The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recent data revealed that Youth unemployment has reached 8.6 percent among Nigerians aged 15-24 in Q3 2023, even as Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative has stepped up to bridge the gap.
Launched in August 2021, Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative aimed to equip 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills, with strong support from the Federal Ministry of Youth, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, and Activate Success International.
Their flagship Vocational Skills Training program, delivered in partnership with Whitefield Foundation, provides instruction in solar panel installation, graphic design, CCTV and cable installation, and beauty care.
In 2024, the training culminated in the graduation of 372 participants at St. John Anglican College in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Graduates received start-up kits and capital to help them launch businesses immediately, with top achievers receiving laptops, makeup toolkits, massage beds, and toolboxes tailored to their chosen field. Demonstrating their skills through live projects, graduates showcased the program’s tangible impact on their lives.
The Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative has indeed showed the real impact of skills development.
Take Mustapha Fasasi, a 34-year-old from Oyo State, who was eager to venture into solar energy but lacked the know-how. After learning about the Alliance’s upskilling program, Mustapha joined, gained valuable solar panel installation skills, and is now building a thriving business in renewable energy, supporting himself and his family.
Stories like Mustapha’s are becoming more common, thanks to the collaborative efforts of organizations under the Alliance for Youth Nigeria. Nestlé Nigeria, a founding member, alongside partners like Jobberman Nigeria, Big Bottling Company, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, and U-Connect HR Limited, are tackling the unemployment crisis by providing essential skills training for Nigerian youth.
Reflecting on the transformative work of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, COO of the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Tumi Onamade, praised the graduates, stating, “These young individuals are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today, shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future with their innovative ideas and bold actions.”
Country HR Manager for Nestlé Nigeria, Shakiru Lawal, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Investing in today’s youth is crucial because the actions we take now will shape our nation’s future prosperity.” Lawal emphasized Nestlé’s commitment to youth empowerment, noting that the company has trained 805 youths in technical and vocational skills and added another 372 beneficiaries this year.
Since its inception, Alliance for Youth Nigeria has empowered 35,499 youth with vocational, employability, and soft skills. The initiative’s efforts align with a broader goal to equip 250,000 young Nigerians with skills to secure meaningful employment or launch businesses.
The Alliance’s commitment is part of Nestlé’s larger youth engagement platform, “Nestlé Needs YOUth,” launched in 2013, which annually reaches an average of 25,000 Nigerian youth through its focus on employment, skills development, and creating more opportunities.
With youth unemployment at 8.6 percent among Nigerians aged 15-24 in Q3 2023, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, initiatives like the Alliance for Youth Nigeria are critical. Through programs like these, young Nigerians are developing skills that prepare them for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities, making strides toward a brighter, sustainable future for the nation.
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