LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Airtel Africa Foundation has officially inducted its first Nigerian cohort of the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship, awarding 70 students from across the country full-ride scholarships to pursue undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The ceremony, held on Wednesday at Airtel Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos, marks a major milestone in the foundation’s mission to equip underserved but brilliant African talent with the tools to lead the continent’s digital future.
The scholarship recipients were presented with their awards by the Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, and the CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh.
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The 70 fellows were selected through a rigorous, six-month independent process that evaluated thousands of applicants. As “full-ride” beneficiaries, the students will receive complete financial aid covering:
- Full coverage for the duration of their undergraduate studies.
- Brand-new laptop computers for every fellow.
- Monthly stipends to ensure a focus on academic excellence.
- Access to essential textbooks and digital research materials.
The Nigerian cohort comprises students currently enrolled in seven of the nation’s most prestigious public institutions, ensuring a wide geographical and academic spread:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Nigeria (UNN)
In an inspiring address, Dr Segun Ogunsanya emphasised that the foundation’s goal is to ensure Africa is not just a consumer but a creator in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He noted that the scholarship aims to “tilt the balance” in favour of talented individuals who might otherwise be constrained by financial constraints.
“True legacy is not measured by the awards we win or the volume of SIM cards we sell; it is measured by the students we support when the line between success and failure is at its thinnest,” Dr Ogunsanya stated.
He added that the program is designed to ensure that the future of AI and Data Science in Africa is “built by African talent for the African continent.”
The Nigerian fellows now join a growing continental network of Airtel Africa Foundation scholars currently pursuing degrees in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and India.
This regional integration is expected to foster cross-border collaboration among Africa’s future tech entrepreneurs and engineers.
The induction of this cohort reinforces the commitment of telecommunications leaders to human capital development, positioning Nigerian youth at the forefront of global technological innovation.