What is the Difference Between SIWES and IT in Nigeria?

If you’re a Nigerian student, you’ve probably heard both terms: SIWES and IT. Sometimes they’re used like they mean the same thing. But technically, there’s a difference.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

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What is SIWES?

SIWES stands for Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme.

It’s a national program created by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
It’s mandatory for certain courses like engineering, sciences, agriculture, and education.
The goal is to help students apply classroom knowledge in real workplace situations.
Duration:
- Universities: Engineering students usually do 3 months (12 weeks) at 300 level and 6 months (24 weeks) at 400 level, while most other fields (e.g., Computer Science, Agriculture, Sciences) do a straight 6 months (24 weeks).
- Polytechnics/Colleges of Education: 4 months (16 weeks)

Think of SIWES as the official program that ensures you get hands-on industry training before graduation.

What is IT?

IT simply means Industrial Training.

It refers to the actual placement where you work in a company or organization.
IT is the practical experience you gain, whether or not it falls under SIWES.
Some students (e.g., in non-SIWES courses) may still do IT, but it won’t be under the official SIWES program.

So while SIWES is the scheme, IT is the training itself.

Key Differences Between SIWES and IT

Feature	SIWES	IT
Meaning	A national program coordinated by ITF	The actual industry placement/training
Scope	Mandatory for certain courses (engineering, sciences, etc.)	Any student can do IT, even outside SIWES
Duration	Universities: 6 months (24 weeks) → Engineering may do 3 months at 300L + 6 months at 400L Polytechnics/Colleges: 4 months (16 weeks)	Flexible — depends on school/company
Documentation	Requires logbook, supervision, and ITF certification	May or may not involve official logbooks/certification

👉 In short: All SIWES involves IT, but not all IT is SIWES.

Why Does This Matter for Students?

If your course is SIWES-approved, you must follow ITF guidelines, submit a logbook, and get your school supervisor’s approval.
If your course is not part of SIWES, your “IT” may just be organized by your department without ITF involvement.

Either way, you’ll need to show proof of what you did during training — and that’s where many students struggle.

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Wrap Up

SIWES = the official national program for industrial training.
IT = the practical training you undergo in a company.
If your course falls under SIWES, you must complete it with proper documentation.

And if you want to avoid the stress of writing weekly reports, the SIWES Logbook Generator will save you hours of work.