The Airtel Africa Foundation has unveiled its 2026 Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship, a transformative educational initiative designed to empower young Africans from underserved communities with access to higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The program, which represents the first phase of Airtel’s continent-wide fellowship strategy, will begin in Nigeria, supporting at least 100 exceptional undergraduate students in technology-related disciplines across seven major public universities.
Ejes Gist News reports that the Airtel Africa Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc — aims to strengthen Africa’s digital and financial inclusion by nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. The fellowship underscores the company’s commitment to creating sustainable social impact through education and digital literacy.
Overview of the Airtel Africa Fellowship
The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship seeks to address the skill gap in Africa’s technology sector by providing full academic sponsorships to bright, financially challenged students who secure admission into tech or ICT-related undergraduate programs.
Under this initiative, the Foundation will cover tuition, study materials, and accommodation support for the entire duration of the degree program — typically between four to five years. Beneficiaries will also receive a modest living stipend to ease financial pressure throughout their studies.
Also Apply for: University of Bath International Excellence Scholarships in UK 2026: Full Guide for Undergraduate Applicants
Participating Universities
For the 2026 academic cycle, the fellowship will be open to students from the following seven public universities in Nigeria:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
These institutions were selected for their academic excellence, strong ICT departments, and geographical representation across the country.
Fellowship Coverage
According to the Foundation, the fellowship will provide full coverage for:
- Tuition and compulsory fees
- Study materials and equipment
- Accommodation assistance
- A modest monthly stipend
This support will run for the entire duration of each beneficiary’s program, provided they maintain strong academic performance and uphold the terms of the fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions to qualify for the Airtel Africa Fellowship:
- Must be Nigerian citizens and newly admitted (100-level) students.
- Must be enrolled in one of the seven participating public universities.
- Must have scored a minimum of 230 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME/JAMB).
- Must possess five credits in O’Level results (including English and Mathematics) obtained in one sitting.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Must not currently be receiving any other scholarships, grants, or fellowships.
- Must provide required documentation such as JAMB results, admission letter, school ID, and WAEC certificate.
The program also prioritizes gender diversity to ensure inclusive representation of female students in STEM disciplines.
Eligible Courses
Students pursuing degrees in the following areas are eligible to apply:
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Systems Engineering
- Data Science
- Software Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence
- Telecommunication Engineering
- Library and Information Science
- Other related ICT or technology-focused fields
How to Apply
Interested candidates are to submit their applications online via the official portal at:
https://candidate.scholastica.ng/schemes/airtelfellowship2026
Application Steps
- Click on “Apply Now” on the portal.
- Select “Register Now” to create a personal account.
- Activate the account via the confirmation email sent to your inbox.
- Log in to the portal using your registered credentials.
- Complete your personal and educational details accurately.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
Required Documents
Applicants are expected to upload scanned copies of the following:
- Recent passport photograph (JPEG format, max 200KB)
- University admission letter
- UTME (JAMB) result slip
- O’Level result(s) (WAEC/NECO)
- ‘A’ Level/OND/NCE results (if applicable)
Selection Process
The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship selection will be conducted through a transparent and merit-based process. Applications will be reviewed based on academic performance, verified financial need, and fulfillment of all eligibility requirements.
Successful applicants will be notified via email and through the official Scholastica portal, managed by Dragnet Solutions Limited, Airtel’s implementation partner.
Beneficiaries will continue to receive funding annually throughout the duration of their studies, subject to meeting renewal requirements and maintaining good academic standing.
Fellowship Impact and Vision
The Airtel Africa Foundation has reiterated that this fellowship program represents a strategic investment in the continent’s digital future. By equipping youth with critical technology skills, the Foundation aims to nurture Africa’s next generation of innovators, software engineers, and tech entrepreneurs.
The initiative also aligns with Airtel Africa’s broader commitment to sustainable community empowerment, financial inclusion, and environmental responsibility.
According to the Foundation, the long-term vision is to scale the fellowship across all 14 Airtel Africa markets, reaching thousands of students annually and creating a robust network of African tech professionals capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
