…167 graduated from the ‘Learning for Life’ initiative
A total of 167 young Nigerians have graduated from the first cohort of Diageo’s Learning for Life initiative, aimed at addressing youth unemployment and plugging skills gaps in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Adebayo Alli, managing director at Diageo Nigeria, said the impact had been “very significant”, noting that more than 1,000 people applied for 300 places and that 150 trainees were already working as interns, with many securing permanent roles.
The company, which had initially planned for 250 participants, expanded the intake after strong demand, Alli said on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony in Lagos recently.
Diageo plans to scale the initiative across Nigeria and into other African markets, partnering with local organisations to reach more young people wherever hospitality jobs exist, Alli added.
He said the investment is part of the group’s commitment to communities where it operates, calling youth joblessness “a pressing issue” that the programme seeks to address through vocational training, mentorship, and pathways to employment.
“Today is more than just a ceremony. It is a celebration of resilience, growth, opportunity, and the incredible potential that exists within young Nigerians when they are given access to the right support, training, and platform to thrive,” Alli said.
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“At Diageo, we believe that business success and community progress must go hand in hand. That belief is what drives initiatives like Learning for Life, a programme designed not only to equip young people with hospitality and tourism skills, but also to create pathways to confidence, employability, and long-term economic empowerment,” he added.
He noted that when Diageo launched the programme in Nigeria in partnership with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the goal was simple but ambitious: “to empower young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills that would position them for meaningful opportunities within the hospitality sector.”
Faustina Okeke, one of the graduates, now a confident hospitality professional, said the training transformed her life. “I was shy, selling just to survive,” she said at the ceremony.
“The amazing part was it wasn’t just theory — we practised, we were taught, and also expressed our opinions.” “One session on handling customers and resolving conflicts stuck with me the most.”
“As an intern at Padova Hotel, I took my roles seriously. It helped me grow, professionally and personally.”
She appreciated Diageo for the initiative, saying, “This programme changed my life.” “Sometimes a miracle is just an opportunity… believing in you before you believe in yourself,” she added.
Speaking also, Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, told the graduates of Diageo’s Learning for Life programme: “You are as vital as any other role… hold your head high and take pride in what you’re doing.”
“Not every one of you will land a white-collar job,” he acknowledged, “but you all seek opportunity — and that’s what Diageo and the partners have provided.”
“Your network is your net worth,” he added, praising Diageo’s skills push as “bringing hope to those who feel hopeless.” Ogunlende urged trainees to leverage every interaction, saying, “The next person you meet could be your next big opportunity.”