Deloitte holds mentorship programme for students in Nigeria

Deloitte is training youngsters in Nigeria to instill the Big Four accounting and advisory firm’s values, business processes and company culture. The firm has held the fourth edition of its Young Impact Makers Programme, where it provides training mentorship to secondary school students.

Students are given an insight into the internal operations at Deloitte, exposing them to the environment within one of the largest professional services firms in the world. 16 students were shortlisted to participate in the programme this year, and they were treated to a range of learning activities.

These include e-learning programmes, mentorships, as well as training in hands on management skills. The firm also called in Head of Business Development at Siemens in Nigeria Oladayo Orolu to address the students on how to go about building their professional career. Orolu was formerly an Audit Assistant at Deloitte, and also has experience with Big Four rival PwC.

Students were exposed to an exceptionally high standard of work environment, given that Deloitte has recently been named the best company to work for in Nigeria. The firm’s focus on skill-development amongst the youth is particularly relevant in the current African context.

Nigeria, and more broadly the region of Africa, are collectively home to the youngest population in the world, placing the region in a strong position vis-à-vis the global economy. The continent is set to have a substantial working-age population in the near future, provided that the talent is nurtured sufficiently.

Many are focused on ensuring that access to education is spread far and wide, while others are working to ensure that the skills being developed amongst the youth are relevant for the future. Allowing students to witness the internal working of Deloitte – which is involved in driving a number of Nigerian businesses into a modern paradigm – is a key way to instill the right priorities in the future workforce.

Commenting on the programme, Talent Partner at Deloitte Hassan Lawal said, “This was the driving force behind the intensive coaching and mentoring of the participants during the two-week programme. We believe that creating the platform for the students to gain experience and exposure in a world-class corporate environment will help them gain the clarity they need to be successful.”