Chess in Slums Africa founder Tunde Onakoya, in partnership with Jobs59 founder Sam Otigba and AltSchool Africa founder HackSultan, has launched a ₦250 million scholarship programme to help Nigerian corps members and recent graduates acquire in-demand digital and technology skills.
The initiative will provide successful applicants with ₦160,000 scholarships to study diploma programmes at AltSchool Africa, alongside career mentorship, internship opportunities, job placement support, and free laptops for selected beneficiaries.
Announcing the initiative, Sam Otigba said the programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical technology skills that can lead to meaningful employment.
According to him, the scholarship represents the partners’ contribution to addressing youth unemployment by preparing graduates for careers in the digital economy.
Scholarship Benefits
Each successful applicant will receive:
- ₦10,000 to cover the AltSchool Africa application fee.
- ₦150,000 toward tuition fees.
- Total scholarship value of ₦160,000.
- Career mentorship and professional guidance.
- Internship opportunities.
- Job placement support through Jobs59.
- Portfolio development assistance.
- Opportunity to apply for a free laptop through an additional scholarship process.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to:
- Current NYSC corps members.
- Prospective corps members.
- Recent NYSC alumni.
Available Diploma Programmes
Successful applicants can choose from the following diploma programmes:
- AI-Powered Fullstack Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Technical Product Management
- Digital Marketing Automation and Sales
The programmes are expected to run for nine to twelve months, with participants becoming eligible to apply for internships from the sixth month of study.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply by following these steps:
- Visit the AltSchool Africa NYSC Tech Job Scholarship portal.
- Complete the scholarship application form using your NYSC details.
- Select your preferred diploma programme.
- Submit your application for eligibility review.
- Await notification and admission guidance if selected.
Applicants who do not own a laptop can also apply separately for the Laptop Scholarship Add-on, which will provide selected beneficiaries with laptops to support their studies.
Career Development Support
Beyond technical training, scholarship recipients will benefit from:
- Internship opportunities.
- Employment support through Jobs59.
- Career coaching and mentorship.
- Portfolio development to improve employability.
According to the organisers, the programme is designed to help participants transform their NYSC service year or post-service period into a pathway toward sustainable careers in technology.
Tunde Onakoya said the initiative will not only build technical competence but also help young Nigerians develop discipline, resilience, and practical career skills needed to thrive in today’s digital economy.
By combining industry-focused training with mentorship and employment support, the programme aims to prepare a new generation of technology professionals capable of competing in both local and global job markets.
