Tunde Onakoya and Akintunde Sultan Launch Initiative to Bridge Internship Gap for Nigerian Students
Chess master Tunde Onakoya, alongside Akintunde Sultan, Co-founder of AltSchool Africa, and Samuel Otigba of Vendy, have joined forces to launch SIWES-connect, a timely social initiative aimed at connecting Nigerian students and recent graduates with much-needed internship opportunities. Recognizing the challenges many face in securing valuable practical experience, the trio are leveraging their combined networks to tackle this critical issue.
A Social Movement, Not a Formal Platform
According to Akintunde Sultan, SIWES-connect is conceived as a movement rather than a structured company or platform. The core objective is to bridge the gap between students actively seeking internship placements and companies seeking talent. The founders are primarily relying on their existing social networks to spread awareness and attract companies to participate in the initiative. As Sultan explained in an interview, the initiative is still in its early stages, and a fully developed strategy is yet to be implemented. The current approach focuses on leveraging their networks to reach as many companies as possible and build a pool of potential internship providers.
SIWES-connect represents a grassroots effort to address a persistent problem in the Nigerian education system: the difficulty students face in finding relevant internship placements. By leveraging the social capital of its founders, the initiative hopes to create a more accessible pathway for students to gain practical experience and enhance their employability prospects. This initiative highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing critical needs within the African tech and education landscape.
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