…upskills over 300 vendors under ‘my-own-business’ programme.
By Chris Onuoha
With the unemployment rate forecast in Nigeria standing at 4.3% in 2025, The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had earlier reported that the youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) in the second quarter of 2024 was 6.5%.
While notable private sectors and government agencies have not relented to cushion the effects by working to reduce the number, it might be interesting to assert that more needs to be done.
Against this backdrop, Nestlé Professional, the ‘Out-of-Home’ arm of Nestlé with focus on providing innovative, high-quality food and beverage solutions including food services to the out-of-homes in Nigeria, have not also relented in pushing the boundaries, catering for the youth by initiating entrepreneurial spirit that will make them independent, to reduce the unemployment situation in the country.
Just recently, Nestlé Professional reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating youth entrepreneurship, with a workshop in Lagos to upskill over 300 operators and attendants within its My Own Business (MYOWBU) program.
The programme is designed to empower young people across Central and West Africa by helping them establish sustainable careers in street vending, which is providing affordable beverage solutions such as NESCAFÉ and MILO enjoyed by millions of Nigerians every day.
It is a sustainable means of livelihood for many young people seeking dignified work, financial independence, and a chance to build a better future.
The significance of this initiative, though, helps the youth to get engaged easily and become productive. It is obvious that the programme usually cut across all categories of youth, either by academic certificated or not, but with a shared value intent.
Meanwhile, during the workshop, Nestlé introduced the “Clean with MYOWBU” initiative, geared towards mobilizing more than 132 attendants in Lagos to collect and recycle used NESCAFÉ and MILO wrappers, reinforcing Nestlé’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and circularity across its value chain. The program recovered 175.27kg of post use packaging waste.
As the MYOWBU community grows stronger, so does its positive impact. What began with a few young people has evolved into a powerful model for sustainable entrepreneurship and shared value creation.
The program has created over 1,500 employment opportunities across Nigeria, equipping youth with fully branded pushcarts, shoulder kits, and essential start-up resources from Nestlé Professional.
However, Nestlé Professional reiterated its stance to remain deeply invested in supporting the entrepreneurs, offering the youth not just assets, but access, skills, mentorship, and a path to ownership of their own business with confidence in sustainability.
Some of the participant beneficiaries at the workshop expressed hope and confidence, signifying testaments to the programme’s real-life impact.
One of them, Adeosun Michael, recognized as the longest-serving ‘MYOWBU’ operator, after 20 years, shared his impactful experience.
He said: “MYOWBU transformed my life. I was able to leave the streets, build a home, and provide for my family. The journey and my believe in MYOWBU initiative have taught me that consistency and hard work pay off.”
Another beneficiary, Joseph Abraham, now a Nestlé distributor, expressed, “I started as a pushcart operator. Today, I’m running my own Nestlé distribution business thanks to the foundation Nestlé helped me build. Dreams do come true,” he added.
Speaking at the workshop, Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional, said: “We are excited to host this MYOWBU workshop in Lagos, bringing together hundreds of committed operators and attendants.
“At the heart of this initiative is a belief in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives. This workshop is not just about technical skills, it’s about building confidence, nurturing ambition, and strengthening the community of young business leaders who represent our brands with pride and purpose,” she added.
With the goal of advancing operational excellence and sustainable growth, the workshop delivered focused training in business management, hygiene, food safety, waste management and customer service.
Sessions were led by industry experts, including Sulaimon Abolore, Assistant Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Ajibabi Awosika from Nestlé Nigeria.
Abolore in his comments stated, “We are pleased to see this notable program organized by Nestlé, especially as it focuses on generating employment for youth, taking them off the streets.
”This aligns with our efforts at the state government to ensure job creation and provide opportunities for those willing to work.
”We commend the positive impact that the My Own Business initiative has on the economy and applaud Nestlé for this investment.”
In contrast, the initiative that enables the pushcart vendors to serve the public with hot beverages while on the go, also controls waste management, as the vendors see that no drop of coffee cup is littered on the streets.
Speaking to a businessman at Ladipo spare part market in Lagos, he narrates how he enjoys the service of the pushcart vendors.
“Every morning, I will have my ready-to-drink coffee served while I attend to my customers. You know how messy the motor part machines could be. I don’t need to stress myself washing my hands. I take the coffee with my hand glove on,” he stated.
For Mrs. Olufunke Ajayi, a foodstuff dealer at Okearin market, Mushin, she said, the pushcart vendors are always neat and serves the tea or coffee hot.
“For me, the hotness of the coffee is what I enjoy most, unlike buying from some women that sell tea in bowl,” remarked Ajayi.
The multiple benefits of the MYOWBU initiative by Nestlé could be seen beyond just empowering youths in the country, but also by maintaining an environmentally conscious society.
