SIWES for Computer Science and ICT Students in Nigeria (2026 Guide)

Short answer: Computer science and ICT students should do SIWES somewhere that gives them real software, data, networking or security work under a named supervisor who will sign their logbook and ITF forms. Good options are tech companies, bank and telecom IT units, and licensed training institutes. Many schools also accept online placements; confirm with your SIWES coordinator first.

This guide is for students of computer science, information technology, software engineering, computer engineering, data science, cybersecurity and related ICT courses. For the general rules of the scheme, see our complete SIWES guide. For finding a host, see how to find a tech SIWES placement.

What SIWES should give a computer science student

SIWES (the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme) is run with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). For an ICT student, a good placement leaves you with three things:

1. Work you can show. A feature you shipped, a dashboard you built, a network you configured or a security review you helped run.
2. A logbook that describes real work. Weekly entries your supervisor can sign honestly.
3. A reference. Someone senior who can vouch for you after you graduate.

A placement where you spend months typing documents or fixing printers gives you none of these, even if it is easy to get.

Where computer science and ICT students can do SIWES

• Software and fintech companies. The best experience if you can get in, though places are limited and competitive.
• IT units of banks, telecoms, hospitals and government agencies. Good for networking, support, databases and security.
• Digital agencies and startups. Fast exposure to web, mobile and design work.
• Licensed tech training institutes. Structured projects and mentors, and a reliable signature. Tech Faculty NG is licensed by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation through the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), and hosts SIWES students at its centres and online.

Whichever you choose, your school checks that the host is real, registered, relevant to your course and willing to supervise you, so confirm with your department's SIWES coordinator before you resume.

What work to do, by specialisation

What to write in your logbook

Weak entries describe attendance. Strong entries describe work. Compare:

• Weak: "Came to the office. Worked on the computer."
• Strong: "Built the login page for the client portal in React. Connected it to the authentication API and fixed two validation bugs found in review."

Write every week, while you still remember what you did. Our guide to common SIWES logbook mistakes covers the errors that cause trouble at defence.

Documents you will handle

Your school will tell you exactly which forms it uses. ICT students typically deal with:

• An acceptance or placement letter from the host, addressed to your institution.
• The SPE-1 form, which ITF uses for your records and allowance.
• The logbook, signed and stamped by your industry supervisor.
• ITF Form 8, completed by the host at the end of your training.

For how the ITF allowance works, see our SIWES allowance guide.

Doing SIWES online

Many institutions now accept remote or hybrid industrial training for computer science, IT, software engineering and data courses, as long as the host is real, relevant and supervises you properly. Online IT suits students who study far from a suitable host, who already work, or whose host fell through late.

At Tech Faculty NG, the virtual IT placement costs ₦45,000 for the full duration of your training. It includes a placement letter for your school, weekly live sessions with a mentor and real project work. The logbook service costs ₦15,000 and covers courier pickup, review, signing, stamping and return delivery from any Nigerian city.

Doing SIWES on site with Tech Faculty NG

Students can also do IT in person at our centres in Nnewi, Awka, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Aba, Abakaliki and other cities. There are two tracks:

• Learn & Pay: pay a training fee and get structured, mentored project work across our departments.
• Tutor & Earn: for students already skilled enough to teach, who tutor other learners and earn while completing their IT.

See the SIWES page for how to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can computer science students do SIWES online in Nigeria?

Often, yes. Many schools accept remote or hybrid industrial training for computer science and ICT courses if the host is real, relevant and supervises you. Ask your SIWES coordinator before you apply. Tech Faculty NG's virtual IT placement costs ₦45,000.

Is a tech training institute acceptable for SIWES?

Usually, if it is a registered organisation that does relevant work, supervises you and signs your logbook and ITF forms. Your department makes the final decision, so confirm before you resume.

How long is SIWES for computer science students?

Your institution sets the length. For computer science and ICT it commonly runs between four and six months. Check your school's SIWES calendar.

What should a computer science student do during SIWES?

Real technical work you can show afterwards: building software, working with data, configuring networks or helping with security. Log it weekly and ask your supervisor for feedback.

Who signs my logbook if I do SIWES online?

Your assigned supervisor at the host signs it. At Tech Faculty NG, your supervisor signs and our official stamp is applied, and the logbook service returns it to you by courier.

Next step

Talk to your SIWES coordinator, then apply on the SIWES page or the Virtual SIWES page. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.