Nestlé Nigeria Reaffirms Youth Empowerment

Nestlé Nigeria Plc reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through its annual scholarship program.

Aimed at high-achieving secondary and tertiary students majoring in Science and Technology, this scholarship empowers and supports students in the communities surrounding Nestlé operations.

Since launching the Community Scholarship in 2020, Nestlé has remained committed to providing financial support to students in host communities. This support covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books and other essential expenses, ensuring these students have the resources they need throughout their educational journey.

In this round, 90 verified locals will receive grants totaling N18 million.

The application portal opens on November 5, 2024 and closes on December 8, 2024.

Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Sustainability Leader, Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating shared value, attributing Nestlé’s success to the well-being of its host communities.

He encouraged the scholarship recipients to strive for academic excellence to remain globally competitive, saying: “These scholarships reflect our unwavering commitment to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic hardships are placing additional burdens on families across the country, we are proud to provide meaningful financial support to ease that burden.

“By investing in education, we not only empower individual students, but we also foster the growth and prosperity of our entire community.”

The announcement of the call for entries was made at the recent awards ceremony for the 2023/2024 recipient batch where 65 students from schools in Abaji, Agbara and Sagamu were awarded scholarships.

One of the recipients of the award ceremony, tertiary beneficiary Adeyemi Gbenga Daniel, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, said: “This scholarship gives us the strength to pursue our dreams, fuels our passion for learning and helps us discover possible opportunities.” otherwise it was out of reach.

Also speaking at the event, traditional leaders of the recipient communities expressed gratitude for the company’s consistent efforts. Ona of Abaji, Alagbara of Agbara and Akarigbo of Remo Land, represented by their chiefs, praised Nestlé Nigeria for keeping its promises and making a real difference through its Shared Value Creation (CSV) initiatives.

They recognized the positive impact on their communities, from educational support to youth empowerment, and pledged their continued support to Nestlé’s operations, ensuring communities welcome business growth.

As the program continues to evolve, Nestlé remains focused on developing talent and promoting academic excellence. By investing in the education of youth, the company aims to create long-lasting positive impacts in host communities and help shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators.