133
By Daniel Adaji
A Nigerian engineer, Olawale Okunade, has called for the immediate introduction of a mandatory one-year internship programme for engineering graduates in the country, arguing that classroom education alone is “inadequate to fix real life problems.”
In a statement shared with Pointblanknews.com on Sunday, Okunade said thousands of engineering graduates leave Nigerian universities each year only to face the harsh realities of unemployment and lack of practical experience.
“Many of them are met with a harsh reality—no jobs, no experience, and no real chance to practice what they’ve studied for five years,” he stated.
The proposed internship, according to him, would bridge the wide gap between academic training and industry expectations.
“Employers often say, ‘We need people with experience,’ but fresh graduates ask, ‘How do we get experience if no one gives us a chance?’” he noted.
Okunade described the one-year internship as “a simple but powerful idea.” It would place engineering graduates in real work environments—such as companies, government agencies, and construction projects—where they can gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and job-readiness.
“Just like doctors do a housemanship and pharmacists do an internship, engineers too need a professional bridge between the classroom and the real world,” he said.
Highlighting the potential benefits, Okunade explained that the internship would train graduates professionally, expose them to modern tools and technologies, and help them solve real-world problems.
“It’s not just about getting a job — it’s about building a nation with engineers who are ready, capable, and confident,” he added.
The programme, he suggested, could be coordinated by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), in partnership with the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and the private sector.
“Graduates will be matched with companies or agencies, mentored, assessed, and eventually certified as job-ready,” he said.
Citing examples from other countries, Okunade said nations like Germany, India, and South Africa already run similar systems where school-based education is complemented by industry-based training. “Nigeria can — and should — do the same,” he said.
While acknowledging challenges such as limited placements, funding, and supervision, he said these can be overcome through policy support, incentives for host companies, digital performance tracking, and collaboration with local firms.
He urged Nigerians to champion the cause. “You can be part of this national transformation by spreading the word, encouraging policymakers, supporting engineering interns, and demanding accountability,” he said.
“A one-year internship is not a cost — it’s an investment in Nigeria’s future. Let’s support it. Let’s make it work with all total support and collaboration,” Okunade stated.