Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship Awards Scholarships to Nigerian Undergraduate STEM Students

The Airtel Africa Foundation has awarded scholarships to Nigerian university students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as part of its commitment to strengthening digital skills and supporting the development of Africa’s technology ecosystem.

The foundation recently inducted the first Nigerian beneficiaries of its Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship during a ceremony held at Airtel Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos. A total of 70 undergraduate students from universities across the country received full scholarship support under the programme.

The selected scholars were drawn from several leading Nigerian institutions, including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Benin, Tai Solarin University of Education, the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Nigeria.

According to the foundation, the fellows were chosen from thousands of applicants after a rigorous selection process that lasted nearly six months.

The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship is part of a broader financial aid initiative designed to support students pursuing technology-related courses across the continent. The scholarship package provides comprehensive support that includes tuition coverage, laptop computers, living stipends and other essential academic resources throughout the duration of the beneficiaries’ university programmes.

Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s dedication to empowering talented students while strengthening the human capital needed to drive Africa’s digital transformation.

He noted that the true impact of an organisation is measured not only by its commercial achievements but also by the positive difference it makes in people’s lives, especially by supporting students who have the potential to succeed but lack adequate financial resources.

Ogunsanya explained that the foundation is focused on helping talented but underserved students thrive academically, while ensuring that Africa’s future in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science and digital innovation is shaped by skilled African professionals.

He added that the fellowship programme, which is being implemented through Airtel Nigeria, aims to close the gap between talent, funding and opportunity. Each beneficiary will receive annual financial support of ₦500,000 for the duration of their four- or five-year academic programmes. In addition to financial assistance, fellows will also benefit from mentorship, academic guidance and career development support.

The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, emphasised that youth development remains a critical part of the company’s mission to contribute to national development.

According to him, investing in young people helps accelerate innovation and strengthens social and economic stability.

Balsingh noted that by connecting promising students to knowledge, skills and confidence, the organisation is helping to prepare a new generation of technology leaders who will contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy.

He also encouraged the scholarship recipients to remain committed to academic excellence and leadership as they continue their educational and professional journeys.

The Nigerian fellows will also become part of a growing network of Airtel Africa Foundation scholars currently studying in countries such as Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and India.

The scholarship initiative forms part of the foundation’s broader strategy to support technology education, youth empowerment and the growth of Africa’s digital economy by aligning academic training with the skills required in today’s technology-driven world.