How to Write a CV for an Internship in Nigeria (With Samples)

In the vibrant, ambitious, and highly competitive landscape of Nigeria, an internship is not just a line on a CV; it's a launchpad. It’s your first real taste of the professional world, whether it's a mandatory six-month SIWES (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme) placement for an engineering student in Port Harcourt, a summer internship at a top Lagos law firm, or a tech internship in the bustling ecosystem of Yaba. Securing a good internship can define the trajectory of your entire career.

But there's a huge hurdle that every student faces: the “Catch-22” of experience. How do you write a CV for an internship that requires experience, when the very purpose of the internship is to get that experience in the first place?

This is where most students and fresh graduates stumble. They either submit a sparse, empty-looking CV or they fill it with irrelevant information that fails to impress recruiters.

This is not just another article with generic tips. This is the definitive master guide designed from the ground up for the Nigerian student and graduate. We will provide a step-by-step strategic framework to help you unearth your hidden experiences, showcase your vast potential, and craft a powerful, interview-winning CV that stands out to Nigerian employers. We will cover every section in detail, complete with full, real-world samples for different fields.

The Critical Mindset Shift

You Have More “Experience” Than You Think

Before you type a single word, you must make a fundamental mindset shift. Stop thinking about what you haven't done. Start focusing on everything you have done. For a student, “experience” is not limited to a 9-to-5 job.

Your “experience” includes:

• Your Academic Coursework: The specialized knowledge you've gained over 2-3 years in your field.
• Academic Projects: Your final year project, term papers, case study analyses, and group assignments are all proof of your research, analytical, and execution skills.
• Industrial Training (IT/SIWES): Even a short 3-month placement is invaluable practical experience.
• Volunteer Work: Volunteering for a church, mosque, NGO, or community event demonstrates work ethic, teamwork, and commitment.
• Campus Leadership & Extracurricular Activities: Were you the financial secretary of your departmental association? A member of the press club? Did you help organize an event? This is leadership, project management, and communication experience.
• Personal Projects: Did you build a simple website? Start a blog? Manage a social media page for a small business? This is real-world skill application.
• Skills Gained from Hobbies: Do you write, code, or design for fun? These are valuable technical and creative skills.

An internship CV is not about showcasing a long work history. It's about showcasing your potential. Your job is to connect the dots for the recruiter, showing them how the skills you've developed in these areas make you a capable, intelligent, and highly motivated candidate who is ready to learn and contribute.

The Foundation

Choosing the Right CV Format for an Internship

For an internship application in Nigeria, simplicity, clarity, and professionalism are key. There is one format that recruiters know and trust.

• The Format: Reverse-Chronological. This is the standard format in Nigeria. However, for a student or fresh graduate, you will make one crucial modification: your Education section will come BEFORE your Experience section. Your academic qualification is currently your strongest asset, so it should be one of the first things a recruiter sees.
• The Length: Strictly one (1) A4 page. There are no exceptions to this rule for an internship CV. Recruiters expect a concise summary of your potential. Going onto a second page signals that you are unable to prioritize information.
• The File Type: Always save and send your CV as a PDF. It locks the formatting, looks professional, and is universally accessible. Name the file professionally (e.g., Adekunle_Ciroma_Internship_CV.pdf), not My CV.pdf.

The Anatomy of a Winning Internship CV

A Section-by-Section Breakdown

This is the step-by-step process of building your powerful, one-page CV.

1. Contact Information

This must be at the very top of the page. It should be clean, professional, and error-free.

• Full Name: Make this the largest font on the page (e.g., 16-18pt).
• Phone Number: Use the Nigerian format (+234 80X XXX XXXX). Ensure it's a reliable number that you always have with you.
• Professional Email Address: This is a non-negotiable. An email like hotboy2k25@yahoo.com is an instant red flag. Create a new one if you have to. The standard is firstname.lastname@email.com or f.lastname@email.com.
• Location: Your City and State are sufficient (e.g., Ikeja, Lagos). You do not need your full street address.
• LinkedIn Profile URL (Highly Recommended): In 2025, a LinkedIn profile is your digital CV. Create one, fill it out professionally, and include the link.

