Nestlé Nigeria Pledges Continued Support for Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Nestlé Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting youth entrepreneurship, emphasizing that equipping young Nigerians with business skills and resources remains a vital component of its contribution to national development.

The corporate pledge was renewed during the National Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Summit (YEEP) in Abuja, organized by the Activate Success International Foundation. The event also marked the continuation of an eight-year partnership between the food and beverage company and the foundation aimed at accelerating youth enterprise development across Nigeria.

Speaking at the summit, Nestlé Nigeria’s Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability, Victoria Uwadoka, noted that addressing the needs of young people is critical given that they make up over 70 percent of the national population. She highlighted entrepreneurship as one of the most viable avenues to combat unemployment and stimulate long-term economic growth.

Uwadoka urged the participating youth to challenge conventional thinking, maintain resilience in the face of market uncertainties, and focus on sustainable, long-term impact rather than short-term gains. She added that corporate backing and financial investments naturally gravitate toward viable, innovative ideas that solve real-world problems and improve lives.

The YEEP summit, now in its ninth consecutive year, serves as a prominent platform bringing together policymakers, private sector executives, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The initiative focuses on offering mentorship, building networks, and providing practical skills to integrate young innovators into the mainstream economy, with support from various private and public sector partners.