Bridging the Gap Between Young Talent and Business Needs
In May 2025, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) launched a new digital innovation designed to solve one of Nigeria’s most persistent challenges—youth unemployment. Named the Abuja internship portal, this platform is built to connect students, recent graduates, and job seekers with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Federal Capital Territory. It’s not just another job board. It’s a structured, policy-aligned, and tech-enabled solution that aims to boost employability, reduce SME staffing bottlenecks, and promote long-term economic inclusion.
Unemployment in Nigeria stands at over 33% according to recent National Bureau of Statistics data. For youth (ages 15–35), the numbers are even higher. At the same time, tens of thousands of SMEs struggle to afford or manage full-time employees—even when they desperately need support in operations, marketing, IT, and customer service.
The result? A frustrating mismatch. Businesses need talent. Young people need experience. But no system existed to bridge the two—until now.
The Abuja internship portal, developed by ACCI’s BEST Centre (Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology), offers a digital bridge: an organized, transparent marketplace where businesses can list real opportunities, and young professionals can apply for vetted internships with mentorship, certification, and industry exposure built in.
This article breaks down exactly how the platform works, who it serves, why it matters, and how it’s poised to transform the SME and youth employment landscape in Nigeria—starting from the capital.
The Problem the Portal Solves
Nigeria’s youth face a brutal paradox: graduate unemployment is high, but businesses—especially SMEs—complain that they can’t find skilled entry-level workers. This isn’t a matter of laziness or lack of jobs. It’s a structural breakdown in how talent is sourced, trained, and absorbed into the real economy.
High Graduate Unemployment with No Work Experience
Tertiary institutions in Nigeria release over 500,000 graduates annually. Yet many can’t secure employment because they:
- Lack practical experience
- Don’t have workplace skills
- Can’t access internships unless they have personal connections
This creates a cycle: no job without experience, no experience without a job.
SMEs Need Talent But Can’t Afford Risk
On the other end, SMEs make up 96% of all businesses in Nigeria. They need help with admin, sales, digital tools—but:
- Can’t afford full-time salaries or training time
- Fear taking on unreliable interns without vetting
- Often operate informally, without clear HR structures
So even when they want to give young people a chance, there’s no easy system to make it happen.
No Centralized, Transparent Platform
Most internships in Nigeria happen through:
- Family or school connections
- Social media groups
- Paid job boards or agents
That means:
- Interns often work without supervision, structure, or accountability
- SMEs don’t know where to find motivated interns
- There’s no way to track impact or scale
Enter the Abuja internship portal: a centralized, digital solution backed by a recognized institution, built to serve both interns and SMEs with transparency and structure.
Key Features of the Abuja Internship Portal
The Abuja internship portal is not just a database—it’s a full-featured, interactive ecosystem built to solve the real-life pain points facing both interns and SMEs.
Verified SME Listings
Every employer on the platform is vetted. To post an opportunity, SMEs must register with:
- CAC registration number
- Business address
- Sector of operation
This reduces fraud and ensures interns are matched with real, structured companies—not vague side hustles.
Intern Registration and Matching
Interns can create digital profiles, upload CVs, select their areas of interest (e.g., marketing, finance, tech), and view open internship roles. The system matches them with appropriate companies based on:
- Location preference (Garki, Wuse, Gwagwalada, etc.)
- Skill fit
- Availability
Duration and Flexibility
Internships range from 4 weeks to 6 months, with both physical and remote options. This flexibility accommodates:
- Students on SIWES or IT programs
- NYSC corps members seeking PPA experience
- Fresh graduates waiting for job offers
Structured Feedback and Certification
Each intern placement includes:
- Supervisor evaluation forms
- Intern performance ratings
- Digital certificates issued by ACCI on completion
This gives interns something tangible to show future employers.
Digital Dashboard for Tracking
Both interns and employers get personalized dashboards to:
- Track applications
- Schedule interviews
- Submit feedback
- Download reports
This data is also aggregated by ACCI for performance monitoring.
No Fees, No Middlemen
The portal is free to use. No agent fees, no pay-to-play listing. This democratizes access and ensures the platform remains transparent.
Who Can Use the Portal
For Interns
The Abuja internship portal is designed for young Nigerians aged 18–35 who are:
- University or polytechnic students in their IT/SIWES year
- NYSC corps members serving in Abuja
- Recent graduates awaiting NYSC or job placements
- Youth with vocational or digital skills seeking work experience
They must have basic computer literacy, an updated CV, and a willingness to learn in a structured environment.
For SMEs
Eligible employers include:
- Registered SMEs in Abuja with 2–50 employees
- Tech startups
- Social enterprises
- Service providers (e.g., logistics, food, finance)
- Creative and media agencies
Businesses must commit to assigning a supervisor, completing feedback forms, and respecting interns’ work terms.
