Tripoint Travels, a Nigerian travel company, has launched an innovative internship program aimed at addressing the pervasive challenge of youth unemployment in the country. Recognizing the disconnect between academic qualifications and practical workplace skills, the Tripoint Academy Internship Programme is designed to equip young graduates with the necessary tools and experience to thrive in a competitive job market. The six-month program goes beyond traditional internship models, focusing on developing “intrapreneur-employees”—individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking into the workplace. This approach not only benefits the interns but also positions participating companies for growth and scalability by cultivating a workforce capable of driving progress and adapting to evolving industry demands.
The inaugural cohort of the Tripoint Academy Internship Programme recently graduated, demonstrating the initiative’s potential for positive impact. Out of the seven interns who completed the program, three have already secured full-time positions with Tripoint Travels itself, while others are being considered by partner companies. This immediate success underscores the program’s effectiveness in bridging the skills gap and connecting talented young individuals with meaningful employment opportunities. It also validates the program’s core philosophy: that investing in practical skills development and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit can significantly enhance employability and contribute to a more dynamic workforce.
Shuhda Muhammed, Managing Director of Tripoint Travels and founder of Tripoint Academy, emphasized the program’s strategic importance in tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. She highlighted the pressing need for “intrapreneurs” within organizations to drive growth and innovation, suggesting that the current education system often falls short in preparing graduates for the practical demands of the workplace. Muhammed views the Tripoint Academy Internship Programme not merely as a training exercise but as a potential catalyst for broader change, a replicable model that other companies can adopt to address the nationwide skills gap and empower a new generation of job-ready professionals.
The program’s design focuses on cultivating a blend of practical business skills and personal development, equipping interns with both the technical expertise and the soft skills necessary to excel in a professional environment. This holistic approach aims to create well-rounded individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to their chosen fields. Furthermore, the program’s focus on intrapreneurship encourages a proactive and innovative mindset, preparing interns to not only fulfill their job responsibilities but also to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
External validation of the program’s effectiveness comes from Dr. Olawale Anifowose, Managing Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, who praised Tripoint Travels for tackling the critical issue of talent management. He recognized the program’s potential to serve as a model for other organizations seeking to identify and nurture talent, emphasizing the importance of equipping young people with the practical skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern workplace. This external endorsement further strengthens the case for wider adoption of similar initiatives, highlighting the potential for a collective effort to address the systemic challenges of youth unemployment and skills shortages.
The impact of the program on the interns themselves is perhaps the most compelling evidence of its success. Taiwo Fapohunda, a graduate of the program, described the experience as transformative, crediting the program with enhancing his skills, boosting his confidence, and providing him with a renewed sense of direction for his career. His testimony illustrates the profound impact that targeted skills development and mentorship can have on young professionals, empowering them to not only secure employment but also to contribute meaningfully to their respective industries and to society as a whole. The success stories emerging from the program underscore its potential to create a ripple effect, inspiring other young Nigerians and motivating organizations to invest in similar initiatives to unlock the untapped potential of the nation’s youth.
