SmartHub Tech Scholarship

A fully funded path into tech — pay nothing if you land Full

7 weeks of live mentorship across 7 tracks. Apply free, sit a short aptitude test, and earn your tier — top applicants pay nothing at all.

Apply now — it's free

Choose your track

Seven 7-week foundations, each taught live by industry mentors. Pick the one that fits where you want to go.

Web Development

HTML, CSS, JavaScript and modern frameworks — build for the web.

Data Analysis

Spreadsheets to SQL to dashboards — turn data into decisions.

Data Science

Python, pandas, scikit-learn — ship a working ML model end-to-end.

AI Engineering

LLM APIs, prompting, retrieval-augmented apps, and agentic workflows.

DevOps Engineering

Linux, Docker, cloud deployment, and CI/CD pipelines you can actually run.

Cybersecurity

Security foundations, threat awareness, and hands-on defence.

Product Design

UX research, Figma, and a portfolio-worthy case study.

Pick your track and apply

Free to apply · tier is decided after the aptitude test.

Apply now

Who can apply

If you're a motivated undergraduate with a laptop and the will to learn, you're who we built this for.

Open to everyone

Undergraduates, graduates, career switchers and working professionals — anyone in Nigeria can apply.

A laptop

You'll be building real projects, so a working laptop is essential.

Internet access

Async theory runs Mon–Thu and live sessions are online, so a stable connection matters.

A schedule that fits

Built around your lectures — no weekday clashes.

  • Mon–Thu: async theory you work through on your own time.
  • Friday evening: live session with your mentor.
  • Saturday morning: live, hands-on practice.

Scholarship fees

Applying is free. A one-time commitment fee only applies once you're admitted — your aptitude, essay and referrals decide the tier.

Full scholarship

Top tier. The programme covers your commitment fee in full.

Partial scholarship

Strong applicants pay a reduced commitment fee.

Standard scholarship

Admitted with the smallest discount on the commitment fee.

Apply for free

The aptitude test decides your tier. Top scores get the full ride.

Apply now

How tiers are decided

Three inputs decide which tier you're awarded. Stronger performance across the three pushes you toward Full.

Aptitude exam

A short auto-graded test taken after you apply. Higher scores carry the most weight in the final award.

Essay & motivation

A short video (or essay) showing why you're a fit for the track you picked. Full-tier finalists also do a brief interview.

Verified referrals

Friends or peers who apply with your code. More qualified referrals tip you toward the higher tiers.

The exact cut-offs evolve cohort to cohort. The admissions team reviews each application and confirms a tier as part of the offer.

Apply and start the aptitude test

The aptitude test is the biggest lever — 60% of your final score.

Apply now

How it runs

1
Week 1

In-person launch at UNIPORT

Kick off your track with your cohort, meet instructors, and set up your environment.

2
Weeks 1–6

7 weeks of live + async learning

Async theory Monday–Thursday, then live sessions Friday evening and Saturday morning.

3
Week 7

Demo day at UNIPORT

Present your capstone project in person and earn your completion certificate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to apply?

Applying and taking the aptitude test is completely free. A fee only applies once you're admitted.

What are the fees if I'm admitted?

It depends on the tier you're awarded — Full, Partial or Standard. The Full tier is fully funded (no commitment fee); Partial and Standard carry a one-time commitment fee. Your aptitude score, motivation submission and referrals together decide your tier.

Which tracks can I choose?

Seven tracks: Web Development, Data Analysis, Data Science, AI Engineering, DevOps Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Product Design. You pick one track when you apply.

What does the selection process look like?

Three stages. Stage 1 — a short aptitude test you take from your account. Stage 2 — a short motivation submission (a 60-second video or 250-word essay) for applicants who pass the aptitude or hit the 3-qualified-referral milestone. Final — admit decisions and tier offers go out before training starts.

How long do I have to take the aptitude test?

You get up to 7 days from the day you apply, but never past the cohort's hard cap (set a couple of days before training begins). If you apply close to the application close date, your window will be shorter — apply earlier for breathing room.

Do referrals help my application?

Yes — referrals unlock concrete milestones. 3 qualified referrals guarantees you a Stage 2 spot regardless of aptitude score, 5 qualified boosts you to at least Partial scholarship, and 10 qualified locks in a Full scholarship. (A referral counts as 'qualified' once your friend applies and sits the aptitude test.) You can still be admitted with fewer or no referrals — they're a guaranteed-tier shortcut on top of the regular selection process.

When do live classes run?

Live sessions are held Friday evenings and Saturday mornings so they don't clash with weekday lectures. Theory you work through on your own time Monday to Thursday.

Do I need prior coding experience?

No. Each track is a genuine 7-week foundation designed to take motivated beginners to a solid, employable baseline.

What do I get at the end?

A completion certificate that also unlocks priority placement and a returning-scholar discount on our SIWES industrial-training programme later in your degree.

Ready to become a Tech Scholar?

Applications take a few minutes and cost nothing. Pick your track and start your journey today.

Apply now

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