The 8th Cohort Completes Intensive Technical Program, Securing Global Certifications and International Internships
Agbara, Ogun State – Nestlé Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to addressing youth unemployment and fostering industrial growth with the graduation of twenty talented young professionals from the 8th cohort of its Nestlé Technical Training Centre in Agbara. This milestone is a key part of the global Nestlé Needs YOUth program, which aims to unlock economic opportunities for 10 million young people worldwide by 2030.
Since its establishment in 2011, the Agbara Technical Training Centre has invested over ₦6 billion to equip young Nigerians with high-demand, hands-on skills in food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations.
The latest graduates completed an intensive 18-month curriculum culminating in the prestigious City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, which significantly boosts their employability both locally and internationally.
Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the program’s transformative impact: “These achievements go far beyond individual success, they uplift families, strengthen communities, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.”
He proudly announced that five outstanding graduates from this class will embark on an eight-week internship in Switzerland this October. This exclusive opportunity, facilitated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, will provide the graduates with valuable global exposure and allow them to sharpen their technical expertise.
The Nestlé Technical Training Center model is highly successful, having trained over 200 young professionals across its three Nigerian locations (Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji). Impressively, 95% of the alumni have successfully secured employment with Nestlé Nigeria, transitioning immediately into practical engineering and production roles.
Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resources Manager, explained that the Technical Training Centre is a cornerstone of the broader Nestlé Needs YOUth strategy. This strategy encompasses initiatives like the Nesternship Program (a virtual internship), the Youth Development Program, and the collaborative Alliance for Youth Nigeria, which collectively reach an average of 25,000 young people annually.
Commending the effort, the Director-General of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, stated that the program “reaffirms our belief that skills are the future of work.” His Royal Highness, the Alagbara of Agbara, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, also encouraged the graduates to “lead by example and inspire others.”
With every graduating class, the Nestlé Technical Training Centres continue to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial workforce, equipping young people to build sustainable careers and drive national economic growth.
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