Nestle Nigeria Promoting Youth Education in Host Community, Enhancing National Growth
Nestle Nigeria, the food and Wellness Company has continued to solidify its presence and footprints to make its impact felt in its host communities in Nigeria through the promotion of youth education, technical and employability training and other capacity-enhancement initiatives required by youth to build capacity for gainful employment and contribution to the national economic growth.
Over the years, the company has granted scholarships to deserving youths in its three operational bases in Nigeria, including Sagamu and Agbara in Ogun State as well as Abaji at Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and has trained many youths in various technical fields.
The scholarship scheme is aimed at repositioning and enabling deserving students of her host communities to attain their educational and personal aspirations through financial sponsorship.
The scheme which was launched in 2020 for the host communities of the company’s factories located at Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State and Abaji, Federal Capital Territory, has been extended to include the host community of the company’s third factory in Agbara, Ogun State.
Apart from the scholarship scheme, the firm has also demonstrated its love for the youths through different capacity enhancement training and initiatives culminating to its partnership with like-minded institutions and organizations to ensure the successful implementation of its youth-focused projects.
This led to its collaboration with REVAMP Africa in launching a mentoring programme for secondary schools powered by Nestlé Cares, the company’s global employee volunteering programme.
For the scholarship scheme which is in two categories – senior secondary and tertiary levels, grant funds to cover tuition, accommodation, uniform, books and other expenses for the duration of beneficiaries’ education in the respective categories.
This programme is aligned to Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4 – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. Education is key to prosperity as it opens a world of opportunities.
Several factors including inadequate infrastructure, lack of opportunities, accessibility and affordability are top issues limiting access to quality education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme seeks to help bridge the gap by providing financial support to help youth complete their science and technology studies in the secondary and tertiary categories.
Meanwhile, Nestlé Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to helping equip young people with the employability skills required to find gainful employment or create their own businesses.
This, the company achieves, through its Nestlé Needs Youth initiative aimed at helping young people access economic opportunities. Through Nestlé Needs Youth, the company provides the training and resources young people need to improve their employability and nurture their entrepreneurial talent. The
The technical Training Programme is one of the ways the company helps young school leavers build the skills required to find gainful employment.
Since 2011, Nestlé Nigeria has invested in building technical skills in machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation at the Technical Training Centre located in Agbara. In 2017, the company set up the second Technical Training Centre in Abaji to reach those closest to the company’s operations with the 18-month multi-skilled, vocational training program which prepares the beneficiaries for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.
So far, over 120 students have benefitted from the program with over 90% of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria.
Speaking at the event to introduce Nestlé Scholarship scheme in Agbara, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka said, “In a nation with a high youth population like ours, it is clear that communities cannot thrive if they fail to offer a future for younger generations. Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme aims to contribute towards creating a future for youth by preparing them to participate in the industry. The focus on science and technology is deliberate to build much-needed local capacity.”
“We are therefore pleased to announce the extension of the scheme to deserving youths in Agbara. The scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, uniforms and books for the duration of beneficiaries’ studies so long as they attain the minimum required academic performance each year.”
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by the Zonal Education Officer, Ado-Odo Ota, Mr. Olugbenga Kikisuhu, commended Nestlé for the initiative. He said,
“A modest history is being recorded here today as Nestlé Nigeria PLC has taken a giant step by extending its love and generosity to better the lots of under-privileged and deserving indigenous students of Agbara community. One of the most important scholarship benefits to our society is that it gives us engineers, doctors, academics, lawyers and scientists from backgrounds that ordinarily could not have met up with the financial burdens of education”.
On his part, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Barr.) Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade Olute III said, “This scholarship scheme is a laudable initiative by Nestlé Nigeria PLC. I am delighted to be part of this event promoting the education and empowerment of youth in Agbara. The company has positively impacted the community over the years and we have enjoyed a good relationship”.
One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship in the tertiary category, Rereloluwa Obafemi-Moses, a Medical Student of the University of Lagos, expressed her delight at being selected as one of the beneficiaries of the scheme. She said that the award means a lot to her as it will further motivate her increased commitment to her academics. She also appreciated Nestlé Nigeria for its investment in young Nigerians.
The event had stakeholders including community leaders, youth leaders, principals of beneficiary secondary schools, parents and education officials in attendance.
109 students drawn from the company’s communities around Owode-Egba, Sagamu, Abaji and Agbara currently benefit from the scheme. They were selected based on their academic performance and rigorous verification processes.
The company continues to make a meaningful difference in her host communities by creating initiatives to help youth unlock their potential. Through the scholarship scheme, Nestlé continues to help build the next generation of science and technology professionals. This is another of the many ways through which the company Creates Shared Value to help build thriving communities.
The mentoring programme, according to the firm, aims to reach over 10,000 Junior Secondary School Class two (JSS2), Senior Secondary School Class one and Senior Secondary Class two (SS1 and SS2) students in public secondary schools across the country with training on life values and life skills.
The programme, the firm stated, is delivered in collaboration with REVAMP Africa, a youth-focused non-profit organization with the vision to revive educational values and maximize potential among young people, especially in public secondary schools.
The programme which started with over 1,000 students of the Ilupeju Secondary School, in Lagos, in July 2021 has been extended to the Company’s host communities in Sagamu and Abaji, reaching over 2,000 students at the Owode High School, Obafemi Owode in Ogun State and at the Government Secondary School, Abaji over a 4-week period.
According to Nestlé’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Victoria Uwadoka, “Nestlé Cares, provides employees with the opportunity to make an impact in local communities. It is a proven fact that good habits formed at a young age, set the tone for a productive, successful future. Through the Mentorship Program developed in collaboration with REVAMP Africa, we are happy to make a difference by helping young Nigerians in secondary schools to imbibe the values that would equip them as a future generation of transformational leaders.”
“We are delighted to see how passionate our employees are to engage with the young people, teaching them the benefits of having the right values. We also teach the youth how to handle peer pressure, interpersonal relationships, time management and goal setting. In addition, we teach them the benefits of healthy nutrition which is key to a healthy life.
Victoria Uwadoka reaffirmed that Nestlé Cares Employee Volunteer Programme will continue to provide opportunities for Nestlé employees to give back to society by offering their time, talent and resources while impacting individuals and families, communities, and the environment.
Speaking on the collaboration with Nestlé, the Founder, REVAMP Africa, Kelechi Anyalechi said, “We are a youth-focused non-profit organization with the vision to revive educational values and maximize potential among young people, especially in public secondary schools. We are raising leaders, who will transform their communities, countries, Africa and the world. We are always so inspired to see the turn-out of Nestlé employees which demonstrates their strong commitment to making a difference in society. In addition to Lagos, Sagamu and Abaji, we will be extending the mentoring program to public secondary schools in Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Jos, Kaduna, Agbara and Abuja reaching over 10,000 students in the coming months.”
Recounting her experience during the four weeks of the mentoring program, Akinwale Temitope, a student of SS1 C in Ilupeju secondary school said, “I learnt a lot about values. The value that stood out most for me was humility, the quality of modesty. I also learnt about setting goals, time management and self-reliance. Thank you, Nestlé Cares and Revamp Africa, for the opportunity to learn.”
Commenting on the programme, the principal of Ilupeju Secondary School Mr. Adeoye B. Adebowale said “I want to thank Nestlé for coming to mentor our students, and for helping us and the government add value to the younger generation. Our mission is to be the foremost school where academics with high moral values are achieved. This mentoring program reiterates what we do and what we believe in.”
Nestlé Nigeria is one of the largest food companies in Africa with the purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. For over 58 years, the company has been delighting consumers around Nigeria by consistently delivering high-quality nutritious food.
With a staff strength of over 2,300 direct employees, 3 manufacturing sites, 7 branch offices and a head office located in Lagos, the company produces and markets several iconic brands including Nestlé Purelife, Golden Morn, Milo, Maggi and Nescafé.
Since 2011, Nestlé Nigeria has invested in building technical skills in machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation at the Technical Training Centre located in Agbara. In 2017, the company set up the second Technical Training Centre in Abaji to reach those closest to the company’s operations with the 18-month multi-skilled, vocational training program which prepares the beneficiaries for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.
So far, over 120 students have benefitted from the program with over 90% of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria.
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) joined forces with Nestlé Nigeria in 2019 to extend the reach of the Abaji Technical Training Centre.
Speaking at the batch two graduation ceremony of Nestlé Technical Training Centre, Abaji, the Managing Director, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini said, “Nestlé Nigeria remains committed to equipping students with all the necessary technical skills to succeed in the world of work through the Technical Training programme. We believe that young people have a key role to play in building thriving, resilient communities. This is why we are passionate about helping our youth to build the capabilities and skills to find fulfilling jobs, or create their own businesses.”
“The technical training program is one of the ways Nestlé creates shared value in the communities where we operate. Together with our partners such as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and Industririal Training Fund (ITF), we continue to build strong communities by improving livelihoods, thereby enhancing the quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come. So today, we are happy to note that 100% of the participants have completed the program successfully.” Mr Wassim Elhusseini added.
In his address, the Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr Timothy Olawale said, “We are happy to celebrate the batch two trainees from the Technical Training Centre here in Abaji. We are confident that they have acquired the much-needed technical skills to support the industrialization of our great nation. Through the Technical Training Centre, and with the support of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), we will continue to expand to reach more youth in order to help reduce the burden of unemployment while creating a pipeline of skilled technicians for businesses and for the industry at large.”
Recounting his experience within the past 18 months, Joseph Blessing Adeola, one of the trainees said, “In the journey of this training, I performed so many practical sessions, attended so many professional training, and was involved in industrial training (IT), which gave me access to Nestlé Abaji factory production line where I was able to put my theoretical background to use in practical terms. It was an intense period with great exposure that I will always be grateful for. A big thank you to Nestlé for this opportunity.”
