Tunde Onakoya ₦250 Million Tech Scholarship Fund 2026 for Young Nigerian Graduates (In Partnership with AltSchool Africa)
Applications are now open for the ₦250 Million NYSC Tech Scholarship Fund, a major career-development initiative created to help young Nigerian graduates acquire practical, in-demand technology skills and move from national service into better employment opportunities.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with AltSchool Africa, with youth-development support from Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, and career placement support through Jobs 59.
A total scholarship fund of ₦250 million will be shared among approximately 1,562 eligible learners, with each successful applicant receiving about ₦160,000 in scholarship support toward an eligible AltSchool Africa technology diploma.
The programme goes beyond tuition support. Selected learners will receive structured technical training, portfolio-building opportunities, career support, access to internship and job opportunities, and, for some applicants who genuinely need one, an opportunity to receive laptop support.
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About the Scholarship
Thousands of graduates complete university and NYSC every year but still struggle to transition into employment because employers increasingly expect candidates to demonstrate practical, job-ready skills in addition to academic qualifications.
The NYSC Tech Scholarship Fund is designed to help bridge that gap.
Eligible young Nigerians can use the scholarship to enroll in an AltSchool Africa diploma programme, spend their service year or post-service period developing practical skills, build real projects, and prepare for internships and entry-level employment.
The goal is straightforward: help graduates turn their NYSC period into a structured pathway from university to technology careers.
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Scholarship Value
Each eligible learner may receive approximately:
- ₦160,000 total scholarship support
- ₦10,000 toward the application fee
- ₦150,000 toward eligible AltSchool school fees
Who Can Apply
The programme is targeted primarily at young Nigerian graduates around the NYSC stage of their careers.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Current NYSC corps members
- Recent NYSC alumni
- Graduates preparing to begin NYSC
- Young Nigerian graduates interested in transitioning into technology careers
- Applicants willing to commit to an intensive technical diploma programme
- Individuals interested in building practical, employable technology skills
Applicants will be asked to provide information about their NYSC stage, preferred diploma pathway, and career goals during the application process.
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Available Diploma Programmes
Successful applicants can select from a range of practical career pathways.
AI-Powered Fullstack Engineering
Participants learn how to build complete digital products covering frontend development, backend systems, databases, APIs, deployment, and AI-assisted engineering workflows.
Cloud Engineering
This pathway focuses on designing, deploying, and managing cloud infrastructure used by modern software and technology companies.
Cybersecurity
Learners develop practical knowledge of networks, identity management, cybersecurity risk, defensive security, and security operations.
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Data Analysis
Participants learn how to transform raw data into useful business insights through data analysis, dashboards, visualization, and storytelling.
Technical Product Management
This programme combines product strategy, design thinking, engineering literacy, and AI-enabled product development to prepare learners for product management roles.
Digital Marketing Automation and Sales
Learners develop practical skills in digital strategy, performance campaigns, CRM automation, sales pipelines, customer acquisition, and growth measurement.
Additional AltSchool pathways may be available depending on the intake and programme options presented during enrollment.
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What Participants Will Gain
The programme is designed to combine education with practical career preparation.
Participants can expect:
- Industry-relevant technology training
- Guided practical projects
- Portfolio development
- Career preparation
- Internship opportunities
- Entry-level job opportunities
- Mentorship and youth-development support
- Exposure to hiring partners
- Practical experience using modern tools
- Opportunities to build evidence of their technical abilities
Learners are expected to graduate with more than a certificate. The aim is to help them develop portfolios, practical projects, and demonstrable skills that can be presented to employers.
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Laptop Scholarship Support
Recognizing that access to a suitable computer can prevent talented graduates from participating in technology training, the programme also includes a separate laptop support opportunity.
Applicants who qualify for the main scholarship but do not have a suitable laptop may be considered for additional laptop assistance.
Laptop support will be provided to selected learners only and is not automatically included with the ₦160,000 scholarship.
Applicants interested in laptop support may be required to complete an additional application or assessment process.
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Career and Internship Support
One of the major features of the programme is its emphasis on helping participants transition from learning into employment.
Learners can begin pursuing internship opportunities from approximately Month 6 of their diploma programme.
Career opportunities may include:
- Internships
- Graduate roles
- Entry-level jobs
- Remote opportunities
- On-site employment
- Opportunities with startups and established companies
The programme is designed so that participants can develop skills and begin demonstrating their capabilities while still completing their training.
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Jobs 59 Career Placement Partnership
Jobs 59 is supporting the employment side of the programme by helping diploma graduates connect with opportunities after their training.
Its role includes:
- Building a placement pipeline for graduates
- Connecting learners with internship opportunities
- Connecting participants with entry-level vacancies
- Working with hiring partners
- Helping graduates convert portfolio projects into employable proof of skills
- Supporting the transition from technical training into actual work
This means the programme does not stop at providing access to courses; it also aims to strengthen the pathway from education to employment.
Tunde Onakoya’s Role
Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, is supporting the initiative from a youth-development and mentorship perspective.
His involvement focuses on helping shape a learner experience built around:
- Discipline
- Confidence
- Consistency
- Resilience
- Career ambition
- Opportunity building
- Following through on long-term goals
The intention is to ensure that participants receive not only technical training but also the mindset and support needed to complete the programme and pursue meaningful career opportunities.
How the Programme Works
The process is structured around four stages.
1. Apply for Support
Applicants provide information about where they are in their NYSC journey, their preferred technology diploma, and their career goals.
2. Receive Scholarship Support
AltSchool’s admissions team reviews submitted information and confirms whether the applicant qualifies for scholarship support.
Successful applicants receive approximately ₦160,000 toward an eligible diploma programme.
3. Learn and Build
Participants enroll in their selected programme, complete practical learning activities, and build projects that demonstrate their skills.
4. Move Into Work
As participants progress through the programme, they receive support to pursue internships, entry-level positions, and other career opportunities.