Fifteen young technology enthusiasts in Kwara State have undergone intensive training in software development and other digital skills under the Alveum and MALhub Tech Talent Scholarship Programme
The fully sponsored initiative, held in Ilorin, was designed to identify promising young talents, equip them with practical technology skills and expose them to opportunities within the digital economy
The beneficiaries, aged between nine and 20, received hands-on training in software development, problem-solving, project-based learning and modern technology workflows
The programme also enabled participants to apply their knowledge to practical challenges while gaining exposure to the processes and skills required to build careers in the technology sector
Speaking with journalists, Chief Operating Officer of Alveum, Abdul Ibiyeye, said the initiative was driven by the need to identify and nurture young talents from an early age
“We are excited to see what these young talents have achieved through the programme For us, this is more than a CSR initiative; it is an opportunity to invest in young people, discover potential and create pathways for them to gain meaningful experience in the technology industry,” he said.
Ibiyeye said Alveum remained committed to creating more opportunities for young people to transition from learning technology to gaining practical industry experience
The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Habeeb Salaudeen, also commended the participants for their commitment and progress during the training
“It was encouraging to see how much the participants were able to learn and how confidently they approached the practical sessions They have shown that with the right guidance, exposure and opportunities, young people can develop the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the technology ecosystem,” Salaudeen said.
He disclosed that Alveum was exploring opportunities to absorb some of the outstanding participants into the organisation for internships and real-life work exposure
“The partnership is designed to extend beyond the classroom We are exploring opportunities to give some of the outstanding participants internship placements and real-life work exposure,” he said.
Salaudeen added that such opportunities would enable the beneficiaries to work in a professional technology environment, participate in practical projects and gain an understanding of what it takes to build careers in the industry
Also speaking, Co-founder of MALhub, Kamaldeen Kehinde, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the gap between technology education and access to practical opportunities
“Young people need more than access to training They need opportunities to practise, build, meet professionals and see what is possible for them. This partnership demonstrates what can happen when corporate commitment meets local ecosystem expertise,” Kehinde said.
He said the success of such programmes should not be measured solely by what participants learn in the classroom but also by the projects they build, problems they solve and opportunities they pursue afterwards
“We want these young people to see technology as more than a subject they study; we want them to see it as a tool through which they can create solutions, businesses and meaningful careers,” he said
Kehinde stressed the need to sustain talent development beyond the training period through mentorship, continued practice, project development and connections with professionals and other opportunities within the technology ecosystem
“If we can consistently build that pipeline, we will not only be producing skilled young people in Kwara, but contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s wider technology ecosystem,” he said
According to him, the partnership also highlighted the importance of collaboration between technology companies and local ecosystem organisations in developing sustainable talent pipelines
He called for continued investment in early-stage technology education, mentorship and practical exposure to enable more young Nigerians to acquire globally relevant skills and take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy
The participants described the scholarship programme as the beginning of a longer journey from learning technology to building with it, working with it and potentially pursuing careers in the sector