By Angela Atabo
A real estate firm, Bilaad Realty, says it has secured 150 internship slots to equip young Nigerians with practical industry skills.
Dr Sadiq Abdullahi, Coordinating Trustee at Bilaad Development Trust (BDT), disclosed this during the 4th edition of the Gem Hunt Series in Abuja.
The event, with the theme, “Reboot Nigeria: Echoes from the Past, Visions of the Future”, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic training and industry experience.
According to Abdullahi, the ambitious youth mentorship initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical skills across multiple sectors of the economy.
He emphasised that private sector participation was essential to national growth as government would not shoulder development responsibilities alone.
“Bilaad has leveraged our professional network and secured over 150 internship slots from blue-chip companies.
“We have also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with universities to identify high-performing students from Science Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) fields.”
Abdullahi said that the initiative targets students during holiday periods, transforming what will typically be idle time into productive learning experiences.
Abdullahi emphasised that beyond internship placements, BDT also provides comprehensive support tailored to individual needs.
According to him, entrepreneurs receive funding support to launch and scale their ventures, while those specialising in branding benefit from introductions to established professionals within the branding industry through BDT’s extensive network.
“The initiative represents Bilaad Realty’s broader commitment to youth development and demonstrates the critical role private sector organisations can play in addressing Nigeria’s skills gap and unemployment challenges.
“Bilaad Realty is one of Nigeria’s leading real estate firms committed to excellence in property development and youth empowerment.
“Through its Corporate Social Responsibility and social impact platform, Bilaad Development Trust, the company actively contributes to national development by investing in the next generation of Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gem Hunt Series 4.0 recognised outstanding young Nigerians across multiple categories .(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
