By Emeleze Victor Onos
The 2026 graduation ceremony of the Learning for Life programme in Lagos, turned into a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and opportunity as government officials, private sector leaders, hospitality stakeholders, and beneficiaries gathered to honour over 150 young Nigerians trained in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and workplace readiness.
The programme, supported by Diageo Nigeria, in partnership with Celebrate Life, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, and the Lagos State Government, is one of the leading youth employability initiatives in the state.
Speaking during the event, Chiamaka Anenechukwu , Executive Assistant to the General Manager Diageo Nigeria and current Learning for Life Project Manager, described the programme as a long standing initiative designed to remove barriers to employment for young people.
“Learning for Life did not just start. It’s not a new programme, but it has been in existence. We had this run in 2008 in Latin America, and we had something very simple in mind. It was just a belief to break down the walls of barriers to employment for young people,” she said.
According to her, the initiative has impacted more than 200,000 beneficiaries across 21 countries, including Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, and Tanzania.
“Globally, over 59 per cent of Learning for Life beneficiaries are women, and here in Nigeria we have 68 per cent of our graduates who are females,” she added.
Providing details of the Nigerian programme, she revealed that over 1,100 young people applied, while 740 candidates were shortlisted. Out of the shortlisted candidates, 303 participants completed an intensive induction and classroom training covering hospitality, health and hygiene, personal branding, conflict management, and financial literacy.
She explained that 157 participants proceeded to complete an 11 week hands on internship placement across hotels, restaurants, lounges, and bars in Lagos State.
“What followed afterwards was very extraordinary,” she said.
“157 of those individuals went further, committing 11 weeks of hands on internship placement across hotels, across bars, across restaurants, across lounges, across Lagos State.”
The project manager also paid tribute to key contributors behind the programme’s success, singling out sustainability expert Christiana Robinson for special recognition.
“She’s the brainchild behind this project,” Chiamaka said. “She got something that no job description can fully capture.”
She emphasized that the programme was built not just around statistics but around transforming lives and creating opportunities.
“This programme is not just built for numbers; it was built for intent,” she told the graduates. “The version of you that filled out the applications, not knowing what was going to be written for you after then,here you are today, graduated.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from representatives of the Lagos State Government, who reaffirmed the state’s commitment to youth development, vocational training, and economic empowerment.
A visibly elated Lagos State Commissioner of youth and social development, Hon. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende. Stressed the fact that the government cannot do it alone and effort like this by the private sector must be encourage and supported .
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, a government representative praised the initiative for addressing youth unemployment through practical skills acquisition.
“The Learning for Life initiative reflects a practical and forward looking approach to youth development by equipping participants with relevant skills in hospitality and entrepreneurship, employability, and healthy workplace culture,” the representative said.
The official stressed that simply condemning social vices among young people was not enough.
“It is not enough to stiffly criticise negative trends, such as cyber crime and other unproductive activities among some young people. We must also intentionally equip our youths with the skills, exposure, and opportunities required to create meaningful economic value and build productive futures,” she stated.
Describing tourism, hospitality, arts, and culture as vital sectors for economic growth and social inclusion, the representative noted that the state government remained committed to supporting initiatives that translate learning into productivity.
“To achieve this vision, we must continue to invest in our youth, support private sector partnerships, and create an enabling environment where learning translates into productivity, and talent translates into impact,” she added.
Addressing the graduates directly, the representative encouraged them to embrace professionalism and excellence.
“Today is not just the end of the training programme; it is the beginning of greater responsibility and wider opportunities,” she said.
“Be confident, be professional, and be committed to excellence in whatever field you choose to pursue.”
She further reminded participants that success should go beyond personal gain.
“Success is not only about personal achievement. It is about contribution. It is about using your skills to uplift others, strengthen your community, and add value to society,” she added, urging them to become “ambassadors of the Learning for Life experience wherever you go.”
Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Yetunde Kalesanwo , who heads the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, described the programme as “a celebration of empowerment, achievement, and opportunity.”
She praised the collaboration between government and private organizations in creating opportunities for young people.
“The Learning for Life programme is highly commendable for its focus on practical hospitality, entrepreneurship, and employability skills at a time when skills development and youth empowerment are critical to our economic growth and social stability,” she said.
Encouraging the graduates to continue learning beyond the programme, she told participants:
“This is not the end. You must be willing to learn more. The world today rewards creativity, professionalism, and resilience.”
She further urged them not to become complacent after graduation.
“Don’t think you have arrived, you have just started,” she warned.
One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony came during the testimony of one of the graduate Faustina Onyinye who shared how the programme transformed her life after years of hardship and personal loss.
“I’ve lost both my parents,” the young graduate revealed emotionally. “From then on, life has not been very kind.”
She explained that she initially doubted the programme when she first heard about it.
“At first, to be honest, I was quite sceptical. I was not sure what to expect, especially because it sounded too good to be true,” she said.
However, she decided to apply, describing the decision as “a leap of faith.”
The graduate recounted how the intensive training helped her overcome extreme shyness and prepared her for her internship placement as a receptionist at De Padova Hotel Ago Palace way.
“One session that stuck with me the most was on customer service and resolving conflict in the workplace,” she said. “I never thought I would be able to handle presentations, especially because I used to be a very shy person.”
She added that the programme completely changed her outlook and future.
“Today I can confidently say that this programme has completely changed my life. It has given me knowledge, confidence, and a clear direction for my future,” she stated.
The audience erupted in applause when she announced that she had been retained by the hotel after her internship.
“I am especially grateful because I’m now given the opportunity to continue working at the hotel,” she said.
In one of the most moving lines of the ceremony, the graduate reflected on the importance of opportunity and belief.
“Sometimes miracle is not magic,” she said emotionally. “Sometimes miracle is just an opportunity, and someone believing in you before you believe in yourself.”
Hospitality industry stakeholders also praised the initiative for helping to shape a new generation of professionals.
Augustine, a hospitality business owner who hosted 28 interns from the programme, said the trainees displayed remarkable dedication and professionalism during their placements.
“We are proud to have had 28 interns deployed to our outlet, and they all performed very thoughtfully in this programme. Their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to learn were very, very impressive,” he said.
Reflecting on his own transition from accounting into hospitality after over two decades, Augustine encouraged graduates to embrace the industry proudly.
“Whatever you’ve learned is not your worst, but to be an ambassador to the world for them to understand the importance of hospitality,” he said.
The event also featured networking sessions, entertainment presentations, recognition of outstanding graduates, and calls for the programme to expand to other parts of Nigeria.
Officials disclosed that the next phase of Learning for Life would focus on strengthening partnerships, increasing access to training opportunities, and deepening support for youth employability in Lagos State.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to continue investing in young Nigerians through vocational training, mentorship, and industry collaboration aimed at building sustainable livelihoods and reducing unemployment.
