Bilaad Realty empowers 150 Nigerian youths

Bilaad Realty has intensified its youth empowerment drive with the launch of a 150-slot internship programme for Nigerian students, aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and exposure across key sectors of the economy.

Unveiling the initiative at the 4th Gem Hunt Series in Abuja, Sadiq Suleiman Abdullahi, Coordinating Trustee of the Bilaad Development Trust (BDT), said private sector collaboration is crucial to national growth, insisting that government alone cannot drive Nigeria’s development agenda.

Themed “Reboot Nigeria: Echoes from the Past, Visions of the Future,” the event captured Bilaad’s mission to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice.

“We’ve leveraged our professional network to secure over 150 internship slots from blue-chip companies. We have also signed agreements with universities to identify top-performing students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)”, Abdullahi revealed.

He explained that the initiative targets students during their school breaks, transforming idle holiday periods into productive learning opportunities.

“Rather than sitting at home doing nothing, universities release these students to us, and we place them in industry roles. That way, they are gaining experience and building connections long before graduation,” he said.

The impact, he noted, is transformative. By the time participants complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), many already have the kind of experience employers crave.

“These linkages prepare young Nigerians to compete and succeed across multiple sectors,” Abdullahi said.

Beyond internships, Bilaad Development Trust extends tailored support for different career paths. Budding entrepreneurs receive funding to bring their ideas to life, while aspiring brand strategists are connected to industry veterans through BDT’s vast professional network.

The Gem Hunt Series 4.0 also celebrated emerging talents who are already making a mark in their communities as Ayomide Dada was honoured for excellence in communication and branding, Muhammad Musa emerged the standout in the NYSC category, while Judith James was recognized among secondary school achievers.