In an era where hands-on learning and practical skills are crucial for career readiness, the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) remains a vital bridge between academic study and professional life in Nigeria. Recent discussions at Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Enugu State bring this into sharp focus, as the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Thaddeus Eze, calls on the federal government to revisit and update the stipends provided to students under SIWES. His appeals underline a larger national conversation around the rising cost of living and the financial realities confronting young Nigerians.
At a recent courtesy visit by Industrial Training Fund (ITF) officials, Professor Eze commended the federal government for maintaining SIWES, which he described as instrumental in shaping competent graduates ready to contribute to the economy. However, he noted that the stipend paid to participating students has stagnated for years, failing to keep pace with inflation. “The stipend has remained static for years despite the rising cost of living. We commend the government’s courage in sustaining it, but we appeal for a reasonable upward review so that students can cope better during their work experience,” Eze explained.
This call echoes concerns shared by many university administrators, students, and parents across the country, especially as economic conditions have worsened. According to data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation alone has soared above 30% in 2024, compounding everyday expenses for households and particularly for university students undertaking mandatory work placements in unfamiliar cities and industries.
Renaissance University’s Partnership with Industry
Professor Eze shed light on the longstanding collaboration between Renaissance University and the ITF, a partnership that has played a pivotal role in positioning the institution as a site for professional and technical development. “Our active participation in ITF programmes and student outreaches was a factor in our university being chosen to host the zonal meeting,” he said. Such partnerships, according to Eze, not only expose students to the rigours of real-world work environments but deepen the university’s engagement with Nigeria’s broader development agenda.
Beyond technical training, Renaissance University is keen on maintaining standards as national concerns about educational quality mount. Eze noted that while there is a worrisome trend of declining standards across the country, the university distinguishes itself by investing in well-trained staff, excellent facilities, and robust student support services. “We are proud of our heritage and the kind of holistic training we give our students. Employers recognise this quality, and they hardly let our graduates go,” he stated.
A Diverse Student Body and an Inclusive Model
One of the defining attributes of Renaissance University, according to its leadership, is the diversity of its student body. Learners from all regions of Nigeria—Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and North Central—come together on its campus. The institution also boasts a growing number of alumni succeeding internationally, from graduate schools to multinational corporations.
Highlighting the university’s unique structure, Eze shared that Renaissance University was established in 2005 as the first private university licensed by the federal government east of the Niger. Operating under the American College system, it offers a fully residential, community-based experience, with all students living on campus. This model, explained Eze, helps foster not just academic excellence, but also discipline and character in a controlled environment free from negative influences such as cultism and strikes—a major issue in many Nigerian public universities.
Faith and Moral Development on Campus
Renaissance University has also carved its niche as an institution with an inclusive, ecumenical approach to faith. “We make extra efforts to ensure our students are morally guided, academically focused, and graduate on record time. This is why we have no history of cultism, no strikes, and we maintain a safe and conducive environment for learning,” Eze remarked. Daily morning prayers and respect for all denominational backgrounds are woven into campus life, ensuring students of different faiths feel welcomed while promoting shared values of discipline and uprightness.
Accreditation and Affordable Tuition Amid Challenges
The university currently operates five fully accredited colleges, offering programmes in Law, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, and specialised disciplines like Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science. According to Eze, all programmes are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other professional bodies, reflecting the institution’s compliance with national benchmarks.
Importantly, the Vice Chancellor emphasised the affordability of Renaissance University, claiming its fees to be the lowest among private universities in the country. For families grappling with the economic realities of Nigeria today, affordable access to quality higher education is no small feat.
Recognition from Industry Partners
The university’s approach and results have not gone unnoticed. Maurice Eta, ITF’s Head of Training, lauded the Renaissance University management for ensuring students access meaningful industrial training and practical skills, echoing industry-wide calls for universities to close the gap between theory and practice. “The school has been proactive in ensuring its students benefit from what the Fund provides,” he said, urging the university to sustain its commitment to hands-on professional development.
Broader Challenges Facing Students Nationwide
The situation at Renaissance University mirrors national developments. Across Nigeria, tertiary institutions—whether federal, state-owned, or private—must grapple with the realities of increased operational costs and student hardship as inflation erodes family incomes. Regular financial support programmes like SIWES stipends, while essential, are often cited as insufficient to meet the demands of commuting, feeding, and accommodation that students face during industrial attachments.
A Lagos-based education analyst told our reporter, “Initiatives like SIWES are extremely valuable, but without periodic reviews to the allowances, many students end up taking menial jobs during industrial training just to survive. This often defeats the purpose of gaining industry experience.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Experiential Learning in Nigeria
To unlock the full benefits of schemes like SIWES, several education stakeholders have called for a comprehensive review of its funding model and closer collaboration between government, tertiary institutions, and industry. According to the ITF and NUC, regular feedback from host companies, students, and alumni will be formally incorporated into future reforms to make the scheme more responsive to Nigeria’s ever-changing economic and employment landscape.
Internationally, many African nations are turning to work-study and apprenticeship models to boost graduate employment and improve the real-world readiness of young professionals, suggesting that Nigeria’s focus on programmes like SIWES is well-placed—but in need of sustained attention to funding and implementation.
Conclusion: Building Bridges to Opportunity
As the academic calendar rolls on at Renaissance University and elsewhere, the appeal for improved student support during industrial training is more than an institutional request—it is a reflection of the wider aspirations and challenges facing Nigerian youth. For thousands of families, getting a degree is only the first step; accessing meaningful experience and coping with everyday expenses remains a significant hurdle.
How well do you think Nigeria’s current work experience schemes prepare graduates for real-world challenges? Do you agree that SIWES stipends need an urgent review? Drop your perspectives in the comments below and share your thoughts on what reforms would make the biggest impact!
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