Airtel Africa Foundation Grants Tech Scholarships to Nigerian Students

Airtel Africa Foundation awards tech scholarships to Nigerian students for Artificial Intelligence studies at Plaksha University, India.

Airtel Africa Foundation Empowers Nigerian Students with Tech Scholarships

The Airtel Africa Foundation, through its Nigerian subsidiary, has awarded prestigious tech scholarships to two outstanding Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed. Both will pursue Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology studies at Plaksha University in Mohali, India, an institution globally recognized for its innovative approach to 21st-century engineering education.

About the Airtel Africa Fellowship

Launched in September 2024, the Airtel Africa Fellowship is the flagship education initiative of the Foundation. The program was designed to support academically gifted but financially disadvantaged youth across Africa by providing access to world-class STEM education and international exposure.

With Airtel Africa operating in 14 countries, the Fellowship aligns with its broader mission of education, financial inclusion, environmental sustainability, and digital inclusion.

Rigorous Selection Process

The selection process for the Airtel Fellowship was highly competitive, managed by Plaksha University itself. Candidates were evaluated based on:

Academic excellence
Leadership potential
Personal drive and motivation
Alignment with Plaksha’s vision for innovation and global impact

From a pool of applicants spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania, 21 candidates were shortlisted. After two rounds of interviews and a final review, only two Nigerian students were awarded the Fellowship.

Voices from Airtel Leadership

Nurturing Africa’s Future Tech Leaders

Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, highlighted the program’s importance:

“This Fellowship is about equipping Africa’s future tech leaders with the right skills while nurturing their talent, drive, and ambition to transform their communities. We are immensely proud of Terence and Ali and confident they will make Nigeria proud.”

Driving Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, emphasized the role of the Fellowship in building human capital:

“Through high-calibre technology education, our goal is to contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy by training a new generation of technical talents.”

Future Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to this Fellowship, the Airtel Africa Foundation plans to announce 100 additional local scholarships for Nigerian undergraduates. This forms part of its wider commitment to empowering African youth and building a sustainable digital future.

The Foundation continues to invest in STEM education, ensuring that young Africans gain the skills needed to thrive in the global digital economy.

Why Airtel Scholarships Matter

The Airtel Africa tech scholarships are vital because they:

Provide access to world-class Artificial Intelligence education
Equip Nigerian youth with future-ready digital skills
Support Nigeria’s digital transformation goals
Create opportunities for underserved communities

For more information about education opportunities in Nigeria, you can check Nairametrics Education Updates or explore Study Abroad Scholarships for global opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Scholarships reflect a strong commitment to Africa’s future. By empowering students like Terence and Ali with world-class AI and tech education, Airtel is not only transforming individual lives but also shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.

This initiative proves that with the right investment in education and technology, Africa can nurture a new generation of innovators ready to compete globally.