I have heard a lot of stories and instances about this IT thing, and I will be sharing some things I personally know. Around late 2024-2025, my cousin went to Lagos to do her internship with one of these firms I wouldn't like to mention; she was there for the duration of her internship without collecting a single Naira. Before then, she had complained to her boss, and that one gaslighted her that she should be grateful for working with them because a lot of her mates were out there looking for where to do their internship. She had no choice, or lemme say her boss made it look like she had no choice.
When we talk about people going to a firm or organization for their internship and they get zero pay, that argument looks reasonable when we discuss it. Because some companies give them free accommodation, some usually give them breakfast and lunch. They get a lot of experience and training, including travel and exposure, and some even get connections from there. Without any argument, I will say that is a big value. But in all sincerity, a lot of people have always failed to argue one thing. Do you know that those interns are also providing a lot of value back? Because when we look at it, some are doing most of the workload of the firm. They get to the office very early, filling the empty gaps. They are organizing a lot of things, from writing to picking up calls, attending to people's needs, and going to different meetings with a lot of other workloads on their desk. The funny thing is that some of these interns even do work that is meant for another person, which is not in their payroll. Then, left to me, if the company is also using their services, then the interns should also get something in return. That is not a complex thing because that is how it should be done. You work for me, and I get something back. It's just a simple, honest exchange.
But in some places in this country, that doesn't work because interns are fresh graduates or those about to finish school. Some departments, like Architecture, and others usually do internships before graduating. While some other professional courses, like nursing or medical-related lines, usually go for internships after they are done. So a lot of companies usually take advantage of the opportunity that because some interns are desperately in need of them, they will rather refuse to pay them because the desperation is so real and the system has even failed us, so a lot of people won't talk.
And another thing some people don't usually see is that class difference. An intern who is from a struggling family will not be able to do that because he has a lot on his neck. While someone from a well-to-do family might not even bother about the pay. So what I will say is that an internship where there is no payment separates people based on financial background and not their character or ability. And that is totally unfair, and it piles up over time because some industries are shutting their ways towards certain people that can give more extra value. So my thought is that interns should be paid , not out of charity. But because there deserve it due to their contributions, time and energy.
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