Are you a fresh graduate or recently completed your NYSC, wondering how to break into Nigeria’s competitive job market? You’re not alone; thousands of young professionals are actively searching for the right graduate trainee program and latest graduate trainee job in nigeria to kick-start their careers in 2025. But the real question is: which of these programs are truly worth your time?
In this article, we’re breaking down the Top 10 Graduate Trainee Programs in Nigeria in 2025, carefully selected for young professionals like you who are seeking structured entry-level roles with career growth, mentorship and industry exposure. If you’re aiming for top firms with robust onboarding systems, keep reading, this list was curated just for you.
How We Selected These Top 10 Graduate Trainee Programs
We didn’t just pick big names; our selection is based on the following criteria to ensure you’re applying for programs that will truly add value to your career:
Reputation of the Employer
We considered how well-established the company is, both locally and internationally.
Career Growth & Retention Opportunities
Some companies run graduate trainee programs yearly, but only retain a few. Our list includes firms known for converting trainees to full-time employees.
Salary, Benefits & Training Structure
A good graduate trainee program should offer a fair stipend, health insurance, mentorship and world-class training.
Top 10 Graduate Trainee Programs in Nigeria in 2025
- Access Bank Graduate Trainee Program
- MTN Nigeria Global Graduate Development Program
- KPMG Graduate Trainee Program
- Nestlé Nigeria Graduate Program
- Dangote Group Graduate Trainee Scheme
- UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Program (GMAP)
- Flutter wave Entry-Level Graduate Program
- Shell Nigeria Graduate Program
- PwC Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program
- Andela Learning Community Graduate Fellowship
1. Access Bank Entry-Level Training Program (ELTP)
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Location: Nationwide (Lagos, Abuja, PH, and regional branches)
Program Duration: 6 months
Salary: ₦150,000 – ₦170,000 monthly (during training)
Focus Areas: Retail banking, Operations, IT, Finance, Risk
Program Overview:
Access Bank’s ELTP is one of Nigeria’s most reputable graduate trainee programs, designed for graduates with a passion for banking, innovation, and leadership. It begins with an intensive training school covering corporate finance, customer service, digital banking, and compliance. Upon graduation, successful trainees are deployed across departments where their performance is closely monitored for future promotions.
Who Can Apply:
- Minimum of second-class upper degree
- NYSC completed
- Strong communication and analytical skills
- Tech-savvy graduates are highly preferred
Application Timeline: Opens Q1 and Q3 annually
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; careers.accessbankplc.com
2. MTN Nigeria Global Graduate Development Program
Industry: Telecommunications
Location: Lagos (Head Office), with rotational postings across Nigeria
Program Duration: 12 months
Salary: ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 monthly + bonuses and benefits
Focus Areas: Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Corporate Strategy
Program Overview:
MTN’s Global Graduate Development Program is designed to produce future tech and business leaders within the MTN ecosystem. It combines classroom learning, job shadowing, cross-functional assignments, international exposure (virtual), and mentorship. Candidates are also enrolled in the MTN Academy for leadership and personal development.
Who Can Apply:
- Graduates under age 26
- Second class upper or higher in Engineering, IT, Business Admin, or Social Sciences
- NYSC completion mandatory
- Must be digitally literate and open to travel
Application Timeline: Q1 annually (via MTN Career Portal)
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; careers.mtnonline.com
3. KPMG Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program
Industry: Professional Services (Audit, Tax, Advisory)
Location: Lagos and Abuja
Program Duration: 12 months
Salary: ₦180,000+ plus ACA/ACCA funding and performance bonuses
Focus Areas: Audit, Risk Advisory, Technology Consulting, Tax
Program Overview:
This is a top-tier program for analytical thinkers with interest in consulting, compliance, and financial reporting. Trainees go through world-class accounting, analytics, and project-based learning modules. KPMG also sponsors trainees to take international certifications like ACA, ACCA, or CFA.
