Agency Launches Internship Programme For Entrepreneurs

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria has launched an undergraduate internship programme to identify, train, and empower future entrepreneurs on campuses across the country.

At the official launch of the programme held at Baze University in Abuja, the agency’s Director General, Charles Odii, announced that the program will target 10,000 internship placements through the programme in 2024.

According to a statement signed by the DG media aide, Peter Adeshina, Mr. Odii explained that the agency has secured the commitment of several prestigious firms to provide opportunities for students seeking practical knowledge and experience through the programme and unveiled Miss Farida Akuyam, a Business Management student at the university, as a pioneer participant of the programme.

He said the initiative code-named the “SMEDAN Undergraduate Internship Programme“ was designed to provide hands-on entrepreneurial experience to students through quality internships at renowned organisations.

He said, “We want to spot and nurture the builders of Nigeria’s next unicorns, and this programme is a major step towards achieving that goal. It is a significant demonstration of the agency’s commitment to advancing the MSME sub-sector by making the right investments in talent and innovation. Selected students will receive specialized training, experiential learning, networking opportunities, and mentorship.”

Punch news/Olusola Akintonde