Big Boost For Young Nigerians As NBC Expands Life-Changing Programme

The Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. (NBC), a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, has restated its dedication to empowering young Nigerians with the skills, confidence, and tools needed to excel in today’s dynamic world.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company announced the launch of the 2025 edition of its flagship youth development programme, Youth Empowered. The new edition will kick off with a two-day engagement in Kaduna on September 29 and 30, marking the start of a nationwide tour.

Now in its eighth year, Youth Empowered has become one of the most influential empowerment platforms for young people in Nigeria and across 28 other countries where Coca-Cola HBC operates. Since its introduction in 2017, the programme set an ambitious target of reaching one million youths by 2025—a goal it has already surpassed. With this milestone achieved, NBC continues to broaden the initiative as a driver of nation-building, youth leadership, and career readiness.

NBC’s Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director, Soromidayo George, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s consistent investment in Nigeria’s social and economic progress. “At NBC, we believe Nigerian youths are central to the country’s advancement. By equipping them with practical skills, mentorship, and opportunities, we are not only shaping their individual futures but also driving national development. The Youth Empowered programme is a clear demonstration of our commitment to raising the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers,” she said.

The company has enhanced the programme in 2025 to deliver greater practical impact. Earlier this year, NBC sponsored selected participants for an intensive culinary masterclass with industry experts. Three winners emerged from the training, each receiving N1 million in funding to grow their businesses within Nigeria’s expanding food and hospitality industry. In addition, ten other beneficiaries were placed on internships within NBC, gaining hands-on exposure to workplace operations while sharpening their professional skills.

Since inception, Youth Empowered has trained thousands of Nigerian youths in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, career advancement, and leadership. The programme provides access to expert facilitators, mentorship opportunities, and networking platforms that help transform ideas into reality and ambition into achievement.

The 2025 edition will feature interactive workshops, skills sessions, and mentorship programmes designed to equip participants with knowledge on sustainable business building, career progression, and the use of digital tools in a modern economy. Following its Kaduna launch, the national tour will move to Ondo, Port Harcourt, Edo, Benue, Niger, Jos, and Delta States, expanding on the successes recorded in 2024 across Abuja, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Enugu, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Maiduguri.

Through this wider reach, NBC hopes to extend opportunities to more young Nigerians regardless of background or location. With every edition, the company underscores its role not just as a bottling giant but also as a development partner committed to strengthening Nigeria’s human capital. As the 2025 programme unfolds, thousands more young Nigerians are expected to benefit—gaining the mentorship, knowledge, and resources required to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and positive change agents.