The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has announced that two Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, have been awarded the prestigious Airtel Africa Fellowship. The scholars will pursue undergraduate studies in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, at Plaksha University, India, an institution renowned for reimagining engineering education for the 21st century. The Fellowship, launched in September 2024, is a flagship initiative designed to give academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African youth access to world-class STEM education and global opportunities.
Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, described the award as more than just an opportunity to study abroad. He said it was about equipping Africa’s future technology leaders with modern skills while nurturing their ambition to transform their communities and the world. He expressed pride in the two Nigerians, adding that they exemplify the calibre of talent the Foundation aims to empower.
The selection process was competitive and rigorous, with Plaksha University managing the evaluation. Candidates from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania were assessed based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and personal drive. Out of 21 shortlisted applicants, 13 reached the interview stages, with the final decision leading to the selection of two Nigerians. Airtel Africa said the programme underscores its vision of equipping African youth with digital skills, breaking poverty cycles, and fostering innovation.
Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, emphasized that such scholarships are vital to building the human capital needed for Nigeria’s digital transformation. He noted that by investing in high-quality technology education, Airtel hopes to strengthen the nation’s digital economy and produce technical talent at scale. The Foundation also revealed plans to roll out 100 additional local scholarships for Nigerian undergraduates, reaffirming its broader mission of empowering youth under its F.E.E.D. pillars – financial inclusion, education, environmental protection, and digital inclusion.