Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship 2026/2027: 100 Undergraduate Scholarships for Tech Students, Closes 7 December - ApexTutorial Blog

<p>The Airtel Africa Foundation has opened applications for the 2026/2027 Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship in Nigeria. The fellowship will support 100 high-performing undergraduate students studying information and communication technology (ICT) and other technology-related courses at 12 accredited Nigerian universities, from 100 level through to their final year, provided they meet the programme's conditions. Applications opened on Monday 9 November 2026 and close on Monday 7 December 2026.</p> <h2>Quick information</h2> <ul> <li>Sponsor: Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc</li> <li>Programme: Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship 2026/2027</li> <li>Number of places: 100 undergraduate students</li> <li>Support: From 100 level through to final year, subject to the programme's conditions</li> <li>Application opened: Monday 9 November 2026</li> <li>Application closes: Monday 7 December 2026</li> <li>Application portal: The official Airtel Africa Foundation application portal</li> <li>Selection: All evaluations and selections will be conducted by independent management consultants</li> </ul> <h2>Who can apply</h2> <ul> <li>You must be a high-performing undergraduate student studying an ICT or technology-related course at one of the 12 participating universities listed below.</li> <li>The fellowship is for students in eligible technology programmes, including Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering and other technology-related fields.</li> <li>The fellowship supports students from 100 level through to their final year, so it is aimed at students early in their degree.</li> <li>The application listing directs every applicant to the official application portal for the complete eligibility criteria and the supporting documents to upload. Read those requirements on the portal before you apply, and do not rely on any other page's summary of them.</li> <li>The first cycle's published criteria are a useful guide while you prepare: Nigerian citizenship, newly admitted 100-level status, at least 230 in the UTME, and five O'Level credits including English Language and Mathematics in one sitting. These were the first cycle's rules, not the 2026/2027 rules, so confirm the current requirements on the application portal.</li> </ul> <h2>The 12 participating universities</h2> <ul> <li>University of Lagos (UNILAG)</li> <li>University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)</li> <li>Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)</li> <li>University of Benin (UNIBEN)</li> <li>Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)</li> <li>University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)</li> <li>Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)</li> <li>University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)</li> <li>University of Uyo (UNIUYO)</li> <li>Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)</li> <li>University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)</li> <li>University of Ibadan (UI)</li> </ul> <h2>What the fellowship covers</h2> <ul> <li>Tuition fee support for the duration of the degree, subject to the programme's conditions.</li> <li>Financial stipends to support the fellow through the degree.</li> <li>Mentorship opportunities from the programme.</li> <li>Essential study materials and other academic needs.</li> <li>The first cycle's package was reported as a full-ride award with a yearly budget of ₦500,000 per fellow, covering tuition, laptops, living expenses and learning resources. The 2026/2027 listing does not restate a naira figure, so treat the amount as unconfirmed for this cycle and rely on the benefits listed above.</li> </ul> <h2>How to apply step by step</h2> <ol> <li>Open the official application portal and read the complete eligibility criteria and the list of supporting documents before you start.</li> <li>Create your application account on the portal with an email address you can access.</li> <li>Confirm that your university is one of the 12 participating universities and that your course is an eligible ICT or technology-related programme.</li> <li>Fill in the application form with your correct personal, academic and contact details.</li> <li>Upload the supporting documents the portal asks for, and check that each file is clear and complete.</li> <li>Review the whole application once more, then submit it before Monday 7 December 2026.</li> <li>Keep your login details and the email address you used, so you can receive the selection notice.</li> </ol> <h2>What happened in the first cycle</h2> <ul> <li>The fellowship began in Nigeria with seven participating universities: UNILAG, UNN, ABU, UNIBEN, OAU, UNILORIN and TASUED.</li> <li>The first cohort of 70 fellows was inducted in March at Airtel Nigeria's Lagos headquarters.</li> <li>The 2026/2027 cycle expands the programme to 12 universities and 100 places, adding UNIABUJA, UNIUYO, FUTO, UNIMAID and UI.</li> <li>The first cycle's application portal was the Scholastica platform. The 2026/2027 application link points to a different portal, so use only the link in the official links section below.</li> </ul> <h2>Common mistakes to avoid</h2> <ul> <li>Applying when your university is not one of the 12 participating universities, or your course is not an ICT or technology-related programme.</li> <li>Using the old Scholastica link from the first cycle instead of the current application portal.</li> <li>Waiting until the last days before 7 December 2026, when the portal may be slow or crowded.</li> <li>Submitting with guessed or incomplete eligibility details instead of reading the full criteria on the portal.</li> <li>Paying anyone who claims they can secure a place. Selection is by independent management consultants, and no official fee has been announced.</li> </ul> <h2>Scam warning</h2> <p>Apply only through the official application portal linked below. Do not pay any agent, individual or third-party page that claims to sell the form, guarantee selection, or fast-track your application. The Airtel Africa Foundation has not announced any application fee for this fellowship. If anyone asks you for money or your bank details to process this scholarship, stop and report them.</p> <h2>Important official links</h2> <p><a href="https://apply.theafarainitiative.org">Official application portal</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.airtelafricafoundation.org/">Airtel Africa Foundation</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/airtel-nigeria_airtelnigeria-techfellowship-education-activity-7525490335884402690-ETTV">Airtel Nigeria announcement</a></p> <p><a href="https://yeshub.ng/apply-to-airtel-africa-foundation-tech-fellowship/">Fellowship listing with deadline and universities</a></p> <p><a href="https://themomentng.com/2026/11/09/airtel-nigeria-opens-applications-for-2026-2027-tech-fellowship/">Report of the opening</a></p> <h2>Frequently asked questions</h2> <p>When does the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship 2026/2027 close?</p> <p>Applications close on Monday 7 December 2026. Apply early, and do not wait for the last day.</p> <p>How many students will be selected?</p> <p>100 undergraduate students will be supported in the 2026/2027 cycle.</p> <p>Which universities can apply?</p> <p>Only the 12 participating universities listed in this post: UNILAG, UNN, ABU, UNIBEN, OAU, UNILORIN, TASUED, UNIABUJA, UNIUYO, FUTO, UNIMAID and UI. Students at other universities are not eligible for this cycle.</p> <p>Which courses qualify?</p> <p>Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering and other technology-related fields, as listed on the application portal.</p> <p>Where do I apply?</p> <p>Through the official application portal linked in the official links section above. The first cycle used the Scholastica platform; this cycle's link is different, so use only the current portal.</p> <p>What does the fellowship cover?</p> <p>Tuition fee support, financial stipends, mentorship and essential study materials, from 100 level through to final year, subject to the programme's conditions.</p> <p>Is there an application fee?</p> <p>No application fee has been announced. Apply only through the official portal and pay nobody for this scholarship.</p>