Nestlé Professional, the out-of-home business division of Nestlé Nigeria, has enhanced the business skills of local street food vendors in Sokoto State through its Business of Food workshop.
This marks the eighth edition of the initiative, which has so far empowered over 1,900 food businesses across seven states, equipping them with essential skills to grow their businesses and improve their income.
The workshop attracted diverse food operators, including canteen owners, grillers, ‘Maishais,’ and traditional bukas—key contributors to food accessibility in Nigeria’s low-income communities.
These street food vendors serve millions of Nigerians daily, making the sector one of the fastest-growing in the country.
Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional Nigeria, emphasized the broad focus of the training, saying, “We are thrilled to bring this Business of Food workshop to Sokoto because we recognise that the business of food extends beyond preparing delicious meals. It involves a focus on nutrition, pricing, presentation, taste, and hygiene.”
She added that the initiative aims to provide food vendors of all sizes with knowledge and tools derived from Nestlé’s global insights and local experience, fostering lasting growth and improvement in the local food industry.
The empowerment program focuses on areas crucial to business success, such as culinary techniques, menu planning, customer engagement, and hygiene practices.
By supporting food vendors in these key areas, Nestlé Professional aims to foster sustainable change, providing these business operators with the tools to enhance quality, boost customer satisfaction, and ultimately increase profitability.