Dangote Cement Plc has launched an innovative Internship Scheme targeting students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria, with the aim of providing them with a year-long, fully-funded, hands-on work experience. This initiative, part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical, real-world application, particularly for engineering students.
During the induction of the first set of interns from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Mr. Tunde Mabogunje, Dangote Cement’s Lagos Regional Sales Director, highlighted the scheme’s focus on giving students the opportunity to apply their classroom and laboratory knowledge in real-world settings. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Dangote Cement to address the skills gap in Nigeria’s building sector by promoting vocational and technical training.
The internship program initially launched in Lagos and Kano States, involving 20 students—10 each from Yaba College of Technology and Kano Polytechnic—selected based on their academic excellence in Building Studies. These students will receive training on the proper application of cement, particularly Dangote Cement, following the standards set by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). They will be deployed to various construction sites, with Dangote Cement’s technical officers overseeing their progress.
Mr. Mabogunje emphasized the importance of vocational and technical skills for the growth of the building sector and the economy at large. He noted that the lack of such skills has negatively impacted the industry, and this internship program is a crucial step in addressing this issue. By gaining practical field experience, the interns will be better prepared to contribute significantly to the industry as well-rounded professionals.
He also pointed out that Dangote Group is deeply committed to providing vocational training to young Nigerians, equipping them with valuable skills that are essential for the nation’s development. The company has a history of recruiting and training graduates in various engineering and technology-based fields, with many now working across their industrial operations, including cement plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities.
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, expressed his gratitude to Dangote Cement for choosing the institution as a pioneer for this scheme. He praised the initiative as a significant milestone in CSR, noting that it will help bridge the gap between academic achievements and practical experience. The Rector assured that the participating students would meet expectations and that the program would successfully equip them with the necessary skills to excel in their professional careers after graduation.
