The Directorate of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, in partnership with Nestle Nigeria Plc, has organised a workshop for students of the University to sensitise them on the challenges and opportunities that lie beyond the walls of academics. During the sensitisation exercise that took place on Thursday, 17th April, 2025 at the OGD Hall, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, the OOU students were exposed to the essential skills, knowledge and attitudes required to excel in their chosen professions.
The workshop with the theme, “Transition from School to Work Life: A Winning Mindset,” focused on key areas crucial for success in the world of work, including industry expectations, professionalism and work ethics, communication and teamwork skills, adaptability and problem-solving, as well as career development and networking.
In his welcome remarks, the SIWES Director in the University, Prof. Mustapha Usman, said the workshop was aimed at improving the students’ preparedness for job opportunities and boosting their confidence levels. According to him, the initiative was designed to ensure a smoother transition for students from academic life to the professional world.
“This workshop marks yet another significant milestone in our collective commitment to prepare our students not just for academic but holistically for the challenges and opportunities that lie beyond the walls of academics,” he disclosed.
“As you all know, the transition from school to workforce is one of the most critical phases in young person’s life. It is a time filled with anticipation, excitement and some uncertainty. This is why the theme of today’s workshop is both timely and relevant” Prof. Usman further stated.
The SIWES Director, who underscored the significance of practical experience and professional development in today’s competitive labour market, stressed the need for students to develop a winning mindset towards achieving success in the work environment.
“Developing a winning mindset – one that is resilient, proactive, adaptable and innovative – is a powerful tool for navigating the ever evolving world of work. Our aim today is to provide insights, tools and real-life experiences that will help you appreciate the next chapter of your journey with confidence and clarity,” Prof. Usman said.
While making his presentation as one of the invited resource persons, the Country Human Resources Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Shakiru Lawal, told the participating students that they must be able to relate with people if they would survive in the world of work.
He highlighted five factors of learning agility namely mental agility, people agility, change agility, results agility and self-awareness which, according to him, are vital for prospective employees to cope and succeed in the contemporary labour market.
For them to be highly effective at the workplace, Lawal further admonished the students to be focused, resilient, self-motivated, optimistic, proactive, develop emotional intelligence as well as embrace self-improvement.
“Don’t take anything for granted while you are in the University. If you are part of the executive of your department, you are actually developing social skills because it would enable you to excel in the future. One of the ways to develop these skills that I have mentioned is for you to seek for opportunity to have industrial work experience or what we call volunteering programmes. It is not everything that is money; volunteer to work for a world-class organisation and that knowledge will give you a better result in the future,” he explained.
Also, the Nestle Nutrition Manager, Dr Yvonne Olaloku, and the company’s Rural Development Manager, Mr. Alli Rasaq, who were equally resource persons at the workshop, enjoined the students to take their academic programmes seriously and position themselves better for the demands of their chosen careers.
