When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched his Renewed Hope agenda, he promised a future where young Nigerians would not just dream big but have the tools to make those dreams a reality. However, the lingering crisis around the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) may be the most significant early test of that promise, and many young people are watching closely.
Since 2018, thousands of Nigerian students who participated in SIWES have not received their allowances. For students already struggling with tuition, rent, and feeding, the unpaid stipend, meant to support them during industrial training, has left a bitter taste.
At a recent joint press conference, the leadership of Nigeria’s four major student associations — NANS, NAPS, NAUS, and NANCES- expressed concern over the prolonged delay, stating that it has led to hardship and a decline in student participation.
“This is more than just money. It is about trust. Students now see SIWES as a waste of time because the system has failed them,” said NANS President Olushola Oladoja.
Experts attribute the prolonged inactivity of SIWES to a combination of inadequate funding, a lack of political will, and outdated systems. According to Dr Aishatu Lawal, an education policy analyst, “From 2018 till 2023, there was little or no accountability from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). It became a forgotten corner of public service.”
This breakdown contrasts sharply with similar schemes abroad. In countries like Germany, vocational training and student work placements are considered the backbone of national development, often facilitated through public-private partnerships that ensure seamless operation and payment.
“SIWES was meant to give our students real-life experience in workplaces, but instead, it has become a broken bridge,” said Dr. Lawal. “We are setting up young people to fail in a job market that demands practical skills.”
The good news? Things might be changing.
Under the new ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin, reforms are beginning to take shape. According to student leaders, the backlog of unpaid allowances is being addressed. A digital e-logbook has been introduced to improve transparency, while student representatives now have a say in how the programme is run.
For the first time in years, students report seeing genuine commitment. “We must commend the DG and President Tinubu for bringing hope back to SIWES,” said Oladoja. “But we are still watching, reforms must lead to results.”
Still, questions remain: Why did it take a whole presidential change to fix something so basic? Moreover, are the excuses of the past five years acceptable?
“For a government that says it wants to build a better future for the youth, this is a test of sincerity,” said Professor Ndubuisi Nwachukwu, a lecturer at UNILAG. “SIWES is not just about payment, it is a symbol of how seriously we take the development of our young minds.”
The ball is now in the court of the Renewed Hope agenda. For many Nigerian students, true hope will not come in words, but in action, and the N15,000 they have been waiting for since 2018.
