Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with Airtel Nigeria, has granted two Nigerian students scholarships to study at Plaksha University, India, as part of the Airtel Africa Fellowship program.
The two awardees, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, were selected after a rigorous process and will pursue undergraduate degrees in technology fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Plaksha University, known for its innovative approach to engineering education.
The Airtel Africa Fellowship was launched in September 2024 as an initiative by the Airtel Africa Foundation to offer gifted African students from underprivileged backgrounds access to top-notch STEM education and global learning opportunities.
Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, emphasized that the program aims to nurture future technology leaders in Africa rather than just providing education access.
“The Fellowship goes beyond education; it empowers Africa’s future innovators, equips them with relevant skills, and supports their aspirations to positively impact their communities and beyond. Terence and Ali will undoubtedly make Nigeria proud,” stated Ogunsanya.
The selection process, managed by Plaksha University, was stringent, evaluating applicants based on academics, potential, motivation, and alignment with the university’s values. Out of candidates from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania, 21 were shortlisted, with two Nigerians being granted scholarships.
Through this collaboration, Airtel Africa Foundation strives to empower African youth with digital skills, promote innovation, and combat poverty through education and empowerment.
CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in shaping a tech-savvy workforce.
“This scholarship is a strategic move towards preparing young Nigerians for the digital future. By providing advanced tech education, we aim to contribute to Nigeria’s digital transformation by nurturing globally competitive professionals,” Balsingh remarked.
The Foundation also announced plans to offer 100 more scholarships to Nigerian undergraduates, aligning with its commitment to foster development through initiatives like Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion.