2. Career Objective

For an intern, a Career Objective is more effective than a Professional Summary. It's a short, sharp, 2-3 line statement that declares your immediate career goal. It must be tailored for every application.

The Formula: A [Adjective, e.g., Highly motivated, Detail-oriented] [Your Level, e.g., 300-level] student of [Your Course] at [Your University] with a strong foundation in [Key Knowledge Area 1] and [Key Knowledge Area 2]. Seeking a challenging internship position at [Company Name] to apply my theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills in [Target Skill, e.g., financial analysis, software development], and contribute to the team's success.

Example:

A highly motivated and detail-oriented 400-level Mechanical Engineering student at Obafemi Awolowo University with a strong foundation in Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics. Seeking a challenging SIWES internship position at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to apply my theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills in site management and quality control, and contribute to the successful execution of your engineering projects.

3. Education

This is your most important section. Make it detailed and impressive.

• List your most recent education first (i.e., your university).
• Include the name of the institution, its location, your degree, and your expected graduation date.
• Mention your Grade: If you have a strong CGPA (e.g., a First Class or a Second Class Upper – 2:1), you should absolutely include it. If it's lower, you can omit it.
• List Relevant Coursework: This is a game-changer. List 4-5 modules you have completed that are directly relevant to the internship. This proves you have the foundational knowledge.
• Mention Your Final Year Project (FYP): If you have started it, include the title and a one-line description of its objective. This is a major project management credential.

Example:

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State | In View Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Mechanical Engineering | Expected Graduation: Nov 2026

• CGPA: 4.52 / 5.0 (First Class Honours)
• Relevant Coursework: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Design & Drawing, Workshop Practice, Mechanics of Machines
• Final Year Project: Design and Fabrication of a Solar-Powered Water Pumping System for Small-Scale Irrigation

4. Experience (SIWES, IT, Volunteering, Part-Time Roles)

Even if it's limited, frame it professionally. Use action verbs and quantify where possible.

• Title of Role, Company/Organization, Location, Dates
• Use 2-3 bullet points to describe what you did and achieved.

Example (for an engineering student's SIWES):

SIWES Intern | Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ibadan | Jun 2024 – Aug 2024

• Assisted the maintenance team in conducting daily inspections and preventative maintenance on bottling line machinery.
• Documented and reported equipment performance data, contributing to a 5% reduction in minor downtimes.
• Collaborated with senior engineers to troubleshoot and resolve three critical mechanical faults, restoring production ahead of schedule.

5. The Skills Section: Your Keyword Arsenal

This section is vital for both human recruiters and ATS software. Categorize your skills.

• Hard Skills (Technical Skills):
  • Software: Microsoft Office Suite (specify level, e.g., Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MATLAB, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Canva, SPSS.
  • Technical Abilities: Data Analysis, Research, Technical Writing, Financial Modeling (Basic).
• Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills):
  • Communication (Written & Verbal), Teamwork & Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Time Management, Leadership.
• Languages:
  • English (Professional Proficiency), Yoruba (Native), French (Basic).

6. The Projects Section (Your Secret Weapon)

If you have very little formal experience, this section is your chance to shine.

• List 1-2 significant academic or personal projects.
• Give the project a title, mention the date, and use a bullet point to describe what you did and the skills you used.

Example (for a Computer Science student):

PROJECTS Personal E-Commerce Website | 2025

• Developed a fully functional front-end for a mock e-commerce website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, featuring a product gallery, shopping cart, and checkout page. Hosted on GitHub.

7. Optional (But Highly Recommended) Sections

• Awards & Honours: Dean's List, scholarships, competition wins.
• Leadership & Extracurricular Activities: Mention any executive roles in departmental, religious, or social clubs.
• Certifications & Licenses: Any relevant online courses from Coursera, Udemy, etc., or professional certifications.

