🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Airtel Africa Foundation awards N50 million in scholarships to Nigerian students
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has disbursed N50 million in first-year funding to 100 Nigerian students as part of its Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship Programme. This initiative aims to enhance digital skills and educational access in Nigeria, targeting high-performing but financially disadvantaged 100-level students in public universities studying technology-related courses. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and learning tools, including laptop computers. Each of the 100 beneficiaries received an average of N500,000, with the total disbursement completed by May 29, 2026. Funding will continue throughout the students’ four-to-five-year academic programs. The beneficiaries, known as Airtel Fellows, were selected through an independent process from accredited public universities across Nigeria and are studying disciplines such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence. Participating institutions include the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Tai Solarin University of Education. Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, stated that the program aims to build a pipeline of skilled innovators for Africa’s digital economy. Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, emphasized the company’s dedication to
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has reached a significant milestone, disbursing N1 billion in a single day through its FirstAdvance salary-backed digital loan product. This achievement highlights a growing reliance on automated, short-term credit solutions by consumers to manage immediate financial needs without traditional collateral. According to Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, eBusiness and Retail Products at FirstBank, this milestone reflects the strength of the bank's digital capabilities and commitment to providing quick and convenient credit access. The bank previously celebrated N1 trillion in cumulative digital loan disbursements in 2025, driven by data-backed credit scoring models. FirstBank utilizes various electronic channels, including its USSD platform, FirstMobile app, LitApp, and FirstMonie Agent network, to enable salary earners to access short-term credit in under a minute without physical paperwork. This surge in automated lending is attributed to a macroeconomic environment where instant micro-credit helps consumers manage short-term billing cycles and emergencies. FirstBank also offers alternative digital credit products like FirstCredit for non-salaried individuals and AgentCredit for institutional operators within its agency banking arm, aiming to provide immediate working capital and bridge liquidity constraints in underserved communities.
The Katsina State High Court 3 has sentenced Hauwa'u Mukhtar to death by hanging after finding her guilty of conspiracy, aiding, and abetting terrorism. This marks the second death sentence secured by the Department of State Services for terrorism-related cases in June. Mukhtar was arrested by DSS operatives on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State. During interrogation, she confessed to dealing with several bandit leaders, having been connected to them by a new boyfriend after her divorce. The DSS arraigned Mukhtar on a two-count charge before Justice A. B. Bawale, who, after reviewing evidence and testimonies, found her guilty and sentenced her in accordance with the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021. This conviction is seen as a significant achievement for the DSS in intercepting criminal actors and pursuing legal action.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria CIPM has cautioned that the rapid and unregulated integration of artificial intelligence AI across workplaces, academia, and government could lead to ethical, social, and governance challenges if not properly managed. This warning was issued during CIPM's third International Academic Conference, held in partnership with the University of Lagos. Mallam Ahmed Gobir, CIPM President and Chairman of Governing Council, emphasized that discussions should focus on responsible AI deployment, stressing that innovation without ethics and technology without accountability can erode trust. He stated that organizational success still relies on people, not solely on technology. Keynote speaker Prof. Sunday Adebisi described AI as "the world’s new infrastructure" but warned that Africa risks falling behind due to weak digital infrastructure, ICT skills gaps, regulatory uncertainty, and unequal access to technology, which could worsen unemployment and inequality. Mr. Henry Onukuba, another keynote speaker, highlighted the challenge of integrating AI responsibly without compromising fairness, accountability, and public trust. He noted AI's potential to democratize education and address faculty shortages. Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, conference chairman, reiterated that AI presents both opportunities for productivity and innovation, and risks such as job displacement, privacy concerns, inequality, and governance issues, requiring coordinated