DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

Diageo graduates 300 youths in hospitality skills

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Diageo Nigeria, in partnership with local organizations, has graduated 300 youths from its hospitality and tourism skills program.
  • The 'Learning for Life' initiative exceeded its target, providing training, mentorship, and employment pathways, with over 150 participants securing internships.
  • The program is part of Diageo's global sustainability agenda and aims to address youth unemployment by empowering young Nigerians with employable skills.

Diageo Nigeria has successfully graduated 300 young Nigerians from the inaugural cohort of its "Learning for Life" initiative, a program focused on equipping participants with essential skills for the hospitality and tourism sector. The program, a collaboration with Celebr-8 Lyfe, the Lagos State Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), surpassed its initial goal of training 250 individuals.

The "Learning for Life" initiative provided comprehensive training, including workplace readiness, mentorship, and employability support. A significant outcome of the program is the creation of employment pathways, with over 150 participants securing internship placements within Lagos's hospitality industry. Several of these interns have already transitioned into permanent employment following their placements.

Learning for Life reflects our belief that skills development is one of the most sustainable pathways to economic empowerment.

— Adebayo AlliGeneral Manager of Diageo West and Central Africa, speaking at the graduation ceremony.

Adebayo Alli, General Manager of Diageo West and Central Africa, highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling youth unemployment and enhancing workforce readiness in the hospitality sector. He stated, "Learning for Life reflects our belief that skills development is one of the most sustainable pathways to economic empowerment." The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, commended Diageo's efforts, emphasizing the critical need for such development programs given that youth constitute approximately 60 percent of Lagos State's population.

This initiative is a key component of Diageo's global "Society 2030: Spirit of Progress" agenda, which prioritizes inclusion, community investment, and sustainable social impact. Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary of the LSETF, noted the program's alignment with broader goals for youth development and economic empowerment in the region.

Diageo’s commitment to training young Nigerians is deliberate, long-term, and rooted in the desire to create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow, thrive, and contribute to the future of the hospitality industry and the economy as a whole.

— Mobolaji OgunlendeHonourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, commending Diageo's initiative.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog