The initiative aims to bridge the gap between higher education and employment by providing financial support, technical training, career mentorship and job placement opportunities for young Nigerians seeking to build careers in the technology sector.
The organisers announced the programme on Thursday, describing it as an effort to prepare graduates for the evolving digital economy while addressing youth unemployment through practical, industry-relevant skills.
Sharing details of the initiative on X, Otigba said the programme was created to help recent graduates transition successfully into the workforce.
“We’re solving the Olodo uprising pandemic, one NYSC at a time. That’s our contribution to society,” he wrote.
“That’s why Tunde Onakoya, HackSultan and I are launching a ₦250 million scholarship fund to help recent graduates gain real, in-demand tech skills that lead to jobs.”
Under the programme, each successful applicant will receive a scholarship worth ₦160,000. The package includes ₦10,000 to cover the application fee and ₦150,000 toward tuition for any diploma programme offered by AltSchool Africa.
Beyond tuition support, beneficiaries will also receive career guidance, internship opportunities, portfolio development assistance and access to job placement services through Jobs59.
The organisers said some scholarship recipients would also qualify for free laptops to ensure they have the tools needed to complete their studies.
Applicants who do not own a laptop can apply separately for the Laptop Scholarship Add-on, which will provide selected beneficiaries with computers to support their learning. According to the organisers, laptop support requires an additional application after the scholarship application has been submitted.
Eligibility
The scholarship is open to:
- Current NYSC corps members
- Prospective corps members
- Recent NYSC alumni
Available programmes
Successful applicants can enrol in diploma programmes across several high-demand technology fields, including:
- AI-Powered Fullstack Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Technical Product Management
- Digital Marketing Automation and Sales
The diploma programmes are expected to last between nine and 12 months, with participants becoming eligible to apply for internship opportunities from the sixth month of study.
According to the organisers, the initiative goes beyond technical education by providing structured career support to improve graduates' chances of securing employment after completing their training.
Recipients will benefit from internship placements, job placement support through Jobs59, career mentorship and guidance on building professional portfolios that showcase their skills to potential employers.
Otigba said the programme was designed to help young Nigerians make productive use of their service year by combining learning with practical career preparation.
“Beyond technical training, participants will also receive career support and internship/job opportunities through Jobs59,” he said.
“We also know that learning without a laptop is a major barrier, so we’ll be providing laptops to a select number of scholarship recipients through an additional application process.”
Onakoya, who is supporting the initiative as a youth development partner, said the programme is intended to help young Nigerians develop not only technical expertise but also the discipline, resilience and practical skills needed to succeed in today's competitive job market.
The initiative reflects a growing effort by private sector leaders to equip Nigerian graduates with digital skills that are increasingly in demand across local and global industries, while creating pathways to employment beyond the NYSC programme.