Aptech awards N701m scholarships to 200 Nigerian students as 8,000 join tech careers programme

More than 200 Nigerian students have received scholarships worth over N701 million from Aptech under its 2026 Career Quest programme. Over 8,000 students took part in the 18th edition through physical events in seven cities and online sessions.

The scholarships were awarded to students pursuing training in technology and creative fields, according to a statement from the education and skills training company.

Eighteen years of career guidance

The in-person events held in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan and Abeokuta ran between August 7 and August 15, followed by online sessions on August 20 and August 21. The programme focused on career opportunities in artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, networking, animation, multimedia and digital design.

Aptech said participants were also introduced to international education opportunities through its partnership with Middlesex University London. Eligible students enrolled in selected Aptech programmes can use a Credit Transfer Facility to progress to undergraduate degree programmes at Middlesex University in Britain.

UK degree pathways

The available degrees include BSc (Hons) Computer Networks, BSc (Hons) Information Technology and Business Information Systems, BA Animation and BA Animation & Games. Students can enter the pathway through programmes such as Aptech's Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering – Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Diploma in Multimedia & Animation, subject to the university's admission and credit-transfer requirements.

Kallol Mukherjee, executive vice president, international business at Aptech Limited, said the turnout showed strong interest among Nigerian youths in careers linked to the digital economy. Mukherjee said: “Career Quest continues to serve as an important platform where students receive the guidance, exposure and confidence to make informed academic and career decisions."

Tech skills demand grows

The scholarship programme comes as demand for technology skills and digital jobs continues to shape education and employment discussions in Nigeria. Aptech said it has operated in Nigeria for more than two decades and currently has 72 centres across the country. Globally, the company has more than 800 centres.

Nigerian programmes range from short-term technology courses to longer career and degree-pathway programmes covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, full-stack development, ethical hacking, Internet of Things, cloud computing, cybersecurity, UI/UX and 3D visualisation.

In a related development, the Federal Government has launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a free skills programme targeting 32,000 Nigerians across the country's 36 states and the FCT. The academy went live on Monday, August 17, 2026, as part of the Federal Government's National Skilling Project. The programme is being run in partnership with global learning platform Coursera, and will offer successful applicants free learning licences at no personal cost. Participants can choose from more than 10 high-demand skill areas.

For young Nigerians seeking digital careers, the rise of both private scholarship programmes and government-backed training signals stronger pathways into technology fields, though access remains limited relative to the number of applicants.