SchoolRegistry, a free online directory of Nigerian schools, has opened 2,000 free scholarship places on its learning arm, SchoolRegistry Academy. At regular course prices the places are worth more than ₦373 million.
The scholarships are open to people in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
SchoolRegistry said that it wanted secondary school leavers, students, job seekers and teachers to apply, and that the courses can be taken on a phone or a computer, so a learner in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt or Ibadan can study from home.
There are two kinds of place, 1,000 of each.
The first 1,000 are digital skills scholarships, each worth N113,000. They cover the full set of self-paced short courses: Computer Basics, four levels of Microsoft Excel, two levels of Word, PowerPoint, and three levels of practical AI tools.
The other 1,000 are career track scholarships, each worth between N260,000 and N325,000. They give free, self-paced places on ten entry-level career tracks: Virtual Assistant, Virtual Medical Administrative Support, Home Care and Caregiving, Customer Service and Call Centre, Social Media Management, Lead Generation and Appointment Setting, Tier-1 IT and Technical Support, Virtual Bookkeeping, Recruiting and HR Coordinator, and Truck and Freight Dispatcher. Career track scholars get coach feedback online and 12 months of access.
Every scholar also gets free practice questions and mock exams for JAMB and WASSCE, and every course ends with a certificate.
“Thousands of young Nigerians spend the months after secondary school, or after graduation, waiting for the next step,” said Ayoola Jegede, founder of SchoolRegistry.
“Those months can build skills that matter at work. Someone who can use Excel, run a customer service queue or manage a business’s social media starts ahead. We want 2,000 young people and teachers to have that head start this year, at no cost,” Jegede said.
SchoolRegistry also said that scholars would not be asked to pay for anything, including course materials, practice exams and certificates. The organisation also says it does not promise anyone a job. It describes the courses as practical training with a clear finish line.
Schools can nominate their own students and teachers for places. Applicants aged 15 to 17 must apply with the consent of a parent or guardian.
Scholars are asked to finish their first course or first module within six weeks, share their certificate and leave a short review. Those who do keep their full free access. SchoolRegistry says the condition is meant to keep places moving to people who will use them.
Jegede further said explained that applications were free.
“Applicants should go to schoolregistry.ng/academy/scholarships, choose either the short courses or one career track, and fill in the form, which takes about two minutes. Accepted scholars receive access in batches,” Jegede said.
