Three years ago, the Lagos state government launched an internship placement scheme called the Lagos state graduate internship programme as a renewed effort to tackle unemployment. The Lagos Graduate Internship Placement Program (GIPP) began with a cohort of 4,000 graduates and has since grown into a yearly affair that attracts thousands of graduates.
The Lagos GIPP program aligns with the state administration’s T.H.E.ME.S. agenda and the state’s youth development program. Aside from the golden opportunity to work with either a public agency or private institution, participants also qualify for a monthly stipend of N40,000 for 6 months. Interns also gain meaningful skills via a 2-week employability training that will increase their chances of landing a permanent role shortly after.
Like every internship opportunity, the Lagos State Graduate Internship Program has specific conditions that interested participants must satisfy. Below are the criteria for prospective beneficiaries:
- You must have an NYSC discharge certificate or a letter of exemption (a document issued to graduates that didn’t participate in the one-year service).
- You must also possess the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA) card that certifies the applicant as a citizen of Lagos.
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How to apply for the 2023 Lagos State Graduate Internship Placement Program
Those with the above documents should visit the program’s official website: http://gipplasg.lagosstate.gov.ng/#/main/. The next step is clicking the “Graduate” icon and then completing the biodata form that contains boxes like name, address, preferred email address, and password. After this, the system will automatically send a confirmation email to the registered address.
If it doesn’t appear in your inbox, it has likely entered the spam folder. Ensure you check there too. Once you find the mail, proceed to click the link that will then authenticate your GIPP account. Feel free to finalize the registration process. To do this, you must upload additional documents like your CV, birth certificate, and statement of result.
After this, applicants must take an assessment test that measures their basic skills and aptitude. Although the test doesn’t translate into instant employment, high scores increase your visibility to prospective employers. Anyone who fails the test the first time must wait for 7 days before they can retry.
Once your profile is live on the GIPP platform, yours will join the other profiles available for evaluation by public and private agencies. If yours stands out, there’s a high chance of being contacted. It’s worth mentioning that the GIPP platform isn’t a job search site, so don’t expect to find any section for “latest jobs.” There are no scholarship opportunities either.
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Employers will reach out to you if your profile interests them. They should do so via the platform, so be cautious of suspicious messages sent via other means. It’s worth adding that the internship status (full-time or part-time) is up to the employer.
During the internship, you will be expected to sign a logbook. Only interns that sign the above document regularly will be eligible for the monthly stipend of N40,000.
Why you should apply
Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at 33.3% while its youth unemployment rate is 42.5%. Nowadays, a university degree isn’t enough to land a dream job, or any job for that matter. As such, graduates must reinvent their job-seeking process to increase their chances of getting hired.
Internship programs are highly beneficial because they offer more than just stipends. Participants get essential on-the-job training alongside mentoring opportunities. Plus, it’s possible to be retained if your performance is superb. And even if you aren’t retained, an internship placement will equip you with the necessary professional and interpersonal abilities. It’s a win-win situation.