Who Can Apply:
- Minimum of Second-Class Upper in any discipline
- Must have completed NYSC
- Strong analytical, research, and presentation skills
- Previous internships are a strong advantage
Application Timeline: March–April 2025
How to Apply:Apply through their official portal using; home.kpmg/ng/en/home/careers.html
4. Nestlé Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program
Industry: FMCG / Food Manufacturing
Location: Lagos, Ogun, and Agbara Plants
Program Duration: 18 months
Salary: ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 + housing and canteen allowances
Focus Areas: Production, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Sales
Program Overview:
This program gives young graduates early exposure to factory processes, nutrition, quality assurance, and commercial operations. Trainees go through Nestlé’s international Learning & Development roadmap, participate in improvement projects, and receive mentorship from senior managers.
Who Can Apply:
- Engineering, Food Tech, Biochemistry, Business Admin, Finance
- Second class upper and above
- Max. 2 years post-NYSC experience
- Excellent team and communication skills required
Application Timeline: Opens Q2 and Q4
How to Apply: nestle-cwa.com/en/jobs
5. Dangote Group Graduate Trainee Scheme
Industry: Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Oil & Gas
Location: Lagos HQ, Obajana, Ibese, Apapa, and other plant sites
Program Duration: 12-18 months
Salary: The dangote graduate trainee salary is ₦130,000 – ₦160,000 + accommodation & logistics
Focus Areas: Engineering, Procurement, HR, Finance, Logistics
Program Overview:
Dangote offers one of the most hands-on industrial trainee programs in Nigeria. Participants are placed in large-scale manufacturing and supply chain settings to learn operational excellence. It’s a fast-paced, rugged environment for those who want real-world experience and a direct route to supervision or management roles.
Who Can Apply:
- Engineering, Sciences, Accounting, Business, or related fields
- NYSC certificate
- Flexible to work in remote or rural areas
- Field readiness and willingness to work in shifts required
Application Timeline: Ongoing
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; careers.dangote-group.com
6. UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Program (GMAP)
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Location: Nigeria-wide (focus on Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt)
Program Duration: 12 months
Salary: ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 monthly with performance incentives
Focus Areas: Retail and Corporate Banking, Digital Channels, Operations, Customer Experience
Program Overview:
UBA’s GMAP is a fast-paced training and deployment scheme aimed at grooming future leaders in the financial sector. It combines digital learning, in-branch training, leadership mentoring, and soft skills development. The bank is known for retaining over 80% of its graduate trainees annually into full-time banking roles.
Who Can Apply:
- University graduates with at least a second class lower
- Completion of NYSC
- Strong interest in finance, digital banking, and customer relationship management
- Under 27 years of age preferred
Application Timeline: January-March and June-August
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; ubagroup.com/about-uba/careers
7. Flutterwave Entry-Level Graduate Program
Industry: Fintech & Digital Payments
Location: Lagos, with remote flexibility
Program Duration: 6-9 months
Salary: ₦200,000 – ₦250,000 monthly + equity options in select cases
Focus Areas: Product Management, Software Engineering, Customer Success, Data Analytics
Program Overview:
Flutterwave’s graduate program provides hands-on experience in a rapidly scaling African tech company. Trainees are onboarded into real projects from day one, working alongside experienced developers, growth marketers, and fintech innovators. The startup’s work culture favors speed, innovation, and agile methodology.
Who Can Apply:
- Recent graduates with backgrounds in Computer Science, Business, Engineering, or Statistics
- Must show proven interest in tech (via bootcamps, GitHub, certifications, etc.)
- Strong digital communication and remote work skills are critical
Application Timeline: Q2 annually
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; flutterwave.com/careers
8. Shell Nigeria Graduate Program
Industry: Oil & Gas, Energy
Location: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri
Program Duration: 2-3 years (extensive rotational program)
Salary: ₦300,000 – ₦350,000 per month + housing, transport & pension
Focus Areas: Engineering, Geosciences, Economics, HSE, Supply Chain
Program Overview:
Shell’s graduate program is one of the most prestigious in Nigeria’s energy sector. It includes structured rotational assignments, access to global training resources, and integration into multidisciplinary teams solving real-world energy challenges. The program is internationally benchmarked and focuses on sustainability and digital transformation in oil & gas.