Sectors Covered
The portal spans key growth sectors in Nigeria’s informal and formal economies, including:
- Technology: software development, digital marketing, tech support
- Finance: accounting firms, microfinance, bookkeeping
- Agribusiness: processing, agro-logistics, food production
- Creative: design, photography, media houses
- Retail & Services: fashion, beauty, e-commerce, logistics
- Administrative: HR firms, office management, legal assistants
This reflects Abuja’s real business environment and creates diverse opportunities for youth across skill levels.
How the Matching Algorithm Works
The Abuja internship portal uses a semi-automated matching system to ensure that interns are not just randomly placed. Here’s how it functions:
Profile Scoring
Each intern is scored based on:
- Education level
- Skill tags selected (e.g., Excel, graphic design)
- Preferred sector
- Availability (full-time, part-time)
- Language proficiency
Employers’ role descriptions are similarly scored for compatibility.
Geo-Targeted Matching
Interns are matched to businesses based on:
- Location (Wuse, Kubwa, Garki, etc.)
- Remote options (if selected)
- Transport accessibility
This reduces friction and dropout rates.
Priority for Underserved Groups
The system flags and prioritizes:
- Female interns in male-dominated fields
- Interns with disabilities
- First-time job seekers
This aligns with inclusive employment policies and SDG goals.
Early Success Stories
Since the soft launch of the Abuja internship portal in Q1 2025, hundreds of interns and SMEs have already used the system. Early success stories include:
1. Kene from Bwari Lands a Tech Support Internship
Kene, a 24-year-old IT graduate from UniAbuja, used the portal to secure a three-month internship at a tech startup in Maitama. He now supports their CRM system and is being considered for a full-time role after completing his NYSC.
2. Halima, a Corps Member, Rebrands a Fashion SME
Deployed to FCT for NYSC, Halima used her design skills to help an SME in Garki rebrand its clothing line. She built their Canva templates, redesigned their Instagram page, and helped increase engagement by 60%.
3. Five Interns Retained by Businesses After Internship
As of May 2025, at least five interns have received job offers from the businesses where they interned—ranging from admin assistant roles to junior marketing positions. That’s direct employment impact.
Government and Stakeholder Support
One of the most promising aspects of the Abuja internship portal is that it isn’t a standalone project. It’s backed by strong institutional and policy frameworks that give it the staying power most youth initiatives lack.
Backed by ACCI and the BEST Centre
The portal is powered by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre. The BEST Centre is known for:
- SME training programs
- Skill development for job seekers
- Industry-academic linkages
That credibility brings both structure and trust to the portal.
Alignment with Federal Employment Strategies
The initiative supports Nigeria’s broader employment and skills strategy, especially:
- The National Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP)
- The Federal Ministry of Labour’s internship frameworks
- The Nigeria Start-up Act and its youth innovation policies
It also supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Endorsements and Participation
As of June 2025, the initiative has gained:
- Collaboration interest from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
- Mentions in NASME (National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises) workshops
- Engagement with NYSC FCT directorate for youth deployment
This multi-stakeholder buy-in increases legitimacy and ensures sustainability.
Future Plans for the Abuja Internship Portal
While the current version of the Abuja internship portal focuses on internship placements within the FCT, the long-term vision extends far beyond city limits and basic placements.
Expansion to Other States
The ACCI is already in talks with other state Chambers of Commerce to adopt the platform in places like Kaduna, Jos, and Port Harcourt. The idea is to build a nationwide youth-employer engagement system, customized by region.
Integration with Academic Institutions
The portal is expected to integrate directly with tertiary institutions. That means:
- SIWES departments uploading placement requests automatically
- Schools receiving feedback data for grading purposes
- Faculty input in internship structure
This eliminates the chaos that students currently face in finding industrial training slots.
Paid Internship Model (Phase 2)
While current internships are mostly unpaid, the Chamber is designing a phase 2 upgrade that encourages stipends through:
- Private sector sponsorships
- Tax credits for SMEs that pay interns
- Matching funds from development agencies
This creates dignity of labor and reduces attrition.
Skill Assessments and Micro-Certifications
The portal will soon include mini-courses and assessments in:
- Workplace ethics
- Basic Excel and Google Workspace
- Communication and email writing
Interns can earn micro-certificates before placement, improving readiness and matching precision.
Alumni Network and Mentorship
Plans are also underway to create a structured alumni community for:
- Former interns turned employees
- Youth-owned businesses hiring new interns
- Senior professionals mentoring incoming candidates
This builds continuity, peer learning, and professional growth across the ecosystem.
Why This Portal Is a Game Changer
Nigeria doesn’t lack talent. It lacks structured access to opportunity. The Abuja internship portal tackles this challenge head-on. It removes friction from three directions at once:
- Young people no longer need to beg for internships or settle for exploitation.
- SMEs can find motivated interns without administrative overhead or risk.
- Policymakers and educators get real-time labor market insights through platform data.
Most importantly, it gives young Nigerians a taste of the real world—its pace, its pressure, its promise—and prepares them to enter it not as spectators but as contributors. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, or a policymaker, the Abuja internship portal is worth engaging with. It’s not just about internships. It’s about building the workforce—and the economy—we’ve all been waiting for.
