Nestlé Trains 2600 Food Vendors to Boost Skills and Grow Businesses in Nigeria
Nestlé Nigeria, through its out-of-home business arm Nestlé Professional, has supported more than 2,600 food vendors across 11 states with training and empowerment programmes under its Business of Food workshop series.
The most recent workshop was held in Bauchi State, where 250 food vendors, caterers, and canteen operators took part in practical training designed to improve their cooking and business management skills.
According to Ibraheem Awelenje, Business Manager at Nestlé Professional Nigeria, the initiative is designed to help small food businesses in Nigeria succeed in the country’s highly competitive food industry. He explained that the goal is not only to help food vendors survive but also to thrive by combining tradition with innovation.
“Food entrepreneurs in Bauchi have strong cultural roots but are also eager to embrace new ideas. By providing them with the right skills, practical knowledge, and opportunities to network, we are investing in businesses that create jobs, feed families, and preserve Nigeria’s culinary culture,” he said.
The workshop covered key areas such as hygiene, menu planning, food pricing, customer service, and food styling. A live cooking session was also conducted by Nigerian chef Chef Paulina, who demonstrated creative ways to modernize traditional dishes like Dafadukan Shinkafa Da Awara.
Participants later joined a cooking challenge where winners were celebrated for their creativity, taste, and presentation.
One of the participants, Justina Stephen, Managing Director of Justfine Restaurants, expressed gratitude to Nestlé for the opportunity. She noted that the training exposed her to new ideas, especially in pricing meals and menu planning, which she believes will help her business grow and become more profitable.
Since it started, the Business of Food initiative has helped thousands of vendors across Nigeria to improve customer satisfaction, build stronger businesses, and increase their income. Nestlé stated that the programme reflects its commitment to promoting innovation, improving nutrition, and creating long-term economic opportunities for small food entrepreneurs.
