In a major boost to youth empowerment, Diageo Nigeria and the Lagos State Government have launched a skills acquisition programme to train 500 young Nigerians in hospitality and related services — at no cost to participants.
The initiative, titled "Learning for Life", was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Diageo’s Managing Director, Bayo Ali, and the Director of Programmes at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Oyindamola Egbeyemi.
Speaking at the signing, Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised Diageo for expanding the programme’s reach from 250 to 500 youths. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to tackling unemployment through strategic partnerships.
“This initiative reflects the kind of public-private collaboration Lagos State champions,” Ajigbotafe said.
Diageo stated the Learning for Life programme aims to empower unemployed and disadvantaged youths by equipping them with real-world skills in hospitality — including teamwork, customer service, budgeting, bar operations, CV writing, and communication.
The training is inclusive, covering gender and disability considerations, as well as modules on positive thinking and workplace harassment prevention.
The programme spans 12 weeks, starting with one week of classroom training, followed by an 11-week internship in hospitality establishments.
“It’s not just learning, it’s learning with experience,” a Diageo representative added, underscoring the programme’s hands-on approach.