Who Can Apply:
- Graduates of Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geology, Geophysics, Economics
- Minimum of second class upper
- Must have completed NYSC
- Excellent critical thinking and innovation skills required
Application Timeline: February-April annually
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; shell.com.ng/careers
9. PwC Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program 2025 (Graduate Associate Program)
Industry: Professional Services – Audit, Consulting, Tax
Location: Lagos, Abuja
Program Duration: 12–18 months
Salary: ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 + ACA/ACCA sponsorship
Focus Areas: Audit, Consulting, Digital Transformation, Tax, Risk Assurance
Program Overview:
The PwC Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program 2025 (also known as the Graduate Associate Program) is perfect for graduates who enjoy problem-solving and client-facing roles. It includes technical training, shadowing senior associates, and working on real-time projects. PwC invests heavily in certifications and encourages rotations between different business units to broaden your career path.
Who Can Apply:
- Recent graduates in Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Law, or Engineering
- Minimum 2:1
- Strong interest in data, analytics, and business consulting
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
Application Timeline: January-March and July-August
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; pwc.com/ng/en/careers
10. Andela Learning Community Graduate Fellowship
Industry: Technology / Remote Work / Software Engineering
Location: Remote (Pan-African cohort)
Program Duration: 6 months
Salary: Not fixed; participants receive stipends, certifications, and placement opportunities
Focus Areas: Full-stack development, DevOps, UI/UX, Data Science
Program Overview:
Andela focuses on developing Africa’s next generation of global tech talent. Their graduate fellowship trains coders through structured bootcamps and mentorship. After graduation, fellows are placed with global companies as remote developers. It’s ideal for self-driven graduates who want to bypass traditional 9–5 and build freelance or remote tech careers.
Who Can Apply:
- Self-taught coders or CS graduates with a strong portfolio
- Must complete Andela’s technical assessment
- Great for NYSC members looking to start freelancing or remote work post-service
Application Timeline: Opens twice yearly (Q1 and Q4)
How to Apply: Apply through their official portal using; andela.com
Conclusion
You don’t need to apply for every graduate trainee program out there, focus on the ones that align with your career goals. Whether you’re passionate about finance, tech, consulting, or engineering, there’s a place for you.
Take time to prepare your CV, sharpen your interview skills, and start networking with past or current trainees on LinkedIn.
Still confused about where to start or how to stand out?
Contact our career support team for personalized guidance on CV revamps, mock interviews and application strategy. We’ll help you move from “just applying” to actually getting hired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a graduate trainee and an intern?
A graduate trainee is hired with the expectation of becoming a full-time employee after the program, while interns are typically temporary and not guaranteed employment.
2. Can NYSC members apply for graduate trainee programs?
Yes! In fact, many programs accept applications from current corps members or those who just completed their service year.
3. Are graduate trainee programs paid in Nigeria?
Absolutely. While amounts vary, most programs offer monthly stipends between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000, plus benefits like medicals, housing, and meals.
4. How can I find graduate trainee programs that accept 2:2?
Programs like UBA’s GMAP and Dangote Group’s trainee schemes are more flexible with grade requirements. Always check specific eligibility on the company’s career portal.
5. What is the best time of the year to apply?
Most graduate trainee programs open between January and April, with a second batch between June and August. Set Google Alerts and follow company pages on LinkedIn for updates.
6. What is the PwC Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program 2025?
The PwC Nigeria Graduate Trainee Program 2025, also called the Graduate Associate Program, is an entry-level initiative that equips fresh graduates with skills in audit, consulting, tax, and advisory. It offers structured training, mentorship, and real client projects, making it one of the most competitive graduate trainee opportunities in Nigeria.
