Young Nigerians interested in building careers in technology now have an opportunity to access quality digital education without worrying about the full cost of tuition.

Chess in Slums Africa founder, Tunde Onakoya, has partnered with Jobs59 founder, Sam Otigba, and AltSchool Africa founder, HackSultan, to launch a ₦250 million scholarship programme aimed at supporting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, prospective corps members, and recent graduates.

The initiative is expected to help thousands of young Nigerians develop practical technology skills that employers are actively looking for while also improving their chances of securing internships and full-time jobs after completing their training.

According to the organisers, each successful applicant will receive a scholarship worth ₦160,000, covering most of the cost of an AltSchool Africa diploma programme. Beneficiaries will also have access to career mentorship, internship opportunities, job placement support, and free laptops for selected applicants.

The organisers say the programme is designed to bridge the gap between university education and the practical skills required in today’s technology industry.

Why This Scholarship Was Created

Many Nigerian graduates complete their university education but struggle to secure employment because they lack practical industry experience and digital skills.

The founders believe the NYSC year provides an ideal opportunity for graduates to learn job-ready skills before entering the labour market.

Announcing the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), Jobs59 founder Sam Otigba said the programme is their contribution to solving graduate unemployment by helping young Nigerians acquire skills that can lead directly to employment.

He wrote:

“We’re solving the Olodo uprising pandemic, one NYSC at a time.”

Otigba explained that beyond providing scholarships, the programme will also connect participants with internship opportunities and employers through the Jobs59 recruitment platform.

Scholarship Value

Every successful applicant will receive support worth ₦160,000.

The scholarship includes:

• ₦10,000 to cover the AltSchool Africa application fee.
• ₦150,000 towards tuition.

This significantly reduces the financial burden on participants, allowing them to focus on developing valuable skills instead of worrying about training costs.

The scholarship is part of a much larger ₦250 million fund, making it one of the biggest private technology scholarship initiatives currently available to young Nigerians.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to three categories of applicants:

• Current NYSC corps members.
• Prospective corps members waiting to begin service.
• Recent NYSC graduates.

Applicants are expected to provide their NYSC details during registration.

Courses Available Under the Scholarship

Successful applicants can enrol in any diploma programme offered by AltSchool Africa.

Available options include:

AI-Powered Fullstack Engineering

Students will learn how to build modern web applications using artificial intelligence tools and current software development technologies.

Cybersecurity

This programme focuses on protecting computer systems, networks, and digital information against cyber threats.

Cloud Engineering

Participants will learn how businesses deploy and manage applications using cloud platforms.

Data Analysis

Students will gain practical knowledge of collecting, analysing, and interpreting data for business decision-making.

Technical Product Management

This course teaches learners how technology products are planned, developed, and managed from idea to launch.

Digital Marketing, Automation and Sales

Participants will learn modern digital marketing strategies, customer acquisition techniques, marketing automation, and online sales systems.

Programme Duration

The diploma programmes are expected to run for nine to twelve months.

According to the organisers, participants can begin applying for internship opportunities from the sixth month of their studies, allowing them to gain practical work experience before graduation.

More Than Just a Scholarship

One of the biggest strengths of the programme is that it goes beyond paying tuition fees.

Successful applicants will also receive:

• Career mentorship.
• CV and portfolio development.
• Internship opportunities.
• Job placement support through Jobs59.
• Access to industry professionals.
• Career guidance sessions.

These additional benefits are intended to improve participants’ employability after completing their studies.

Free Laptop Support

Recognising that many young Nigerians do not own suitable computers for online learning, the organisers have introduced a Laptop Scholarship Add-on.

Applicants who need a laptop can apply separately after submitting their scholarship application.

Selected beneficiaries will receive laptops free of charge to support their learning throughout the programme.

What Tunde Onakoya Said

Tunde Onakoya described the initiative as an investment in the future of young Nigerians.

According to him, the programme is not only about teaching technical skills but also about helping participants develop discipline, resilience, and the confidence needed to build successful careers after the NYSC programme.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official NYSC Tech Scholarship portal. ( https://altschoolafrica.com/nysc#scholarship-support )

Step 2: Complete the scholarship application form using your NYSC information.

Step 3: Select your preferred AltSchool Africa diploma programme.

Step 4: Submit your application.

Step 5: If interested in receiving a laptop, complete the separate Laptop Scholarship application after your scholarship application has been submitted.

Applicants who are successful will receive admission guidance and scholarship support from the organisers.

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Why This Opportunity Is Worth Considering

Technology remains one of the fastest-growing industries in Nigeria and around the world. Skills such as software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analysis, and product management are increasingly in demand across startups, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and multinational organisations.

For many graduates, the biggest challenge is gaining access to affordable, high-quality training. This scholarship removes much of that financial barrier while also connecting participants to mentors, internships, and potential employers.

For NYSC members looking to make productive use of their service year, the programme provides an opportunity to gain practical experience, strengthen their CV, and improve their chances of securing well-paying jobs after completing national service.