Nestlé Nigeria has graduated 20 trainees from its Abaji Factory Technical Training Centre, marking the conclusion of activities commemorating the 15th anniversary of its Technical Training Initiative.
The graduation ceremony followed an earlier anniversary celebration held at the company’s Flowergate Factory in Sagamu and reaffirmed Nestlé’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with technical and vocational skills to improve employability and strengthen industrial capacity.
The company disclosed that it had invested over N6 billion in the initiative since its establishment at the Agbara Factory in 2011, with subsequent expansion to Abaji and Flowergate factories.
According to the company, the 18-month training programme combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical experience in food technology, engineering and manufacturing operations, leading to the internationally recognised City & Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification.
Nestlé also offered employment opportunities to the graduating trainees, continuing what it described as its long-standing practice of transitioning about 98 per cent of Technical Training Centre graduates into the company’s workforce.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, urged the graduates to embrace continuous learning and resilience as they begin their professional careers.
He said the manufacturing industry required discipline, innovation and excellence, adding that the skills acquired during the programme would provide a strong foundation for future growth.
“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,” he said.
Country Human Resource Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, Shakiru Lawal, said the initiative had produced 289 graduates since inception and remained a major component of the company’s youth development strategy.
He described the training centre as a reliable talent pipeline for both Nestlé and the wider manufacturing sector, noting that partnerships with the Industrial Training Fund, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Swiss Embassy had strengthened the programme.
Lawal added that the initiative was designed to prepare young Nigerians for the future of work through industry-led skills development and workplace readiness.
The graduation ceremony also highlighted gender inclusion, with 10 young men and 10 young women among the graduates.
Speaking at the event, Patrick Egloff, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, commended the equal gender representation, describing it as a strong statement about inclusion and opportunity in technical education.
Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with Nestlé in support of technical skills development in the country.
Representatives of community leaders, government ministries and industry partners also commended the company for its sustained investment in youth empowerment, technical education and community development.
The Technical Training Initiative forms part of Nestlé Needs YOUth, the company’s global youth development programme launched in 2013 to equip young people with skills, experience and employment opportunities. Other programmes under the initiative in Nigeria include the Nestlé Nigeria Youth Development Programme, Nesternship and Alliance for YOUth.
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