Startup Abuja has launched a ₦50 million nationwide scholarship programme aimed at supporting students in Nigerian tertiary institutions and equipping them with skills required to compete in the evolving global economy.

The initiative, which is open to students across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country, is designed to address some of the financial and skills-development challenges confronting young Nigerians.

Under the programme, successful applicants will receive full tuition sponsorship for one academic session, monthly stipends for six months, as well as opportunities for paid remote internships and entrepreneurship programmes.

Beneficiaries will also have access to training in professional, in-demand skills and financial literacy coaching covering areas such as saving, investment and personal financial management.

According to the organisation, the initiative is focused not only on providing financial assistance but also on creating a pathway for students to transition from tertiary education into employment, entrepreneurship and the global workforce.

The Executive Director of Startup Abuja, Chigozie Ezugwu, said the programme was driven by the need to make quality education and opportunities more accessible to young Nigerians.

“The future of Africa’s digital economy relies entirely on our ability to democratise access to education. We are not just paying tuition fees; we are intentionally building a complete pipeline that takes a Nigerian student from the classroom straight into the global workspace with real-world experience and capital support,” Ezugwu said.

The organisers said there is no minimum CGPA requirement for the scholarship. Instead, applicants are expected to demonstrate academic potential, leadership qualities and a genuine interest in innovation.

The programme is open to students currently enrolled in any Nigerian tertiary institution, regardless of their field of study.

Startup Abuja said the scholarship was conceived against the backdrop of increasing financial pressures on students and the growing demand for digital and other employability skills in the labour market.

The organisation said it hopes to use the programme to help develop a generation of young Nigerians capable of creating solutions to local challenges while participating competitively in the global economy.

Applications for the scholarship are currently open, with the deadline set for August 31, 2026.

Interested students are expected to review the eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the official scholarship portal before the closing date.