Chess in Slums Africa founder Tunde Onakoya has partnered with Jobs59 founder Sam Otigba and AltSchool Africa’s HackSultan to launch a ₦250 million scholarship programme for NYSC members and recent graduates.
According to Punch on Friday, July 24, 2026, the initiative aims to help young Nigerians transition from national service into the workforce through tech education, career mentorship, and employment opportunities.
Each successful applicant will receive ₦160,000 in scholarship funding, comprising ₦10,000 for application fees and ₦150,000 for tuition to enrol in an AltSchool Africa diploma programme. Beneficiaries will also receive mentorship, portfolio development, internship placements, and job opportunities through Jobs59. Those without laptops may qualify for free laptops after completing an additional application process.
The 9- to 12-month diploma programmes cover AI-Powered Fullstack Engineering, Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, Data Analysis, Technical Product Management, and Digital Marketing Automation and Sales. Students can begin applying for internships from the sixth month.
The scholarship is open to serving corps members, prospective corps members, and recent NYSC alumni. Sam Otigba said the initiative seeks to tackle youth unemployment by turning the NYSC year into a pathway to technology careers, while Tunde Onakoya stressed the importance of equipping young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills for long-term success.
