Do SIWES Students Get Paid in Nigeria? ITF Stipend, Company Pay and How to Claim

Some SIWES students are paid and many are not. What decides it is who pays, how much, and whether your paperwork is right. Most students who miss out on the ITF allowance do so because of missing or wrongly filled documents, not because they were not eligible.

This guide covers who pays SIWES students in Nigeria, what to expect from each, the documents you need to claim, and what to do when payment is late.

The short answer

• ITF allowance: a small payment, about ₦15,000 for a six-month placement, paid after your training ends and your school submits your documents. It is often late and not guaranteed.
• Your host company: may pay an allowance, but it does not have to. Large private companies pay most; government offices usually do not.
• Your documents decide whether ITF pays. A mistake in your logbook, forms or bank details can stop it.

Who pays SIWES students in Nigeria?

1. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

The ITF is the federal agency behind SIWES. It pays eligible students a small allowance after training.

• Amount: usually about ₦15,000 for a six-month placement.
• When: after your training ends and your school sends your documents to the ITF.
• Reality: payments are often delayed, and some students are never paid because of missing documents or funding problems.

2. Your host company

Companies decide for themselves whether to pay. Many do something small for transport and food, and some pay a monthly allowance.

Ask before you accept a placement. A short message to the company, "Is there an allowance for SIWES students?", saves you from surprises later.

When does the ITF pay?

The ITF pays after your placement is complete and your school has submitted your records. It does not pay during training. There is no fixed date: some students are paid within months, others wait a year or more, and some never receive it.

Timing depends mostly on how quickly your school's SIWES coordinator submits the documents, and on how correct they are.

How to qualify for the ITF allowance

You need to:

• Study a course approved for SIWES by the NUC, NBTE or NCCE
• Complete the full duration of your training (four or six months, depending on your school)
• Have your logbook filled in and signed. How to fill your SIWES logbook
• Submit ITF Form 8. SIWES ITF Form 8 guide
• Submit the Student Commencement Attachment Form (SCAF) or the SPE-1 form your school uses
• Give bank details that exactly match your name on your school records

Step by step: how to claim

1. Collect and complete your forms early. Do not wait until the end of your training.
2. Fill your logbook every week and get your supervisor's signature. SIWES logbook mistakes
3. Check your bank details and make sure the name matches your school records exactly.
4. Hand everything to your SIWES coordinator as soon as training ends, and keep copies.
5. Follow up with your coordinator every few weeks. Do not assume the file has been sent.

Why ITF payments are delayed or rejected

The common reasons are the ones in your control:

• The logbook is incomplete, unsigned or filled in carelessly
• Forms were filled in wrongly or are missing
• The bank account name does not match your name on school records
• Your school was late sending the list to the ITF
• The ITF has not released funds for that batch

If your ITF payment is late

1. Ask your SIWES coordinator whether your file was submitted, and when.
2. Check that your bank details on the file are correct.
3. Ask whether the school's records show your forms as complete.
4. If your coordinator confirms submission and nothing has come, ask about contacting your nearest ITF area office.

Be polite and keep proof of what you submitted. Most problems are solved by the coordinator.

Should you take an unpaid placement?

Often, yes. Some students take an unpaid placement in a company that gives better experience, and that can matter more than a small allowance. Whatever you are paid:

• Treat the training like a real job and be punctual
• Fill your logbook weekly and get it signed
• Build contacts. Many students are offered work or a reference after SIWES

Looking for a placement that pays? Start with our lists of companies that accept SIWES students.

Companies that accept SIWES students in Lagos

Companies that accept SIWES students in Abuja

Companies that accept SIWES students in Port Harcourt

You can also use SIWES Finder to search by state and course.

👉 SIWES Finder

Get your SIWES paperwork done faster

Your logbook and final report are what the ITF and your school look for. Our free tools help you finish both:

• SIWES Logbook Generator: weekly entries in minutes. https://logbook.monoed.africa
• SIWES Report Generator: a formatted report in the 4- or 5-chapter format your school uses. Preview Chapters One and Two free. https://report.monoed.africa

FAQs

How much does SIWES pay students?

The ITF allowance is about ₦15,000 for a six-month placement, paid after training ends. Some companies also pay their own allowance, and large private companies usually pay the most.

Is the ITF allowance paid during SIWES?

No. It is paid after your training ends and your school has submitted your documents. There is no fixed date.

Why has my ITF payment not come?

The usual causes are incomplete forms, an unsigned or unfinished logbook, a bank name that does not match school records, or a delay in your school submitting the list. Ask your SIWES coordinator for the status of your file.

Do all companies pay SIWES students?

No. Payment is the company's choice. Large private companies are more likely to pay, while most government offices do not.

How many months does SIWES take?

It depends on your school and course, usually between four and six months.

👉 How long does SIWES last

Does SIWES add to CGPA?

In many schools SIWES is graded as a course and carries credit units, but how it counts differs between institutions. Check your school's SIWES handbook.

👉 How SIWES is graded

Which companies accept SIWES students?

Many companies in oil and gas, telecoms, banking, engineering, media and healthcare take SIWES students. See our state-by-state lists.

👉 Companies that accept SIWES students

Can I do SIWES in a company that does not pay?

Yes. Many students do, because the experience and contacts can be worth more than a small allowance. Ask about allowances before you accept the placement.