Nestlé Nigeria commissions third technical training center in Nigeria

 

Dignitaries at the inauguration of our new Nestlé Technical Training Center at our Flowergate factory in Ogun State today with the newly admitted students of the Center.

 

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

(L-R) Country HR Manager at Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Mr. Shakiru Lawal; Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Ogun State, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare; Factory Manager at Nestlé Flowergate Factory, Mr. Gbenga Oladunjoye; Managing Director, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini; Akarigbo of Remo Land, HRM Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi and the Hon. Commissioner for science and Technology in Ogun State, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu during the commissioning of the new Nestlé Technical Training Center Flowergate in Ogun State today.

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. 

The first technical training centre was inaugurated in 2011 at Nestlé’s Agbara factory 

in Ogun State and in 2017, 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 Youth. 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 o 

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 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