SIWES Placement for Biochemistry Students in Lagos and Abuja
Biochemistry students looking for SIWES in Lagos or Abuja: labs, institutes and hospitals worth contacting, and how to apply.
Biochemistry students often struggle more with SIWES than engineers do. Good laboratory places are few, and many students want them. The good news is that Lagos and Abuja both have research institutes, regulators and hospitals with real laboratories.
The lists come from the MonoEd SIWES Finder's researched organisations. A listing is a lead and not a promise of a place, and many of these don't advertise SIWES openings, so contact each one and confirm.
Lagos
| Organisation | What it does | Why it fits Biochemistry |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) | Industrial research and manufacturing technology | Technical divisions in food, chemistry and related areas |
| Nestlé Nigeria Plc | Food and beverage manufacturing | Quality, food testing and production laboratories. Nestlé publishes internship and career information on its website, so check it for the current route. |
| Afriglobal Medicare | Medical diagnostics and laboratory services | Clinical chemistry and pathology laboratory work |
Also see the SIWES Finder for Lagos and the Biochemistry listing.
Abuja
| Organisation | What it does | Why it fits Biochemistry |
|---|---|---|
| NAFDAC | Food and drug regulation | Laboratory testing and quality control |
| National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) | Pharmaceutical research and diagnostics | Research laboratories |
| Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) | Standards and quality assurance | Food technology and chemistry laboratories |
| Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) | Scientific research | Biotechnology and advanced research |
| University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) | Teaching hospital | Hospital laboratories |
| National Hospital Abuja | Tertiary hospital | Clinical laboratory services |
Check the SIWES Finder for the FCT.
Nearby options
If you are not set on Lagos or Abuja, look at:
- Ibadan: the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) are research bodies with life science work.
- Ilorin: pharmaceutical and healthcare firms such as Tuyil and KEDI Healthcare. See SIWES placement in Ilorin.
What Biochemistry students usually do in SIWES
Depending on the place, you may:
- Prepare reagents and buffers
- Run basic tests on samples (for example blood chemistry in a clinical lab, or proximate analysis in a food lab)
- Use equipment such as the spectrophotometer, centrifuge, pH meter and balances
- Follow safety rules and record results in laboratory notebooks
- Help with quality control checks in production
Be ready to explain each procedure in your report. See how to fill your SIWES logbook as a Biochemistry student and the Biochemistry SIWES report guide.
How to apply
- Start three to six months early.
- Get your school letter from your SIWES unit.
- Write a short application letter and a one-page CV. See how to write a placement request letter and CV for SIWES.
- Apply to 10 to 15 places, including hospitals and private laboratories, which are easier to reach than large institutes.
- Visit in person where you can, and ask for the training officer or laboratory head.
- Follow up after one or two weeks.
- Collect an acceptance letter and submit it to your SIWES unit.
Things to check before you accept
- Will you actually work in the laboratory, or only observe?
- Is there a supervisor who is a laboratory scientist?
- Are there safety rules and protective equipment?
- What are the hours and transport costs?
- Will you be paid? See do SIWES students get paid?
After you resume
Don't wait until the last week to remember what you did. Keep your logbook daily, and use the MonoEd SIWES Logbook if you want help wording your weekly entries. When you finish, the MonoEd SIWES Report Generator can draft your report from those same notes.
Biochemistry students often go on to laboratory projects. See how to choose a project topic and plan early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can a Biochemistry student do SIWES?
Laboratories, research institutes, regulators, hospitals and food or pharmaceutical companies.
Which Lagos places take Biochemistry students?
FIIRO, Nestlé Nigeria and Afriglobal Medicare are worth contacting. Confirm current intake.
Which Abuja places take them?
NAFDAC, NIPRD, SON, SHESTCO, UATH and the National Hospital. Confirm current intake.
Is it hard to find a Biochemistry placement?
It can be, because laboratory places are limited. Apply early and to many places, including private laboratories and hospitals.
Can I do SIWES in a hospital laboratory?
Yes, if the laboratory agrees. Your tasks may be limited by safety and clinical rules.
What should I put in my report?
The procedures you performed, the equipment you used and what you learned. See the Biochemistry SIWES report guide.
About the Author
Mohammad-Jamiu B. Balogun, GMNSE
AI Security Researcher · Founder, MonoEd Africa
Mohammad-Jamiu is a First-Class Telecommunications Engineer and Best Graduating Student, BUK '24, and an AI security researcher. He founded MonoEd Africa to give Nigerian students AI-powered academic tools — from SIWES logbooks to final year projects. His work has reached over 10,000 students across Nigeria.
