Dangote Cement Plc, the cement conglomerate primarily controlled by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, has started an internship program to equip Nigerian students with valuable industrial exposure. This initiative, part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, seeks to bridge the gap between academic understanding and practical implementation.
During the induction ceremony for the first cohort of interns from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Tunde Mabogunje, Lagos Regional Sales Director of Dangote Cement, emphasized the program’s purpose. “This initiative is designed to provide top-performing engineering students with hands-on experience that complements their academic studies,” she said. “Our goal is to develop well-rounded engineers capable of driving innovation in the industry.”
The program’s pilot phase, which is now running in Lagos and Kano States, consists of 20 students chosen for their academic brilliance in building studies. These interns from Yaba College of Technology and Kano Polytechnic will participate in a year-long, fully financed placement where they will be trained in cement application under the supervision of Dangote Cement technical officers.
Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, complimented Dangote Cement for its “landmark achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility,” and expressed confidence in his students’ ability to meet the program’s high expectations. “This initiative is a vital link between academic achievement and practical industry experience,” Abdul said.
With an annual production capacity of 52 million tons across ten countries, Dangote Cement remains Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement producer. The company, 86% owned by Aliko Dangote, has changed Nigeria from a cement importer to a regional exporter, supplying Cameroon, Congo, and Ghana.
In the first half of 2024, Dangote Cement reported an 85.1 percent increase in revenue to $1.1 billion due to operational efficiencies and higher market demand. The company’s new internship program demonstrates its commitment to investing in human resources and promoting the growth of Nigeria’s construction sector.
