Business
Nestlé Nigeria Invests N6bn in Youth Empowerment, Skill Development
Nestlé Nigeria underscored its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development at the recent graduation ceremony of ten young trainees from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, the company has invested over six billion naira in upskilling young Nigerians, demonstrating its dedication to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.
Graduating in the second stream of the seventh batch of the program, these young men and women completed an intensive 18-month program that blends theoretical and practical engineering education. This rigorous training, which culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly enhances the employability of the participants.
With this batch, the total number of graduates from the Agbara TTC this year reaches thirty, contributing to the over 190 young professionals who have completed the program since its inception. Notably, 97% of the program’s graduates have been employed within Nestlé Nigeria, illustrating the program’s success and impact.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, said, “Our investment in upskilling these bright young minds over the last 13 years not only reflects our firm belief in the potential of the next generation but our commitment to enabling them to thrive. By bridging the technical skills gap in the industry, we are not only enhancing the employability of our youth but also empowering them to achieve financial independence, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large. This is one of the ways we are creating shared value.”
Beyond the Technical Training Centre, Nestlé’s dedication to youth empowerment is also reflected in its broader youth engagement platform, Nestlé Needs YOUth. Launched in 2013, this initiative aims to help young people access economic opportunities, focusing on four pillars: getting them hired, skilled, supported, and providing them with more opportunities. Through various programs under this banner, Nestlé reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually.
Highlighting the significance of these efforts, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, the Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, stated, “We are playing our part to cushion the impact of economic challenges on the youth and prepare them for the future. Some of these initiatives include our Nesternship Program, Nestlé Youth Development Program, and our active participation in the Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative. In all, we reach over 25,000 youth annually.” He added that all graduates in this batch had also been employed by Nestlé Nigeria. “They have earned their place through dedication and excellence, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Nestlé family.”
In his address, delivered by the Director of State Schools Sports, Comrade Rotimi Okeleye Olarotimi, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, commended the Nestlé Technical Training Centre for its commitment to empowering young minds. He also applauded the efforts of the graduates: “To the graduands, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and you should be proud of your achievements. The skills and training you have acquired in the Nestlé Technical Training Centre is a powerful tool that can shape your future and open doors to new possibilities. I implore you to strive for excellence in all your endeavors and make a positive impact in your chosen field.”
Also present at the ceremony were His Excellency, the Alagbara of Agbara, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, and representatives from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the success of the Technical Training Program.
Access Bank Plc has responded to the reports making the rounds on social media concerning a former contact agent, who was alleged to have violated the privacy of some women in the organisation.
In a statement the management made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the bank said the matter has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation while cautioning the general public to rely on updates communicated through their channels only.
The statement reads in full:
Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media regarding an alleged offence involving a former Contact Centre Agent.
The matter has been handed over to the appropriate authorities, who are conducting an investigation.
We are fully cooperating with them in this process.
At Access Bank, we uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and any form of privacy violation.
We are also actively engaging with the affected employees to provide all necessary support.
The safety, dignity, and well-being of our employees and customers remain our highest priority.
We appreciate the concern and support of the public and our stakeholders.
For accurate information, we encourage everyone to rely only on updates communicated through our official channels.
MANAGEMENT
Moruf Oseni, managing director/CEO, Wema Bank, says the lender is committed to continued service and value delivery to Nigerians beyond its 80th anniversary.
Wema Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous institutions, is set to mark 80th anniversary on May 2, 2025.
Founded on May 2nd, 1945, as Agbonmagbe Bank Limited by Late Matthew Adekoya Okupe, and two others, the bank was established to bridge the gap in access to financial services for indigenous Nigerians during the colonial era.
Over the years, Wema Bank has built a legacy of impact, empowering Nigerians with quality financial services tailored to their needs and supporting the Fintech industry to innovate to remain valuable to customers and stakeholders.
Oseni, speaking on the journey of the bank so far, expressed commitment to continued delivery of optimum value to stakeholders beyond the anniversary.
According to him, Wema Bank’s founding principle of empowerment and its creed to “be with you all the way” speak to resilience, timelessness, and perpetuity.
“At Wema Bank, we have our creed, which is to be with you all the way. Anything that has the creed to be with you all the way simply means it is something that is built to last. Wema Bank rose against all odds in colonial Nigeria to cater to indigenous Nigerians and succeeded.
“Today, we are not just Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank but also Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, a testament to how committed we are to reinventing and adapting to provide value. On this, we will never relent,” Oseni noted.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reduced its premium motor spirit price in Abuja.
Some motorists in Abuja confirmed the new fuel price adjustment at some NNPC retail outlets.
Reports quoted Abdullahi Hashim, a resident of Kubwa, Abuja, to have said: “I observed the drop in the fuel price to N935 per litre on Saturday morning. It is a welcome development.”
“I think I first saw this new price adjustment in Town, Wuse Zone 4 area, on Friday. NNPC filling station at Kubwa Expressway is just reflecting it,” Bukola Adewole also said.
The development comes after Dangote Refinery announced in its ex-depot petrol price to N835 per litre from N865.
The 650,000 barrels per day refinery had announced that its partners, such as MRS and AP filling stations, are expected to sell petrol between N890 and N920 per litre, depending on the location.
Meanwhile, MRS filling stations in Abuja have not been dispensing petrol since Wednesday, April 16, 2025, when Dangote Refinery announced a slash in ex-depot petrol price.
