The Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Professor Okechukwu Onuchuku, has called on the Federal Government to consider an upward review of the ₦15,000 allowance paid to students participating in the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
Professor Onuchuku made the call on Monday August 24, 2026 while declaring open the 2026 SIWES Orientation Programme for students at the university auditorium.
Represented at the event by the Head of Ndele Campus, Professor Isaac Ogundu, the Vice-Chancellor said the current allowance was no longer commensurate with prevailing economic realities, noting that SIWES students perform meaningful fieldwork and provide valuable services to organisations during their industrial training.
He argued that better remuneration would motivate students, improve their attitude and professionalism at their places of attachment, reduce distractions and help offset the cost of transportation and feeding.
Professor Onuchuku also called for a review of the ₦5,000 allowance paid to SIWES supervisors, describing the amount as no longer sustainable.
He proposed stronger collaboration between the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to provide adequate funding for students and supervisors through their respective universities.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the SIWES Director, Silverline Igweagbara, for organising the orientation and assured the SIWES Unit of the university’s continued support.
He urged participating students to be good ambassadors of the university, embrace mentorship, uphold honesty and professionalism, build positive relationships and turn challenges into opportunities.
In her remarks, the Director of SIWES at IAUE, Silverline Igweagbara, said the orientation was designed to broaden the students’ knowledge and equip them with practical skills that would make them self-reliant and better prepared for the workplace.
Meanwhile in their separate speeches, officials of the Industrial Training Fund, including the Area Manager, Rumuokwuta, Oladimeji Ebenezer, SIWES Officer, Obinna Ojuahanu, and Head of Finance and SIWES Accountant, Opeyemi Adejare, explained that the scheme was designed to bridge the gap between academic theories and industrial practices. They advised students to maintain active personal bank accounts and obtain their National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN) and other required identification codes.
The officials also urged the students to protect the property of their employers and demonstrate discipline, responsibility and professionalism throughout their industrial attachment.
SIWES, established by the Industrial Training Fund in 1973, is designed to expose students of tertiary institutions to practical workplace experience and enable them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations.
The scheme also seeks to develop students’ professional, communication and teamwork skills while preparing them for employment and self-reliance after graduation.
