Airtel Africa Foundation Awards Fully Funded Tech Scholarships to First Batch of Nigerian Undergraduates
The Airtel Africa Foundation has awarded fully funded scholarships to the first cohort of Nigerian students under its Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship, providing financial support and mentorship to 70 undergraduates studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses across selected universities.
At a ceremony held at the headquarters of Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, the Chairman of the foundation, Segun Ogunsanya, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, presented the full-ride scholarship awards to 70 outstanding students drawn from universities across Nigeria.
The beneficiaries are undergraduates studying technology-related courses at institutions including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, Tai Solarin University of Education, University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Nigeria.
The students were selected from thousands of applicants through an independent process that lasted nearly six months. Under the fellowship, beneficiaries receive tuition support, laptop computers, living stipends, and other essential academic resources.
The Nigerian fellows also join a wider network of scholars under the Airtel Africa Foundation currently studying in countries including Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and India.
Speaking at the event, Ogunsanya emphasised the importance of investing in education and technology to shape Africa’s future.
According to him, the legacy of institutions should not only be measured by commercial achievements but also by the lives impacted through social investments.
“True legacy is not measured by the awards we win or the volume of SIM cards we sell; it is measured by the lives we save, the people we feed, and the students we support when the line between success and failure is at its thinnest,” he said.
Ogunsanya explained that the fellowship programme is designed to close the gap between talent and opportunity by providing financial support, skills development, and mentorship for young Africans pursuing careers in technology.
He disclosed that each fellow will receive a yearly support package of N500,000 throughout their four- or five-year academic programme, alongside structured academic guidance and career mentorship aimed at preparing them for opportunities in the global technology workforce.
Also addressing the students, Balsingh described youth development as a critical part of nation-building and innovation.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we view youth development as essential nation-building. When young people succeed, innovation accelerates and social stability improves,” he said.
Balsingh added that the initiative reflects the company’s mission of connecting people to opportunities by empowering young talents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in the digital economy.
The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship forms part of the broader commitment by Airtel Africa Foundation and Airtel Nigeria to support technology education, youth development, and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by aligning academic excellence with industry demands.
For more information about Airtel Nigeria, visit: https://www.airtel.com.ng�
More details about the Airtel Africa Foundation are available at: https://www.airtelafricafoundation.org�.
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