By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The leadership of Nigeria’s major student unions has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the new Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for transformative reforms in the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), describing the recent developments as a ‘paradigm shift’ that aligns with the president’s Renewed Hope agenda.

At a joint press briefing held in Abuja, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Olushola Oladoja, alongside representatives of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), National Association of University Students (NAUS), and the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), addressed the media on long-standing issues surrounding SIWES and recent progress achieved through student engagement with the ITF.

The students revealed that for the first time in years, clear and measurable reforms have been introduced to address problems that have plagued the SIWES programme, chief among them being unpaid student allowances dating as far back as 2018.

Oladoja stated, “It is regrettable to note that thousands of Nigerian students who participated in the SIWES programme since 2018 have not received their allowances.

“These unpaid stipends have caused immense hardship, discouraged student participation, and have made mockery of a programme designed to prepare students for industrial relevance.”

However, the student bodies collectively affirmed that sustained engagement with the new ITF leadership under the current Director-General has yielded tangible outcomes. Among the most notable achievements are the approval of backlog payments, improved supervision, elimination of logbook charges, and the introduction of a digital e-logbook system to enhance transparency and ease of access.

“As a result of our sustained engagements and the DG’s responsive disposition, we are pleased to announce the following developments: prompt payment of SIWES allowances, seamless supervision, cancellation of logbook charges, and the introduction of the e-Logbook system,” the joint statement read.

The student leaders further disclosed that for the first time in the history of the scheme, student representatives now sit on SIWES committees, giving them a voice in policy formulation and monitoring processes.

“Student representation in SIWES committees marks a new dawn. For the first time, students now have a voice in SIWES policy formulation and monitoring processes,” Oladoja noted.

They also applauded the DG’s efforts in tackling systemic corruption, saying fraudulent practices that previously characterized the programme have been curtailed through new transparency mechanisms and control measures.

The student bodies expressed satisfaction with the commitment and leadership style of the new DG, noting that his proactive approach reflects the values of accountability and innovation.

“We sincerely appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the thoughtful appointment of such a dedicated, patriotic, and visionary Nigerian as Director-General of ITF. This singular appointment has rekindled hope and trust in the system,” the statement added.

While urging all affected students to remain patient as backlog payments are processed, the student leaders reiterated their full support for the ITF DG’s mandate to build a productive and employable youth population through a revitalized SIWES.

The unions pledged continued cooperation with the ITF and expressed hope that the reforms would be sustained for the benefit of future students.