Fifteen young technology enthusiasts in Kwara State have undergone intensive training in software development and other digital skills under a partnership between Alveum and MALhub.

The initiative, known as the Alveum × MALhub Tech Talent Scholarship Programme, was designed to identify promising young talents, equip them with practical technology skills and expose them to opportunities in the digital economy.

The beneficiaries, aged between nine and 20, participated in the fully sponsored programme in Ilorin, where they received hands-on training in software development, problem-solving, project-based learning and modern technology workflows.

Speaking with journalists, the 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 added that Alveum remained committed to creating more opportunities for young people to progress from learning technology to gaining practical industry experience.

Also speaking, the Chief Technology Officer of Alveum, Habeeb Salaudeen, commended the participants for their commitment and progress throughout the programme.

He said the participants had demonstrated that young people could acquire relevant technology skills when provided with the right guidance, exposure and opportunities.

Salaudeen disclosed that Alveum was exploring opportunities to offer some of the outstanding participants internship placements and real-life work experience.

"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.

"This will allow them to learn within a professional technology environment, work on practical projects and gain an understanding of what it takes to build a career in the industry," he said.

Co-founder of MALhub, Kamaldeen Kehinde, said the initiative was aimed at bridging the gap between technology education and access to real-world 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," he said.

Kehinde said the success of the programme would be measured not only by what the participants learnt in the classroom but also by their ability to develop projects, solve problems and pursue opportunities in the technology sector.

He added that the organisers were particularly interested in ensuring that talent development continued beyond the training through mentorship, project development and connections with professionals in the industry.

"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," Kehinde said.

He said continued investment in early-stage technology education, mentorship and practical exposure would help more young Nigerians acquire globally relevant skills and position themselves for opportunities in the digital economy.

The participants described the programme as the beginning of a longer journey from learning technology to developing practical solutions and potentially pursuing careers in the sector.