Full CV Samples for Nigerian Internship Seekers

Sample 1: CV for an Engineering Internship (SIWES)

CHUKWUEBUKA ADEBAYO +234 801 234 5678 | c.adebayo@email.com | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | https://www.google.com/search?q=linkedin.com/in/chukwuebuka-adebayo

CAREER OBJECTIVE A dedicated and analytical 400-level Petroleum Engineering student at the University of Port Harcourt with a strong academic foundation in Reservoir Engineering and Drilling Operations. Seeking a 6-month SIWES internship position at Shell Nigeria to apply my technical knowledge, develop hands-on skills in a world-class environment, and contribute to your operational excellence.

EDUCATION University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State | In View Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Petroleum Engineering | Expected Graduation: Dec 2026

• CGPA: 4.61 / 5.0 (First Class Honours)
• Relevant Coursework: Reservoir Engineering, Drilling Technology, Petrophysics, Production Engineering, Thermodynamics

EXPERIENCE Industrial Trainee | NDPR, Ogbele | Jun 2024 – Aug 2024

• Assisted field operators with daily wellhead monitoring and data recording.
• Analyzed production data using Excel to create preliminary performance charts for senior engineers.
• Actively participated in weekly Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) meetings and site inspections.

SKILLS

• Software: Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel), MATLAB, PROSPER (Academic Knowledge)
• Technical Skills: Data Analysis, Technical Report Writing, Reservoir Simulation (Basic)
• Soft Skills: Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Adaptability, Strong Work Ethic
• Languages: English (Professional Proficiency), Igbo (Native)

AWARDS & HONOURS

• NNPC/Chevron JV National University Scholarship Award Recipient | 2023 – Present
• Dean's Honour List | 2022, 2023

Sample 2: CV for a Finance/Banking Internship

FATIMA BALOGUN +234 809 876 5432 | fatima.balogun@email.com | Victoria Island, Lagos | https://www.google.com/search?q=linkedin.com/in/fatima-balogun

CAREER OBJECTIVE A meticulous and results-oriented 300-level Economics student at the University of Lagos with a keen interest in financial markets and investment analysis. Seeking a Summer Internship position at Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) to leverage my strong quantitative skills, learn from industry experts, and contribute to the success of your investment banking division.

EDUCATION University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos | In View Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Economics | Expected Graduation: Jul 2027

• CGPA: 4.45 / 5.0 (Second Class Upper)
• Relevant Coursework: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Corporate Finance, Statistics

PROJECTS Analysis of Inflationary Trends on the NGX | ECO 302 Term Paper | 2025

• Conducted a statistical analysis using SPSS to examine the correlation between Nigeria's inflation rates and the performance of the NGX All-Share Index from 2020-2024.
• Presented findings to a panel of lecturers, arguing for a sector-specific investment approach during high-inflation periods.

SKILLS

• Analytical Skills: Quantitative Analysis, Financial Research, Statistical Analysis (SPSS)
• Software: Advanced Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables), PowerPoint, Word
• Soft Skills: Strong Analytical & Critical Thinking, Communication, Attention to Detail
• Languages: English (Professional Proficiency), Yoruba (Native)

LEADERSHIP & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Financial Secretary, Nigerian Economics Students' Association (NESA), Unilag Chapter | 2024 – Present

• Manage the association's budget, prepare financial statements, and present reports at monthly executive meetings.

Final Polish

Common Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

• Typos and Grammatical Errors: This is the #1 killer of internship applications. In Nigeria, it is seen as a sign of carelessness. Proofread your CV three times. Use tools like Grammarly. Ask a friend to read it.
• Exceeding One Page: It shows you can't be concise. Be ruthless and cut anything that isn't essential.
• Using a Generic, Non-Tailored CV: Sending the same CV for every application is lazy. You must tailor your Career Objective and skills for each specific role.
• Lying or Exaggerating: Do not claim skills you don't have. You will be tested during the interview. Honesty is paramount.

Your CV is a Showcase of Your Potential

Your internship CV is not an admission of what you lack, but a powerful declaration of what you have to offer: intelligence, drive, a solid academic foundation, and a tremendous capacity to learn and grow.

By shifting your mindset, structuring your CV strategically, and meticulously highlighting your academic and extracurricular achievements, you can create a compelling document that captures the attention of Nigerian recruiters. Your journey to a successful career starts now, with a single, powerful page.