Lagos: Diageo Nigeria, in collaboration with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Government, has initiated a youth empowerment scheme under its flagship Learning for Life (L4L) programme. This initiative aims to empower 250 Nigerian youths, particularly focusing on women and People with Disabilities (PwD), to foster inclusion and economic empowerment.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the programme was officially launched during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing event in Lagos, with Mr. Adebayo Alli, Diageo Nigeria's General Manager, confirming the details. The MoU was signed with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other stakeholders, highlighting a collective commitment to workforce development, gender inclusion, and sustainable employment within the hospitality industry.
The initiative targets 250 unemployed youths from disadvantaged backgrounds in Lagos State, with 60 percent of participants being female and 10 percent being PwD. The L4L 2025 edition signifies the first rollout of this transformative initiative in Nigeria, aiming to equip participants with practical skills, real-world experience, and job prospects in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Mr. Adebayo Alli emphasized that this effort aligns with Diageo's broader commitment to empowerment and sustainable development across Africa. "We believe economic empowerment starts with opportunity. Through Learning for Life, we're not just building hospitality careers, we're sparking change that reaches families, communities, and Nigeria's economy," Alli stated.
Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the partnership as an exemplary model of effective public-private collaboration for social impact. Represented by Mr. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, the governor noted the programme's focus on addressing unemployment and the need for relevant skills among young people. He affirmed that women and PwD continue to be key priorities in the state's developmental agenda and skills programmes.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also pledged to sponsor 250 additional beneficiaries to further the state's youth development objectives, emphasizing the importance of equipping the youth, who form over 60 percent of the population, with tools for global competitiveness. "The Learning for Life programme, covering hospitality, bartending, entrepreneurship, and retail, is a vital milestone in that journey," the governor stated, commending Diageo Nigeria for identifying the hospitality industry as a driver of inclusive economic empowerment.
Mr. Shobhit Jindal, General Manager of Celebr-8 Lyfe, stressed that empowerment should be practical, inclusive, and sustainable, noting that the programme prepares young people to lead and innovate within the hospitality sector. The L4L curriculum includes essential modules such as business essentials, bar skills, teamwork, budgeting, and confidence building, alongside training on social issues like gender and disability inclusion, sexual harassment prevention, and responsible drinking.
Following a one-week classroom and online training phase, participants will undergo an 11-week internship in top Lagos hospitality businesses, including hotels, bars, restaurants, lounges, and airports, providing hands-on industry experience. High-performing participants will be offered full-time roles upon completion of the programme, with all trainees receiving transport stipends and post-programme support via the Diageo Bar Academy platform.
Jindal announced that applications for the first cohort open on July 14 and close on July 28, with in-person training commencing on August 11 and internships running from September 1 to November 17. Successful candidates may receive job offers from mid-November onwards.