When Balogun Miracle Samuel, a student of University of the Ilorin, Kwara State where he studied Agricultural and Sustainable Engineering, and Oluwabusuyi Rebecca Folakemi, who studied Agriculture at Kwara State University, applied for the Cohort 4 of the Origin Eagle Internship Programme about a year ago, they had little idea that the journey would lead them to full employment with Origin Tech Group Nigeria.
The internship programme, designed to groom, mentor, and empower young professionals in the agribusiness sector, culminated in a graduation ceremony where some of the interns were absorbed into the organisation’s workforce.
For Oluwabusuyi, the year-long programme was more than just training; it was a transformative experience.
“The experience was very valuable and hands on,” she said. “It taught us accountability, being resourceful, speed, and integrity.”
Working in a field often dominated by men could have posed a challenge, but Oluwabusuyi said support from her colleagues and supervisors made the journey smoother.
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“Being a woman in a male-dominated field can be tough,” she admitted. “But with determination and the support of the people around me, my supervisors, my line manager, and even my team, I didn’t really have issues during the internship.”
Miracle Balogun shared a similar sentiment about the programme’s impact on his professional growth. Reflecting on the one-year training, he described it as both challenging and rewarding.
“The experience has been top notch and truly great because it exposed us to real life engineering and problem-solving skills,” he said.
Balogun explained that when he and his colleagues applied for the internship, they were uncertain about what the outcome would be.
“When we applied for the programme, we were not sure what the outcome would be. Fortunately for us, we performed well and stood out. Today, we have been offered employment, and I feel very happy and grateful. I believe this opportunity will help me grow and achieve greater heights within the company,” he added.
According to him, the internship provided more than technical knowledge. It also instilled critical workplace values that will shape their careers.
“The programme has given us valuable technical knowledge, practical experience, and professional skills that have prepared us for real world engineering challenges,” Balogun said. “Beyond the technical training, we gained discipline, teamwork, communication skills, responsibility, and the importance of striving for excellence in everything we do.”
He noted that the challenges faced during the programme strengthened the interns and prepared them for the future.
“The challenges we faced helped us grow stronger, more confident, and better prepared for the future,” he said.
Balogun also expressed gratitude to the organisers and mentors who guided them throughout the programme.
“On behalf of myself and my fellow interns, I sincerely appreciate the organisers, supervisors, mentors, and the management team who guided us throughout this journey. Your support and patience have made a lasting impact on our professional development and our careers,” he said.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Prince S J Samuel, explained that the internship initiative was created to address major gaps in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.
According to him, the idea emerged in 2012 after the company encountered several challenges within the industry, including a shortage of skilled young professionals.
“One of the biggest challenges was finding resources and young talent. The second was transferring knowledge and skills, and the third was raising future leaders,” he said.
He also pointed out that many young Nigerians shy away from agriculture because it is often perceived as unprofitable and demanding.
“Agriculture has often been portrayed as a sector that is not profitable and has no future,” Samuel said. “But we know that agriculture is wealth. It is the largest sector in the world because food is number one.”
He noted that many agricultural students graduate without adequate practical exposure.
“Some students go through school without ever seeing a tractor. Some never see crops being planted or harvested. Others never see major agricultural equipment throughout their school days,” he said.
To bridge this gap, the company began investing in training programmes and partnerships with universities. In 2012, the group endowed chairs in three universities and provided facilities such as greenhouses, tractors, and funding for agricultural programmes.
“We decided to create a platform where students can come and learn practical agriculture,” Samuel said.
Since then, the initiative has continued to grow, producing new cohorts of trained young professionals.
“We are happy to celebrate the graduation of another team of Eagles,” he said.
The programme will continue expanding, with the next cohort expected to bring about 60 new interns into the training programme for the coming year.
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He emphasised that merit remains the foundation of the programme’s recruitment process.
“Every person here today was selected purely on merit. None of them came through family connections. We advertised, they applied, and they were selected based on their qualifications,” he said.
Encouraging the graduating interns, he urged them to see themselves as agents of change in Nigeria’s development.
“Nigeria is waiting for change, and you are that change,” he said. “Many people expect change without making the impact that creates it.”
For the young graduates, the Origin Eagle Internship Programme has not only provided skills but also opened the door to careers in a sector critical to Nigeria’s future. And for Balogun, Oluwabusuyi, and their colleagues, the journey that began with uncertainty has now become the foundation of their professional lives.
