In order to bridge the ‘wide gap between what is taught in classrooms and what industries need,’ it is important to put in place a ‘well-structured, one-year internship programme for engineering graduates’; the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Automotive Technology and Entrepreneurship Development, Engr. Olawale Okunade has said, adding that the proposed policy, if formulated and implemented, will lead to skills acquisition, job creation and national development.
Okunade, who made the call in an article made available to our correspondent in Abuja, expressed concern that jobs for engineering graduates have become scarce, stating: ‘Thousands of young Nigerians graduate with engineering degrees, full of hope and eager to contribute to building a better Nigeria, but sadly, many of them are met with a harsh reality – no jobs, no experience, and no opportunities to practice what they studied for five years.’
Okunade therefore called for broad-based support for the proposed internship programme for engineering graduates, noting that there is a wide gap between what is taught in classrooms and what industries need.
While saying that employers usually prefer to recruit experienced hands, he noted that it is also imperative to employ fresh graduates, stating that if fresh graduates are not employed, they will have no opportunity to gain experience.
‘The idea is simple but powerful: After completing their degree, every engineering graduate will spend one year in a real work environment, gaining hands-on training, mentorship, and experience before becoming fully licensed or seeking long-term employment.’
‘Just like doctors do a “housemanship” and pharmacists do an “internship” to sharpen their practical skills after medical school, engineers too need a professional bridge between the classroom and the real world.’
He emphasised the importance of internship for engineering graduates, saying: ‘They learn how to solve real-world problems, work in teams, and use modern tools and technology.’
‘Internship will also lead to job creation and business opportunities,’ stating that with practical skills, young engineers can start their own firms or get hired faster.
Okunade said it will strengthen Nigeria’s development. ‘More skilled engineers mean better roads, power supply, housing, factories, and infrastructure built by Nigerians for Nigerians.’
‘It is not just about getting a job, it is also about building a nation with engineers who are ready, capable, and confident,’ Okunade said.
Okunade pointed out that graduates, employers and the country will be the beneficiaries if the proposed internship policy is diligently executed.
‘The Graduates get trained in real work settings, improve their chances of getting hired, and they gain the confidence they need to start their own businesses,’ he said.
Discussing how employers will benefit, Okunade stated: ‘The employers receive well-prepared, motivated trainees, save money on onboarding and training, shape future talent to fit their industries.’
According to him, ‘Nigeria as a whole will benefit because internship will reduce unemployment, boosts local content in engineering projects while encouraging innovation and technology growth.
On how the proposed internship can be operationalised, Okunade explained that ‘graduates will be matched with companies, government agencies, or construction projects,’ then ‘mentors will guide them and assess their growth.’
He said at the end, they’ll receive a professional certification showing they are job-ready.
‘The programme can be managed by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) with support from the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and the organised private sector.
While he said that the idea of internship is not new to professional society, he noted that ‘it works around the world,’ stating that many successful countries have already adopted the practice.
‘Germany combines school with industry training, India mandates internships for all engineering students, South Africa requires work-based training before professional registration,’ Okunade said, and called on Nigeria to do the same.
Discussing possible challenges, he said there will be obstacles, such as that there ma not be enough placements, funding challenges, and issues relating supervision of interns. He however expressed optimism that the challenges are not insurmountable.
He therefore encouraged the government to support the idea by funding companies that host interns, and he encouraged the deployment of digital systems to track and evaluate performance.
Okunade further called on stakeholders at various levels to support the internship initiative, describing it as a strategy for ‘national transformation.’
‘Support it by spreading the word, talk about it in your community, on social media, and in your professional networks,’ he said.
He called on the Nigerian engineering community and members of the general public to encourage policymakers, stating: ‘Ask your representatives and senators to support laws that make it happen.’
He called on companies to facilitate the training of young engineers, and demanded accountability, stating that government and institutions need to prioritize skills acquisition, not just certificates.
The CEO expressed confidence in Nigerian youths, and called on relevant stakeholders to build the nation by building the youth. He stated: ‘Nigeria’s engineers are smart, passionate, and full of potential. What they need is the opportunity to apply their knowledge, learn by doing, and be empowered to contribute.’
According to Okunade, ‘a one-year internship is not a cost, but an investment in Nigeria’s future,’ adding that it is a way to build skilled manpower, create decent jobs, and reduce dependency on foreign expertise.
