Diageo Nigeria has partnered with the Lagos State Government to launch a training initiative aimed at empowering 250 young people with practical skills and job opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Diageo unveiled the programme, known as the Diageo Learning for Life (stylised as L4L) initiative, on Monday in Lagos. The firm collaborated with Celebr-8 Lyfe, a Tolaram company, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to mark the first rollout of the initiative in Nigeria, targeting unemployed and under-represented youth, with a focus on women and persons living with disabilities.
General Manager of Diageo Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Alli, said the company is committed to sustainable empowerment across the continent, stating, “We believe that economic empowerment begins with opportunity. Through Diageo Learning for Life, we are not only helping to shape future hospitality professionals, but we are also creating a ripple effect of transformation that impacts families, communities, and the broader Nigerian economy.”
Alli noted that the initiative “is more than just training,” as he advocated for widening access to talent wherever it may be found.
Diageo’s Communications and Sustainability Manager for West & Central Africa, Christianah Robinson, said the Lagos edition of the programme would train 250 participants, 60 per cent of whom will be women and 10 per cent persons living with disabilities.
She added, “All of our programmes ensure at least 50 per cent female participation. We are keen to include people with disabilities, at least 10 per cent, across all our social programmes.”
Head of Corporate Relations, West & Central Africa, Diageo, Godfrey Adejumoh, explained that the company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LSETF to guide the training rollout.
“We will design and develop comprehensive training content in hospitality and tourism, provide qualified trainers and instructional materials, and finance all aspects of the programme, including trainee recruitment, training kits, and transport support,” Adejumoh said.
He noted that Diageo would also assist with internship placements and post-training employment for successful participants.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the initiative as a “new chapter in youth empowerment.”
“The partnership between Diageo and the Lagos State Government is a shining example of how public-private collaboration can drive meaningful change, particularly in tackling unemployment and closing the skills gap,” he said.
Ajigbotafe announced that the state government would sponsor an additional 250 youths to participate in the programme and would pay their salaries for six months.
Also speaking, Deputy Director of Youth Development in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Richards Idowu, who represented the Lagos Youth Commissioner, Mobolaji Ogunlende, pledged the Ministry’s support to expand the reach of the programme.
Idowu remarked, “We can bring you as many as 5,000 youths if needed. We have the network, the Lagos State Youth Council, non-governmental organisations, and voluntary organisations to scale this up.”
Head of Business Support at LSETF, Oluwafunmilayo Erics-Sobukonla, who represented the Executive Secretary, Feyisayo Alayande, noted that the partnership aligned with LSETF’s goal of fostering inclusive economic growth.
“This initiative goes beyond training. It’s about equipping individuals with relevant skills, unlocking internships, and driving meaningful job placements in one of the fastest-growing sectors in Lagos,” she said.
She praised Diageo’s commitment to social impact and said the 250 trainees represented “just the tip of the iceberg” in terms of the wider impact the state hopes to achieve through the partnership.
