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Diageo Nigeria, in partnership with Celebr-8 Lyfe and the Lagos State Government, under its flagship Learning for Life (L4L) programme, has targeted empowering 250 Nigerian youths, with additional focus on women and People Living with Disability (PLWD).
Mr Adebayo Alli, General Manager for Diageo, made this known on Monday in Lagos during its official launch and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 Learning for Life launch is supported by a formal MOU between Diageo Nigeria, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other stakeholders.
This agreement confirms a shared commitment to workforce development, gender inclusion, and sustainable employment across the hospitality value chain.
The Diageo general manager stated that the opportunity would target 250 unemployed participants from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout Lagos.
He said that 60 per cent of these participants would be females and 10 per cent PLWD.
All noted that the L4L 2025 flagship edition in Lagos marked the first rollout of the transformative initiative in Nigeria.
He said the programme would equip 250 unemployed and underrepresented youths with the practical skills, experience, and potential job opportunities they needed to thrive in the hospitality and tourism industry.
This development, Alli revealed, was in line with Diageo’s broader commitment to empowerment and sustainable growth across the continent.
“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 stated.
Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the partnership between Diageo and the Lagos State Government was a shining example of how public-private collaboration could drive meaningful change.
Sanwo-Olu was represented by Commissioner, Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State, Mr Akinyemi Ajigbotafe.
The governor said this collaboration particularly addressed challenges of unemployment and skills development.
He stated that the state government had prioritised women and persons with disabilities in its programme, which reflects a shared vision that no leadership will be left behind in the march towards progress.
Sanwo-Olu pledged to sponsor 250 additional persons as part of the state’s commitment to the future of its young people.
“With the youth making up over 60 per cent of our population, we bear unique responsibility to equip our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in an ever-evolving global community.
“This will ensure that they can contribute most meaningfully to the economic activities of Lagos State.
“The Learning for Life programme, which is focused on hospitality, bartending, entrepreneurship and retail, is a vital step toward achieving this goal.
“To Diageo Nigeria, I commend your commitment to community development and your foresight in recognising the hospitality sector’s potential as a catalyst for economic empowerment,” he said.
Mr Shobhit Jindal, General Manager, Celebr-8 Lyfe, expressed his belief that youth empowerment must be practical, inclusive, and sustainable.
Jindal stated that the collaboration was not just training young people, but preparing them to lead, thrive, and transform the hospitality industry from within.
He revealed that the comprehensive curriculum of L4L covered modules including hospitality business essentials, communication and teamwork, bar skills confidence building, budgeting and others.
He added that the programme also addressed critical social topics such as gender, disability and inclusion awareness, dealing with sexual harassment, and positive drinking practices.
“Following the one-week classroom and online training phases, participants will embark on an 11-week internship in reputable hospitality businesses across Lagos, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, lounges and airports.
“Those who perform exceptionally will be offered full-time employment at the end of the programme.
“In addition, all trainees will receive transportation stipends and continued career support through the Diageo bar academy platform,” he said.
Jindal said that applications for the first cohort open on July 14, 2025, and close on July 28, with in-person training set to kick-off on August 11th.
He added that the internships would run from September 1 to November 17, 2025, with job offers for top performers following in mid-November.
“Interested candidates can apply at http://bit.ly/3G6557V and visit the diageo bar academy website at www.diageobaracademy.com for more information about the programme,” he said.
