founder of TDC Group, stated that employers prioritize problem-solving, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence over technical knowledge alone.
Judith Abi, Country Operations Manager at Cenoa Nigeria, stressed the importance of professional networks, while Toluwanimi Olubanke, Product Marketing Manager at Esusurent, encouraged continuous skill development and self-awareness in a rapidly evolving job market.
