SQI College of ICT officially launched the 2026 Annual Scholarship Programme on 13 July 2026, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to quality technology education for passionate and aspiring young Nigerians.
The official launch took place during the institution’s monthly MindTalk event, a special platform designed to help participants develop strong behavioural and interpersonal skills alongside technical competence, equipping them to excel anywhere in the world.
Announcing the scholarship, the Founder of SQI College of ICT, Adeyemi C. Aderinto, said the world is experiencing a defining technological shift driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), noting that every generation is shaped by a force that transforms how people live, learn, and work.
According to him, AI has become that defining force for this generation. He explained that individuals and organisations that embrace emerging technologies early will gain a significant competitive advantage, while those who fail to adapt risk being left behind as industries continue to evolve.
The founder said the rise of Artificial Intelligence is creating entirely new industries, careers, and economic opportunities, making it imperative for educational institutions to prepare students for the realities of a rapidly changing digital economy.
He urged young Nigerians, businesses, and educational institutions to see AI not as a threat but as a tool for innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth.
Speaking further on the event’s theme, “AI vs AI,” he explained that success in the AI era would depend on combining Artificial Intelligence with what he described as Authentic Intelligence—the uniquely human qualities that machines cannot replicate.
“The winning teams, companies, and professionals will be those who are in charge of AI. They will know when AI is wrong, understand its limitations, work effectively with it, and use it to become better software developers, product designers, cybersecurity experts, data analysts, entrepreneurs, and innovators. AI should enhance human potential, not replace it.”
Also speaking at the event, the Academic Director of SQI College of ICT, Mr. Oluwaseyi Odekomaya, reflected on the impact of the institution’s annual scholarship programme since its inception in 2011.
Presenting a statistical report, he highlighted how the scholarship has opened doors of opportunity for thousands of young Nigerians who might otherwise have been unable to access quality technology education.
According to him, beneficiaries of the scholarship programme have gone on to build successful careers in software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, product design, digital marketing, and other emerging technology fields, while many others have gone on to establish successful technology startups.
Mr. Odekomaya encouraged eligible young Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity by registering for the scholarship.
SQI scholarship is open to individuals within Africa only between the ages of 13 and 35 who are passionate about building careers in technology and innovation.
Interested applicants are required to register through the SQI College of ICT Scholarship Portal at sqi.edu.ng/scholarship. After completing the online registration, applicants can immediately take the scholarship test and then proceed to start their tech journey.
The 2026 Annual Scholarship Programme offers deserving applicants the opportunity to study professional ICT courses at SQI College of ICT through tuition scholarships of up to 100 per cent, depending on their performance in the scholarship test.
SQI College of ICT encouraged eligible applicants to register early to avoid missing out on the opportunity, noting that applications will remain open for only a limited period. The institution described the scholarship as more than financial assistance; it is a strategic investment in developing the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and digital leaders.
