TLDR: Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has granted two Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, full tech fellowships to study Artificial Intelligence and other technology disciplines at Plaksha University in Mohali, India. This initiative, part of the Airtel Africa Fellowship launched in September 2024, aims to empower academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African youth and contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy.
Lagos, Nigeria – September 3, 2025 – The Airtel Africa Foundation, in collaboration with Airtel Nigeria, has proudly announced the recipients of its esteemed Airtel Africa Fellowship. Two exceptional Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, have been awarded full scholarships to pursue undergraduate degrees in cutting-edge technology disciplines, including Artificial Intelligence, at the renowned Plaksha University in Mohali, India. This institution is celebrated for its innovative approach to 21st-century engineering education.
The Airtel Africa Fellowship, a flagship educational initiative of the Airtel Africa Foundation, was launched in September 2024. As the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecom and mobile money services across 14 African countries, the Foundation’s core mission is to empower academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African youth. The fellowship provides unparalleled access to world-class STEM education and global opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable.
Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, emphasized the broader impact of the program. “Beyond offering an opportunity to study in one of the most advanced universities in the world, this Fellowship is also about equipping Africa’s future tech leaders with up-to-date skills while nurturing their talent, drive, and ambition to change their communities and the world. We are immensely proud of Terence and Ali and are confident they will make Nigeria proud,” he stated.
Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, further highlighted the significance of these scholarships for national development. He described them as crucial steps toward building the human capital necessary for Nigeria’s digital transformation. “Through high-calibre technology education like that which is offered through the Airtel Africa Fellowship, our hope is to contribute significantly to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by helping to train a large number of technical talents across the board,” Balsingh added.
The selection process, meticulously managed by Plaksha University, was highly competitive and rigorous. Candidates were evaluated based on academic merit, leadership potential, personal drive, and alignment with the university’s mission. From a diverse pool of applicants spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Tanzania, 21 candidates were initially shortlisted. Following two stages of intensive interviews, 13 individuals advanced to the final round, ultimately leading to the selection of the two Nigerian students.
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In addition to these fellowships, the Airtel Africa Foundation is set to announce 100 further scholarships for Nigerian undergraduates. This reinforces its unwavering commitment to empowering African youth across its core pillars: financial inclusion, education, environmental protection, and digital inclusion (F.E.E.D.). Through these comprehensive efforts, Airtel Africa Foundation continues to create vital opportunities where talent abounds but access remains limited.
