Diageo Nigeria, in collaboration with Celebr-8 Lyfe, the Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), has successfully graduated participants from the first cohort of its Learning for Life (L4L) initiative in Nigeria. This milestone reinforces a long-term commitment to skills development, employability, and economic empowerment for young Nigerians.
Initiative Exceeds Training Targets
Launched in September 2025, the Learning for Life initiative initially aimed to train 250 young Nigerians in hospitality and tourism-related skills. However, the program exceeded this goal by training over 300 participants through a structured curriculum that included practical hospitality training, workplace readiness, mentorship, and employability support.
Beyond training, the initiative created direct employment pathways, with more than 150 participants securing internship placements across the Lagos hospitality sector. Several participants have already transitioned into permanent employment after completing their internships.
Cross-Sector Collaboration Highlighted
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Adebayo Alli, General Manager of Diageo West and Central Africa, emphasized that the successful completion of the first L4L cohort demonstrates the impact of cross-sector collaboration in addressing youth unemployment and strengthening workforce readiness within the hospitality industry. He described the initiative as a reflection of Diageo’s commitment to investing in people and communities through long-term, impact-driven initiatives.
“Learning for Life reflects our belief that skills development is one of the most sustainable pathways to economic empowerment,” Adebayo said.
Government Support and Commendation
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Honourable Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, attended the ceremony and commended Diageo Nigeria for providing opportunities and hope to young Nigerians. He noted that Lagos has a vibrant, youthful population, comprising about 60 percent of the state’s population, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to support their development.
He stated, “Diageo’s commitment to training young Nigerians is deliberate, long-term, and rooted in the desire to create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow, thrive, and contribute to the future of the hospitality industry and the economy as a whole.”
Part of Global Sustainability Agenda
The Learning for Life initiative is part of Diageo’s global Society 2030: Spirit of Progress agenda, which prioritizes inclusion, community investment, and sustainable social impact across markets where the company operates. Representatives from the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture also attended the graduation. The Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, led her team to the event and commended the initiative for its strong focus on employability and inclusion.
Alayande said, “Initiatives like Learning for Life are important in creating access and reducing barriers to opportunity for young Nigerians. The programme’s emphasis on practical training, inclusion, and employment pathways aligns strongly with our broader commitment to youth development and economic inclusion across Lagos State.”
Partnerships Driving Impact
Shobhit Jindal, General Manager of Celebr-8 Lyfe, highlighted the importance of partnerships in delivering impactful outcomes. “The success of this initiative demonstrates what is possible when organisations come together with a shared purpose. Through strong collaboration between Diageo, Celebr-8 Lyfe, the Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation, and LSETF, we were able to move beyond intention and deliver practical opportunities that are already transforming lives and creating long-term career pathways for young people,” Jindal said.
Inclusive Design for Underrepresented Groups
Godfrey Adejumoh, Head of Corporate Relations for Diageo West and Central Africa, remarked, “The initiative was intentionally designed to support inclusive participation, by creating opportunities for women and persons with disabilities who are often underrepresented within the formal economy. By combining technical training with practical workplace exposure, Learning for Life ensures participants are equipped with both industry-relevant skills and the confidence required to succeed professionally.”
Through Learning for Life and other impactful initiatives, Diageo Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering communities, strengthening industries, and creating sustainable opportunities that contribute to long-term economic growth and social progress.
