Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC), a member of The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (Coca-Cola HBC) Group, has launched the 2026 edition of its flagship #YouthEmpowered initiative, beginning with a training session at the University of Lagos on February 2, 2026.
The programme, targeting Nigerians aged 16 to 35, aims to enhance youth employability and entrepreneurship through practical skills training. Since its inception in 2017, #YouthEmpowered has reached over 70,000 young people across the country.
The 2026 iteration is implemented in partnership with the Fate Foundation, with funding from The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation. NBC acknowledged the collaboration, stating that shared resources and expertise have been key to the programme’s expansion.
Recent editions have delivered concrete outcomes. In 2025, ten participants secured six-month paid internships at NBC facilities in Lagos, Ibadan, Asejire, and Challawa. Additionally, three participants received full sponsorship for culinary training and ₦1 million each to start their businesses.
This year, the programme will extend to more tertiary institutions, including the Federal University of Technology, Akure, following a 2025 tour that covered seven cities. Training modules will cover Business Life Skills, Financial Literacy, Sales and Negotiation, Workplace Ethics, and more, with workshops on Business Planning and Project Management.
A highlight remains the Director’s Grant Pitch Competition, where participants can compete for business funding. Waliat Adedogun, a 2025 grant recipient, said the programme provided clarity and confidence to transform her business idea into reality.
NBC’s People and Culture team will also use the sessions to identify talent for future employment opportunities, linking training directly to career pathways.
The company reiterated that youth empowerment is vital for Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, with #YouthEmpowered designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace requirements. The 2026 rollout underscores NBC’s ongoing commitment to investing in human capital and fostering the next generation of Nigerian leaders and entrepreneurs.
