Onome Amuge
The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), the official bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria, has marked World Youth Day 2025 by celebrating the resilience and ingenuity of young Nigerians who are making an impact on their communities. At the heart of this celebration is the company’s flagship #YouthEmpowered initiative, a long-running programme designed to equip young people with the essential skills required for the modern workforce.
Since its inception in Nigeria in 2017, the programme has empowered over 60,000 youth through a combination of hands-on training, digital upskilling, mentorship, and entrepreneurial coaching. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing young people with the tools to either enter the formal job market or create their own businesses.
As part of this year’s activities, NBC is set to premiere a documentary that will spotlight several inspiring alumni of the YouthEmpowered programme. The film will be available to the public on NBC’s official website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms, providing a powerful platform for these stories to be shared widely.
The documentary features several changemakers who have leveraged the skills and knowledge gained from the programme to build thriving enterprises and community-focused initiatives. Among those highlighted is Esohe Ekunwe, who now leads Alpha Connect, a community initiative focused on financial literacy, wellness, and civic engagement. Ekunwe credits the YouthEmpowered program with not only shaping her business journey but also fundamentally transforming her mindset.
The film also shines a light on other alumni who have become agents of change in their respective communities. Doyin Ogunye, the founder of Women and Youth Empowerment, is featured for her environmental work in Lagos, which is focused on tackling waste and creating jobs within the circular economy. Another inspiring story is that of Kingsley Oguchechukwu, the founder of Kingsman Luxury in Enugu, who successfully turned a major business setback into a thriving fashion brand, a narrative that speaks to the program’s emphasis on resilience and adaptability.
By sharing these personal stories of success, NBC aims to reaffirm its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and supporting their vital role in the country’s development.
