Dosunmu Oluwatitofade Johnson, a Nigerian IT student on industrial attachment, found himself out of his SIWES placement after missing just one day of work without prior approval. The student, who goes by @Titodrips on X, shared the news on the platform alongside a photograph of the termination letter he received on the morning he returned to the office.
Student's Reaction to the Sack
"Let it be known today that I am officially the first IT student to get sacked. I missed work for just one day, got back this morning, and the first thing my supervisor did was sack me. This SIWES is one for the history books," he wrote. The post quickly gained traction, drawing reactions from fellow students and workers who sympathised with his plight.
The Termination Letter Details
The letter, dated 6th August 2026 and signed by his supervisor, Engr. Ola, was addressed directly to him by full name. It read in part: "This letter serves as formal notification that your Industrial Training (SIWES) attachment has been terminated with immediate effect. This decision was made due to your absence from work without prior approval or adequate notification on one working day."
The letter also acknowledged his contributions during his time at the organisation before advising him to return any company property and complete clearance procedures. It closed with wishes for success in his future academic and professional endeavours in Nigeria.
SIWES Programme Context
The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme, commonly known as SIWES, is a federal government programme coordinated by the Industrial Training Fund. It places Nigerian undergraduate students in workplaces relevant to their fields of study, giving them hands-on exposure before graduation. For most students, the placement is a straightforward rite of passage. For Titodrips, it ended abruptly over a single day's absence, a turn of events that he clearly did not see coming when he walked into work that morning.
Online Reactions and Similar Cases
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about workplace policies and the treatment of interns in Nigeria. Many X users expressed disbelief at the severity of the punishment, while others shared their own experiences with strict supervisors. In a related report, Legit.ng previously covered a young Nigerian man who refused to lead the opening prayer at his new job, highlighting the challenges fresh employees face in adapting to workplace norms.
