A Legacy of Training Excellence
The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has once again demonstrated its enduring commitment to building Nigeria’s industrial future. At its Ikeja Plant in Lagos, the company celebrated the graduation of 69 young professionals from the 27th edition of its Supply Chain Academy.
The milestone was more than a ceremony. It marked another chapter in NBC’s investment in talent development, industrial growth, and youth empowerment. Government officials, industry leaders, and community representatives gathered to applaud the graduates who are now equipped to shape the manufacturing sector.
Nearly Three Decades of Impact
Since its inception in 1996, the Supply Chain Academy has grown into a benchmark institution for technical and leadership training in Nigeria’s beverage industry. Over the years, it has enrolled 1,460 trainees, with more than 920 finding career paths within NBC. Notably, 94 alumni have risen to senior positions, including a Plant Manager.
This track record underscores the Academy’s role in not just creating jobs but grooming leaders. It has positioned NBC as a trusted incubator of skills that fuel Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
Training Beyond the Classroom
The program attracts Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holders from polytechnics across Nigeria. It also extends to NBC’s existing workforce, ensuring a continuous cycle of growth and knowledge transfer. Every year, over 1,100 employees participate in tailored courses designed to sharpen technical expertise and enhance leadership capabilities.
What sets the Academy apart is its immersive model. Trainees rotate between classroom sessions, mini production lines, and simulations such as driver training modules. With access to a digital learning lab, on-site clinic, library, and canteen, participants are supported holistically as they build technical and personal skills.
Leadership Voices on Growth and Sustainability
Speaking at the ceremony, NBC Managing Director, Goran Sladic, positioned the Academy as a flagship of NBC’s mission.
“The Supply Chain Academy is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” Sladic said. “Our investments in technology, infrastructure, and talent are not just about growing our business, but about empowering people and embedding sustainability.”
He also praised the graduates’ innovation project, a Smart Traffic Light system. The solution replaces traditional convex mirrors with a safer and more efficient design for NBC’s facilities. “This type of ingenuity will define the future of our industry,” Sladic added.
Voices of Recognition
The event also drew dignitaries including Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende; NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde; and Onigbongbo LCDA Chairman, Adebanjo Moyosore. All acknowledged NBC’s role in bridging the nation’s skills gap and preparing young people for industrial leadership.
Words from the Valedictorian
Valedictorian Anosike Miracle expressed heartfelt gratitude to NBC and the Academy’s trainers. He encouraged his fellow graduates to apply their new knowledge with purpose and consistency.
“Success is not always about being number one,” he said. “It is about being consistent, being passionate, and staying true to who we are. Let us carry forward the lessons learned, the friendships built, and the values instilled in us to inspire the next generation.”
Building Nigeria’s Manufacturing Future
NBC’s Supply Chain Academy continues to stand as a model of what focused talent investment can achieve. By combining technical training with leadership development, it prepares not only employees but future captains of industry.
The graduation of these 69 trainees reinforces a bigger story: one company’s commitment to shaping the workforce that will define Nigeria’s industrial growth for decades to come.
