A Nigerian university student, Joshua Umoh, has highlighted how financial assistance and digital skills training are helping young people navigate higher education and prepare for future career opportunities.
Umoh, a student of Nile University, Abuja, received a ₦300,000 scholarship from MTN after participating in the MTN Skills Academy programme, following his strong performance in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
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He shared his experience at the Social Media Fest (SMFest) Abuja, held at the Family Worship Centre, Wuye, Abuja, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
According to Umoh, the scholarship helped ease some of the financial demands associated with university education, while the digital training provided an opportunity to acquire practical skills beyond the classroom.
He explained that his decision to enrol in the MTN Skills Academy was driven not only by the prospect of financial support but also by his desire to develop skills that would enhance his academic experience and future career prospects.
“I was motivated to enrol in the Skills Academy because I also wanted to gain something beyond the financial support. I wanted to learn practical digital skills, especially in areas related to technology, that could help me in school and prepare me for future opportunities,” he said.
Through the programme, Umoh received training in digital marketing and e-commerce, areas he chose because of his interest in how businesses leverage technology to reach customers, promote products and expand their operations.
He said the online learning format gave him the flexibility to study at his own pace, although managing the coursework alongside other responsibilities required discipline and effective time management.
.To cope with the demands, he broke the lessons into smaller sections and established achievable learning targets to ensure steady progress.
Reflecting on the experience, Umoh said the programme reinforced the importance of acquiring practical skills alongside academic qualifications.
“The biggest lesson I learned was the importance of developing skills outside of school. The programme made me realise that good grades are important, but practical skills are also very valuable,” he said.
He added that the training had strengthened his interest in technology and encouraged him to embrace continuous learning as part of his personal and professional development.
The experience aligns with the youth development objectives of the MTN Foundation, which supports educational access, digital inclusion and skills development for young Nigerians.
The MTN Skills Academy provides free online learning resources, digital training and career guidance designed to equip young people with relevant competencies for employment and entrepreneurship.
The Foundation also operates scholarship schemes and other skills-development initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Umoh’s experience illustrates how combining financial support with digital education can help students address immediate academic needs while preparing for the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.
While the scholarship provided financial relief at a critical stage of his education, the Skills Academy offered additional knowledge and practical competencies that he believes will remain valuable beyond graduation.
He encouraged other young Nigerians to take advantage of similar educational and skills-development opportunities, noting that their benefits extend beyond financial assistance.
For Umoh, the experience underscores the importance of combining academic excellence with practical knowledge, discipline and a willingness to learn in preparation for future professional challenges.
