Last month, the NBC #YouthEmpowered II Tour concluded its impactful journey across multiple states in Nigeria. As MindTheGapNG, proud collaborators and advocates for youth development, we’re excited to reflect on a tour that went beyond conversations and delivered practical value to young Nigerians where it mattered most.
What #YouthEmpowered Is About
YouthEmpowered is a flagship youth development initiative of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), implemented in Nigeria by Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC). The programme is designed to equip young people with practical life, business, and employability skills that support career growth, entrepreneurship, and economic independence.
At its core, #YouthEmpowered bridges the gap between potential and opportunity, providing tools, mentorship, and exposure that help young people move from ideas to action.
Across Seven States, Skills That Actually Work
Throughout the tour, NBC showed up strong, reaching seven states with high-energy, hands-on sessions tailored to the realities young people face today. Participants engaged in practical training covering:
- Communication and personal branding
- Business planning and entrepreneurship fundamentals
- Financial literacy and basic money management
- Career readiness and workplace skills
- Planning, execution, and problem-solving
These weren’t lecture-style sessions. Young entrepreneurs and aspiring professionals asked questions, shared challenges, practiced new skills, and left with frameworks they could immediately apply to their businesses, careers, and personal growth.
Grants, Mentorship & Meaningful Connections
One of the most impactful outcomes of the tour was the tangible support provided to participants. Over 10 young entrepreneurs received ₦100,000 business grants, alongside access to mentorship and professional networks that extend well beyond the tour.
At MindTheGapNG, we understand that skills alone are not always enough. Access — to funding, guidance, and the right people — often makes the difference. Seeing participants walk away with both knowledge and real opportunities reinforced why collaborations like this matter.
Why This Matters
Nigeria’s youth population is filled with potential, but too often, that potential is limited by gaps in access, exposure, and practical support. The #YouthEmpowered II Tour addressed these gaps directly by focusing on:
- Practical, real-world skills
- Confidence-building through hands-on learning
- Mentorship and community
- Opportunities that move beyond theory
Participants didn’t just attend an event, they left better equipped to take the next step, whether that meant starting a business, improving an existing one, or approaching their career journey with more clarity and confidence.
A Shared Commitment to Youth Empowerment
For MindTheGapNG, collaborating on the #YouthEmpowered initiative reflects our shared belief with NBC: when young people are supported with the right tools and opportunities, real change happens.
This tour was not about hype. It was about impact.
Real skills. Real opportunities. Real futures.
