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How Nestlé And The Swiss Consulate In Nigeria Are Upskilling And Creating Job Opportunities For Nigerian Youth

For the thirteenth consecutive year, Nestlé Nigeria has empowered more than twenty young Nigerians
through the Technical Training program in its factory at Agbara. The participants received
scholarships and training to attain the highly recognized City & Guilds certifications. In addition, the
top five students were given the opportunity to conclude their training with an eight-week
apprenticeship at two of Nestlé’s technical sites in Switzerland (Orbe and Broc). Equipped with their
newly acquired skills, the graduating batch are ready to embark on their engineering careers with
Nestlé in Nigeria.


The Nestlé Technical Training Program in Nigeria is part of Nestlé’s global Needs YOUth initiative. Its
objective across the three centres in Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate is to enhance the employability of
young Nigerians by providing them essential skills in Mechanical, Electrical, and Automation
Engineering. The Agbara training centre is run in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat of
Migration (SEM).


“Africa has the largest population of young people globally, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the
age of 30,” commented Remy Ejel, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for
Zone Asia, Oceania, and Africa. “It is crucial to help the younger generations reach their full potential
and support economic growth by offering opportunities for skill development and employment. Nigeria
is an important country to Nestlé. We’ve been there for more than 60 years and are proud of our
contributions to its development. This partnership not only helps meet the demand for skilled labor in
Nigeria but also supports the local economy and aligns with Nestlé’s broader objectives of enhancing
youth employability.”


Since its inception in 2011, the program has received an overwhelming response, with an average of
10,000 applications annually. Each year, up to 60 apprentices are selected through a rigorous
assessment process to ensure quality training and personalized attention. The program includes 18
months of intensive theoretical and practical training for participants, who receive certifications in level
3, 4 and 5 of City & Guilds of London upon completion.


Dolapo Adedoyin Okunola, 25, is a program graduate aspiring to become a Technical Manager. The
highlight of her experience was participating in impactful projects aimed at improving energy efficiency
and machine validations, while collaborating with a diverse and talented team. She also enjoyed the
opportunity to learn basic French and explore the picturesque Swiss landscapes. “The Nestlé
Technical Training Program has significantly enhanced my abilities and expanded not just my skills
and academic knowledge but also my experiences of different cultures and languages,” Dolapo
explained. “The comprehensive training I received in Nigeria, combined with my internship in
Switzerland provides me a competitive edge in the corporate world. I am confident that this program
has laid a strong foundation for my career.”


The program not only enhances the technical skills of talented young Nigerians but also fosters
cultural understanding and knowledge sharing between Switzerland and Nigeria.


His Excellency Osuobeni Rawlings Krobari, Chargé D’Affaires of Nigeria to Switzerland and
Liechtenstein added: “I am delighted to see the program’s success in enhancing the employability of
young people in Nigeria. A skilled workforce is vital for our long-term growth. I extend my heartfelt
congratulations to the graduates on their achievements. I encourage them to view their new skills as
not only a foundation for their careers but also an opportunity to be ambassadors for their generation,
by sharing knowledge and best practices with their peers.”

To date, the program has benefited close to 230 trainee graduates, with 98% securing employment at
Nestlé Nigeria. Nestlé and SEM jointly invest in the program, reflecting their commitment to provide
more economic opportunities to youth.


Ms. Valérie Gass, Policy Advisor, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, said: “This program was
launched the same year as the migration partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria, which aims,
among other things, to create greater economic opportunities locally. The program is an excellent
example of a successful Swiss public-private partnership that effectively addresses challenges and
creates meaningful opportunities. We take great pride in this initiative and remain committed to
supporting youth in Nigeria.”


The Nestlé Technical Training Program consists of three programs run by Nestlé Nigeria in its
factories in Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji. In 2024, a total of 70 top-performing young Nigerians from
these programs completed apprenticeships. This initiative is just one example of how Nestlé is
helping youth become more employable across Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Drawing inspiration from
the Swiss dual education system to combine theoretical and practical training, Nestlé aims to create a
positive impact in the countries where it operates by leveraging global expertise alongside local
insights.


The global Nestlé Needs YOUth program was launched in 2013 and aims to help 10 million young
people around the world access economic opportunities by 2030. As part of this ambition, it aims to
reach more than 5 million youth across Asia, Oceania and Africa.

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