Nestlé Nigeria Trains 160 Students, Commissions Third Technical Training Centre In Nigeria 

In its avowed determination to contribute tangible quota towards accelerating industrialization in the country, Nestle’Nigeria has inaugurated Its new Technical Training Center. 

The center located at its Flowergate factory in Ogun State, is the third facility set up by Nestlé in the country.

This, the company confirm is  in line with her commitment to help young people build the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating industrialization.

Indeed, Anthonia Ehibor is one of the twenty trainees admitted into an 18-month Technical

Training program at Nestlé Nigeria’s newest Technical Training Center (TTC) at the

company’s Flowergate Factory in Ogun State.

Anthonia, an indigene of Edo State with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in

Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, aspires to develop her technical

competence in order to secure a good job in her chosen field. 

“I need to earn an

income to meet my needs and to support my family,” she said.

Nestlé Technical Training Center, Flowergate is the third facility set up by Nestlé in

the country, in line with her commitment to help young people build the capabilities

and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating industrialization.

It would be recalled that the  first technical training centre was inaugurated in 2011 at Nestlé’s Agbara factory

in Ogun State and in 2017 , the company opened the second centre in the Abaji factory, in the

Federal Capital Territory to cater for young people in the Northern part of the country.

Trainees participate in an intensive 18-month program which builds their

competence in machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations,

instrumentation operations and automation, culminating in the prestigious London

City and Guilds technical certification examination.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Flowergate TTC, the MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria,

Mr Wassim Elhusseini said, “The technical training program is an initiative of our

global flagship program,Nestlé Needs youths.

The program is one of the sustainable

pathways through which we contribute to meeting the technical needs in the industry

while enabling young Nigerians access economic opportunities. 

Young people have

a key role to play in shaping the future we desire. We are determined to remain at the

forefront of the fight against youth unemployment by helping young people develop

the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating the

industrialization we need to grow our economy.                                 

Participants at the ceremony included parents, the trainees, the Traditional Ruler of

Remoland and community leaders, representatives of the Government of Ogun State,

Industry associations, and program partners including the Switzerland Embassy and

Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof.

Abayomi Arigbagbu said, “The set-up of Nestlé’s third technical training center in the

country and second in Ogun State, attests to her commitment to manpower

development, capacity building and technical skills acquisition, also focus areas for

the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. I sincerely appreciate

the company for her investments towards building the competences of young people

over the years and for her support and collaboration on the State Government’s effort

towards improving technical education in the state”.

In his comments, Mr. Wale Oyerinde, Director General, Nigerian Employers

Consultative Association (NECA) said “With the rising unemployment and challenged

educational system, one of the sure paths to rapid national development is Technical

and vocational skills development. We commend Nestlé for her commitment and

massive investment, not only in youth development but also in skills and National

development. This effort is commendable and also worthy of emulation by other companies “.

Also speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports

Development, Dr Kehinde Oluwadare said, “I congratulate Nestlé Nigeria as she

continues to contribute to the development of young people in Ogun State and the

nation by prioritizing skills development and job creation. I am particularly delighted

that the vision of the company is in tandem with the focus on youth empowerment

by the Prince Dapo Abiodun led Administration”.

HRM, Alaiyeluwa Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler

of Remoland said, “We are proud to be associated with Nestlé, particularly on the

commencement of this wonderful initiative. I commend the Management of the

company for investing in technical education of young people, who are the future of the country. We will make sure the company continues to have the enabling

environment to continue to do good for and within this community”. 

Expressing her delight on behalf of the trainees, Anthonia Ehibor, said, “We are

excited to be the pioneer students of Nestlé technical training centre, Flowergate. We

appreciate Nestlé Nigeria for creating this opportunity for us to gain the skills we need

to be future-ready. We look forward to learning, sharing ideas and networking within

the 18 months of the training. You can count on us to put in the hard work and

commitment required to make you and our parents proud”.

Over 160 students have benefitted from the technical training program since its

inception, with 95% of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria.

Country Human  Resources, HR 

Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Shakiru Lawal, announced the resumption of 50 new

students across the three training centres at Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate in the past week.