The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has graduated 69 trainees from the 27th edition of its supply chain academy, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and industrial development.
The ceremony, held at NBC’s Ikeja Plant in Lagos, attracted government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders.
Established in 1996, the Academy has become a key platform for technical and leadership training in Nigeria’s beverage industry. Over the years, it has enrolled 1,460 trainees, with about 920 securing employment at NBC. Notably, 94 alumni now occupy senior roles, including one Plant Manager, underscoring its role in developing future leaders for the manufacturing sector.
Each year, the program recruits top Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holders from polytechnics nationwide while also providing specialized training for NBC staff. More than 1,100 employees benefit annually from tailored courses designed to enhance skills and sustain growth across the business.
The curriculum combines classroom learning with practical experience, including mini production lines, driver simulators, safety behavior modules, and access to facilities such as a digital learning lab, library, clinic, and canteen.
NBC Managing Director, Goran Sladic, described the Academy as a flagship initiative in the company’s mission to strengthen human capital and industrial capacity.
“The Supply Chain Academy is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” he said. “Our investments in technology, infrastructure, and talent are not just about growing our business, but about empowering people, building local capabilities, and embedding sustainability.”
Sladic also commended the graduates for their innovative project, Smart Traffic Light, designed to enhance workplace safety by replacing traditional convex mirrors with a more efficient system.
In his goodwill message, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, joined other dignitaries—including NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde and Onigbongbo LCDA Chairman Adebanjo Moyosore—in applauding NBC’s contribution to bridging Nigeria’s skills gap.
Valedictorian Anosike Miracle, speaking on behalf of the graduating class, expressed gratitude to NBC and the Academy’s trainers.
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He urged fellow graduates to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
“Success is not always about being number one; it is about consistency, passion, and staying true to who we are,” he said.
