Young Nigerian graduates now have another opportunity to build rewarding careers in technology through the Tunde Onakoya ₦250 million scholarship The initiative, launched in partnership with Jobs59 and AltSchool Africa, is designed to equip NYSC corps members and recent graduates with practical digital skills that are highly sought after in today’s job market
Beyond financial support, beneficiaries will gain access to career mentorship, internship opportunities, job placement assistance, and, for selected applicants, free laptops to aid their learning The program aims to remove financial and technological barriers that often prevent young Nigerians from entering the tech industry
If you are currently serving, preparing for NYSC, or recently completed your service year, this guide explains everything you need to know about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, available courses, and the application process
Tunde Onakoya Launches ₦250 Million Tech Scholarship for Nigerian Graduates
Chess in Slums Africa founder Tunde Onakoya has joined forces with Jobs59 founder Sam Otigba and AltSchool Africa founder HackSultan to introduce a ₦250 million scholarship program targeted at empowering Nigerian graduates with practical technology skills
The initiative is focused on helping young Nigerians transition successfully from the NYSC program into well paying careers by providing access to quality tech education and professional development opportunities
According to the organizers, successful applicants will receive scholarships worth ₦160,000, covering both application and tuition expenses
Scholarship Benefits
Applicants selected for the program will enjoy several valuable benefits, including:
- ₦10,000 support for the application fee
- ₦150,000 tuition scholarship
- Total scholarship value of ₦160,000
- Internship opportunities
- Career mentorship
- Portfolio development support
- Job placement assistance through Jobs59
- Admission guidance throughout the learning journey
- Opportunity to apply for a free laptop
The program is designed to give participants both technical knowledge and career support that can improve their employability after graduation
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to:
- Current NYSC corps members
- Prospective NYSC corps members
- Recent NYSC graduates (alumni)
This broad eligibility ensures that graduates at different stages of their service journey can benefit from the opportunity
How to Apply for Tunde Onakoya’s ₦250 Million Scholarship
Interested applicants should follow these simple steps:
Step 1 Visit the Scholarship Portal
- Go to the official NYSC Tech Scholarship portal provided by AltSchool Africa
H3: Step 2 Complete the Application Form
- Fill in the scholarship application form using your valid NYSC information and personal details
Step 3 Choose Your Preferred Program
- Select the diploma program that best matches your career interests
Step 4 Submit Your Application
- Submit your completed application for eligibility screening and review
Step 5 Await Notification
- Successful candidates will receive admission guidance and details on how to access their scholarship funding
How to Apply for the Free Laptop
- Applicants who do not own a laptop can also benefit from additional support
- The organizers revealed that selected scholarship recipients will receive free laptops to assist with their studies
- However, the laptop program requires a separate application process after successfully applying for the scholarship
Available Diploma Programs
Successful applicants can choose from several industry focused diploma courses, including:
- AI Powered Full stack Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Technical Product Management
- Digital Marketing Automation and Sales
These programs typically run for nine to twelve months, while internship applications begin from the sixth month of study
Career Support Beyond the Scholarship
The initiative goes beyond classroom learning by preparing participants for employment
Beneficiaries will receive:
- Internship opportunities
- Career coaching and mentorship
- Professional portfolio development
- Job placement support through Jobs59
According to Sam Otigba, the goal is to help graduates transform their NYSC year into a launchpad for long term career success
Tunde Onakoya also emphasized that the program seeks to build discipline, resilience, and practical workplace skills that will prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the rapidly growing technology sector
Why This Scholarship Matters
Nigeria’s technology industry continues to create new opportunities for skilled professionals, but many graduates struggle to access quality training due to financial constraints
The Tunde Onakoya ₦250 million scholarship aims to bridge this gap by providing affordable access to tech education, mentorship, internship opportunities, and career support By combining scholarship funding with practical learning and employment pathways, the initiative offers young Nigerians a stronger chance of securing meaningful careers after NYSC
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