The Airtel-3MTT NextGen Fellowship remains open with no official closing date announced. This is a specialised track sitting inside Nigeria’s broader 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, run through the National Information Technology Development Agency in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, and powered specifically by the Airtel Africa Foundation. The learning delivery itself is similarly flexible: some participants train through a hybrid model combining online study with in-person sessions at ALC centres, others work through peer-led team learning, and a fully virtual, 100% online track exists for those who can’t attend any physical location. Because Airtel’s funding underwrites the programme, and NITDA administers it as a federal digital economy initiative, this carries genuine institutional backing rather than being a marketing-driven training product.
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What separates NextGen from the general 3MTT pathway is its sharper focus on mentorship, project-based learning, and direct career transition support — externships and job placement guidance sit at the centre of the model, not as an afterthought once training ends. This article shows exactly who qualifies, how the different learning tracks actually work, and what a strong application needs to include.
NextGen Fellowship Overview
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Airtel–3MTT NextGen Fellowship |
| Host Country ⇒ | Nigeria |
| Study Level ⇒ | Training | Fellowships |
| Benefits ⇒ | Free digital skills training, mentorship, project experience, externship and job support, certificates and badges |
| Funded By ⇒ | Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nigeria (Nigerian applicants only) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Not specified. The portal remains open, but capacity-based closure is possible at any time, so early application is strongly advised |
What You Benefit
Because NextGen sits at the more intensive end of the 3MTT ecosystem, the support extends well past a standard online course.
- Free digital skills training: covering software development, UI/UX design, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, product management, and artificial intelligence — a genuinely broad set of tracks rather than a single narrow curriculum
- Mentorship: direct access to experts drawn from Airtel, 3MTT, and partner organisations throughout the programme, not limited to an initial onboarding session
- Project-based learning: hackathons and innovation challenges built into the core structure, meaning participants build a demonstrable portfolio rather than simply completing coursework
- Externship and job placement support: structured guidance connecting participants to real career opportunities as they progress, positioned as a core outcome of the programme rather than a bonus
- Certification: certificates and digital badges awarded on completion, useful for CVs and professional profiles alike
- National tech community access: ongoing connection to peers, mentors, and industry professionals across Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, extending well beyond the training period itself
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Who Can Apply for the NextGen Fellowship
- You must be a young Nigerian — the programme doesn’t publish a strict age cutoff, but is aimed at emerging and early-career tech talent
- You need genuine interest in at least one of the digital skill areas offered, rather than applying speculatively without a clear direction
- You must be willing to participate fully in projects, hackathons, and group-based work, since these form the core of how skills are actually assessed and developed
- You need to be ready to commit to the entire programme arc — from initial learning through to career support — rather than treating it as a short course you can drop out of partway through
- You should be comfortable working collaboratively in teams and engaging in competitive innovation challenges as part of the learning process
- The programme is genuinely open to job seekers and to people transitioning into tech from unrelated careers, not exclusively fresh graduates or existing tech professionals
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Things To Prepare To Apply
The exact documents you’ll need depend on which of the three application paths you’re pursuing, so confirm the correct track before assembling your materials.
- Fellow track: standard personal and academic information as required by the application portal
- Applied Learning Cluster (ALC) track: information specific to cluster-based, in-person or hybrid learning participation
- Dev in Government track: information specific to this government-technology-focused pathway
Because requirements differ by track, review the official portal’s specific guidance for your chosen path before starting your application rather than assuming all three paths ask for the same materials.
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NextGen Fellowship Application Process – Step by Step
- Visit the official NextGen Fellowship application portal using the buttin below
- Create an account and complete your personal information
- Complete the online skills assessment, which helps determine your current skill level
- Wait for the selection stage — only top-performing applicants move into a cohort
- If selected, join your assigned learning model, whether hybrid, peer-led, or fully virtual
- Participate fully in projects, practical work, hackathons, and innovation challenges throughout the programme
- Take advantage of externship and job placement support as you progress
- Complete your training to earn your certificates and digital badges
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Application Deadline
Not specified.
The portal remains open, but capacity-based closure is possible at any time, so early application is strongly advised
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a deadline for the NextGen Fellowship application?
No official deadline has been announced. However, opportunities without a fixed closing date can close once capacity is reached, so applying early is genuinely advisable rather than just standard advice.
Do I need existing tech experience to apply?
No. The programme is open to job seekers and people transitioning into tech from unrelated careers, not just candidates with existing technical backgrounds.
What’s the difference between the Fellow, ALC, and Dev in Government tracks?
Each represents a different application path with different supporting document requirements — Fellow is the standard individual track, ALC involves cluster-based learning, and Dev in Government is specifically focused on government-technology roles. Review the official portal to confirm which fits your situation.
Is the training genuinely free?
Yes. The programme is fully funded through Airtel’s ₦1 billion digital inclusion commitment, so selected participants don’t pay for training.
Can I apply if I’m currently employed in a non-tech role?
Yes. The programme is explicitly open to current job seekers as well as those transitioning into tech from other careers entirely.
Disclaimer: All programme details, benefits, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official and publicly available sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official NextGen Fellowship portal before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with NITDA, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, or Airtel Nigeria.
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