By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The first batch of Nigerian undergraduates to enjoy fully paid scholarships for studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses across the continent has been chosen by Airtel Africa Foundation.

Business Post gathered that 70 students from universities across Nigeria were selected from thousands of applicants through an independently managed process, which took nearly six months.

It was learned that most of the undergraduates were from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria), and the University of Nigeria (UNN).

The scholarship covers tuition, laptop computers, living expenses, and essential learning resources, a statement from Airtel Africa Foundation disclosed.

The chairman of the foundation, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, speaking at the presentation of the scholarships to the beneficiaries at the Lagos headquarters of Airtel Nigeria, emphasised the need for initiatives such as the Airtel Africa Foundation’s undergraduate tech scholarship for the future of the continent.

“True legacy is not measured by the awards we win or the volume of SIM cards we sell; it is measured by the lives we save, the people we feed, and the students we support when the line between success and failure is at its thinnest.

“At the Airtel Africa Foundation, we believe that lifting people out of poverty is the ultimate benchmark of a great company. Today, we are writing that legacy by tilting the balance in favour of the brilliant but underserved, ensuring that the fourth industrial revolution, driven by AI and Data Science, is built by African talent for the African continent,” he stated.

Mr Ogunsanya further revealed that this fellowship, executed through Airtel Nigeria, is designed to bridge the gap where funding, skills, and opportunity often fail to meet.

In addition to the N500,000 yearly budget for the fellows’ four-year or five-year courses, each fellow would be integrated into a structured support system for academic guidance and career mentorship, intended to ultimately transition students from the classroom to the global tech workforce.

Addressing the students, the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, stressed that youth development is a strategic imperative for Airtel.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we view youth development as essential nation-building. When young people succeed, innovation accelerates, and social stability improves.

“By connecting these brilliant scholars to knowledge, skills, and confidence, we are fulfilling our core mission to connect people to opportunity. To our recipients: you earned your place here through merit and discipline. You are now ambassadors of excellence, and we expect your leadership to be defined by your conduct as you help shape a more inclusive digital future for Nigeria,” the Airtel Nigeria chief said.

The Nigerian cohort joins a prestigious network of Airtel Africa Foundation fellows currently studying in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and India.

The initiative underscores a broader commitment to technology education, youth development, and Nigeria’s digital economy.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has unlocked $552 million under the HOPE-EDU programme to fast-track reforms in the country’s basic education sector, in what has been described as the fastest activation of education financing of such scale in the nation’s history.

The HOPE-EDU initiative, HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All, is co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education. It is structured as a results-driven intervention targeting improved learning outcomes, equitable access to education and stronger institutional capacity at the state level.

The funding, secured through the Federal Ministry of Education, is aimed at strengthening foundational learning, expanding access to quality basic education and reinforcing accountability systems across participating states.

The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, said the milestone reflects the administration’s determination to reposition education as a pillar of national development under President Bola Tinubu.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, on Tuesday.

“The unlocking of the $552 million HOPE-EDU funding in just 12 months represents the fastest activation of education financing of this scale in our history. It reflects clarity of vision, strong intergovernmental coordination, and our unwavering commitment to delivering measurable results for Nigerian children,” the Minister stated.

“Under the leadership of President Tinubu, we are demonstrating that reform can be decisive, accountable, and impactful. These resources will directly strengthen foundational learning, expand access, and reinforce system-wide accountability across participating states,” the statement added.

HOPE-EDU aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), a broader reform framework focused on transparency, measurable performance and sector-wide transformation.

The programme also complements other pillars of the reform agenda, including HOPE-Governance and HOPE-Primary Health Care, which seek to address systemic challenges in public financial management, service delivery and policy coordination in key social sectors.

The development comes amid increased budgetary commitment to education. Since 2022, federal allocation to the sector has risen by over 302 per cent, according to the ministry.

In the 2026 fiscal year, the government earmarked N3.520 trillion for education, the highest allocation to date, alongside increased sub-national funding to support state-level priorities and targeted interventions.

The ministry said the latest funding injection is expected to translate into tangible gains in foundational literacy and numeracy, teacher effectiveness, equitable school access and strengthened accountability mechanisms.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced an extension to the deadline for its student loan application portal following a notable rise in nationwide interest driven by ongoing awareness campaigns.

In a Monday statement signed by Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, the extension was necessitated after a public notice issued last week announcing the closure of the application portal on February 27, 2026.

Mrs Oluwatuyi expressed that the extension was approved due to strong responses from students and key stakeholders across the country, alongside a surge in applications and enquiries.

She stated that the extension window will allow additional time for eligible students to complete their submissions, stressing that further decisions regarding the timeline will be communicated by management in due course.

She wrote, “According to NELFUND, the extension is intended to support several categories of applicants, including students who require more time to complete their applications, prospective applicants who only recently learned about the scheme through nationwide sensitisation programmes, and institutions that have just begun the 2025/2026 academic session.

“It will also accommodate institutions that are yet to submit their verified student lists.”

The chief executive of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to higher education financing, explaining that the sensitisation activities carried out across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have significantly increased awareness and participation in the programme.

“In line with the fund’s mandate to expand access to tertiary education funding, the extension was approved to ensure all eligible students are given a fair opportunity to apply.

“NELFUND also advised institutions that have not yet commenced the 2025/2026 academic session to submit a formal request for an extension along with their approved academic calendar for review,” he stated.

“Students are encouraged to make use of the extended period to complete their applications through the official NELFUND portal before the application window eventually closes.

“The fund reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the delivery of sustainable student financing initiatives aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria,” he added.

NELFUND charges students and members of the public to contact NELFUND via email at in**@******ov.ng or visit its official social media platforms for further enquiries.