In Nigeria, the oil and gas industry offers some of the best-paid internships and graduate trainee programs for students and fresh graduates. Getting oil and gas internships without a godfather is possible, and the cold email method is how many proactive Nigerians are quietly winning slots that never get posted on job boards. This post shows you exactly how to do it.
Why Oil and Gas Internships Are Worth Fighting For
You might think the industry only hires people with family connections. That is not the full truth. Major companies like Shell, Chevron, and Dangote Refinery run structured internship and graduate trainee programs every year. Smaller indigenous firms like Waltersmith Petroman Oil and Aradel Oil also offer paid internships with monthly stipends.
The problem is that competition is fierce. Hundreds apply for every slot. But here is what most people miss: many internships are never publicly advertised. Companies often fill positions through direct referrals or spontaneous applications that land on the right desk at the right time. That is where the cold email method changes your odds.
Why Your Uncle’s Connection Is Not the Only Way In
You do not need a godfather to get a quality internship. You need a strategy. Cold emailing allows you to reach decision-makers directly, bypassing the crowded online application portals where most CVs disappear without being read.
A cold email is a message you send to a company that is not actively hiring. You are creating an opportunity where none existed. In the oil and gas sector, where many roles are filled internally before being listed, this approach gives you a real shot.
The Cold Email Method: A Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Oil and Gas Internships
This method works for both SIWES placements for undergraduates and graduate internships for recent graduates.
Step 1: Find the Right Companies and People
Do not waste time on the big five only. Spread your net wide. List both major international companies and smaller local operators.
Here is a starter list based on recent internship openings:
- Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo)
- Chevron Nigeria
- ExxonMobil
- TotalEnergies
- Dangote Refinery
- Renaissance Africa Energy Ltd
- Mykos Oil and Gas Limited
- Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited
- Aradel Oil
- Seplat Energy
Once you have your company list, find the right contact person. Use LinkedIn to search for roles like HR Manager, Recruitment Lead, or Training Coordinator. Many oil and gas professionals in Nigeria list their emails on their profiles or company websites.
Step 2: Personalize Every Email
Generic emails get deleted. You need to show that you know something specific about the company. Mention a recent project they completed. Reference a news article about their expansion. This proves you are not copy-pasting the same message to fifty companies.
Your subject line must be clear and professional. A good subject line looks like this:
Petroleum Engineering Student Seeking SIWES Placement – 300 Level UNIBEN
This tells the reader who you are, what you want, and why you are qualified in under ten words.
Step 3: Write a Short Value-Focused Email
Keep your email brief. Busy managers will not read more than five to seven sentences.
Open by stating who you are and why you are writing. Then quickly explain what you can do for them, not just what you want. End with a clear, easy request like a fifteen-minute phone call or a quick meeting.
Step 4: Follow Up Without Being Annoying
Most people give up after one email. That is a mistake. Decision-makers are overwhelmed. Your first email might get lost or forgotten.
Send a follow-up after five to seven days. Keep it polite and short. Just say you are checking in to see if they had time to review your earlier message. A second follow-up one week later is acceptable. Stop after three attempts.
Step 5: Track Everything
Keep a simple record of every company you contacted, the person you emailed, the date you sent it, and whether you received a reply. This helps you stay organized and prevents you from accidentally emailing the same person twice.
Actionable Cold Email Template for Oil and Gas Internships
Copy this template and fill in your details. The more specific you are, the better your response rate.
Subject Line: [Your Degree] Student Seeking [SIWES or Graduate Internship] – [Your University/Year]
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
My name is [Your Full Name]. I am a [Year Level] [Degree] student at [Your University]. I am writing to inquire about any upcoming internship or SIWES placement opportunities within your operations team.
I have been following [Company Name]’s work in [specific project or area] and I am particularly interested in how your team handles [specific technical area related to your studies]. During my coursework, I have completed projects in [relevant skill 1] and [relevant skill 2]. I am eager to apply these skills while learning from your experienced professionals.
Would you be open to a fifteen-minute phone call next week to discuss potential opportunities?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Link to your LinkedIn profile]
Checklist: Seven Actions to Take Before You Send a Single Email
This checklist will save you weeks of wasted effort. Complete every item before you start emailing.
- Clean up your LinkedIn profile. Recruiters will check it. Make sure your photo is professional and your education section is complete.
- Prepare a one-page CV. No fancy designs. Keep it simple and focused on your degree, relevant coursework, and any projects or volunteer work.
- Have your SIWES letter ready if you are an undergraduate. Some companies will ask for it immediately.
- Research at least twenty oil and gas companies. Include majors, indigenous players, and service companies.
- Find the correct contact person for each company. HR is good. Department managers are often better.
- Write a unique first sentence for each email. Mention something specific about that company.
- Set a target of sending five to ten emails per week. Consistency beats luck.
A Real-World Example: How One Nigerian Student Got His Internship Without Any Connection
I came across the story of a Nigerian engineering student who faced the same wall of silence that frustrates so many. He applied to Seplat, Shell, Chevron, Baker Hughes, Kenyon International, and Egbin Power. Every single application was ignored or rejected.
Time was running out. He had less than two weeks to find a placement. Instead of giving up, he changed his approach. He stopped relying on online applications and started calling companies directly. He researched smaller firms on LinkedIn, visited their websites, and collected phone numbers.
Most calls failed. Many companies said no. But on his final call to a company called Sellafield Energy, the person on the other end simply said yes. That one yes came from persistence, not from a godfather. It proves that oil and gas internships are not locked behind connections. They are locked behind action.
The Honest Limitation of This Method
Cold emailing is not magic. You will send many emails that never get answered. You might send fifty emails and hear back from only two or three companies. That is normal.
The cold email method works best when you combine it with other strategies. Apply to formal openings on company career portals. Use your school’s SIWES office. Ask lecturers who have industry contacts for introductions. Do not put all your eggs in one basket.
Also be aware that some smaller companies may not have structured internship programs. You might need to be flexible about unpaid roles if the experience is valuable enough.
Download the LinkedIn App to Find Decision-Makers
LinkedIn is your best tool for finding the right people to email. Download the official LinkedIn app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to search for oil and gas professionals in Nigeria, view their profiles, and identify who handles recruitment in their organizations.
Your Next Step Is Simple
Stop waiting for a connection that may never come. Start emailing today. Use the template above. Follow the checklist. Track your progress.
Many Nigerians have already used cold outreach to land oil and gas internships that were never advertised. You can be next.
Summary: You do not need a godfather to get an oil and gas internship in Nigeria. The cold email method puts you in control by allowing you to create your own opportunities through targeted, persistent outreach to the right decision-makers.
