Nigerian Breweries, which is majority-owned by Dutch beer giant Heineken, has formed a partnership with non-profit organisation named FATE Foundation in an effort to boost Nigerian entrepreneurship.

The move, which will see the brewery supporting FATE Foundation’s Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme, will assist in empowering around 1,000 Nigerian students by helping to provide networking opportunities within Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The initiative sees ambassadors being selected from specific universities to inspire their peers to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path and to cultivate a culture of innovation within their universities.

Youth empowerment

Speaking about the partnership, Nigerian Breweries corporate affairs director Uzodima Odenigbo said: “This partnership reinforces Nigerian Breweries’ long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development.”

Odenigbo explained: “Through initiatives like this, we are creating pathways for the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Nigeria.”

According to the foundation, the programme is aimed at students aged 18-35 who are currently enrolled in tertiary institutions across Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu states.

A positive impact

Highlighting this point, Odenigbo also highlighted that, since revamping its focus on youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, Nigerian Breweries has positively impacted 2,365 young Nigerians in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

FATE Foundation executive director Adenike Adeyemi added: “Nigerian Breweries has been a long-time partner with Orange Corners Nigeria in various capacities. We are thrilled that the company continues to support the Orange Corners Programme and that this commitment will benefit an additional 1,000 young Nigerians by utilising the proven framework of the student ambassadors.”

Nigerian Breweries has recently seen its turnover lift by 48% in the third quarter coinciding with the business’s expanded consumer sales activities. The figures, which were for the nine-month period ended 30 September, showed that the company’s total revenue rose from NGN 703 billion in Q3 2024 to NGN1.04 trillion in Q3 2025.