When 17-year-old Amina from Kano logs onto her phone each evening, she’s not just scrolling—she’s learning how to manage medical records, respond to customer inquiries, and use AI tools that could one day power a business. She’s one of 2,000 Nigerians who’ve claimed a free scholarship from SchoolRegistry Academy, a new chance to build real job skills without spending a naira.
Across Nigeria, thousands of young people finish school each year with no clear next step. Many wait months—or years—before finding training or work. SchoolRegistry, best known as a free directory helping parents compare schools, is now helping students and job seekers take control of that waiting time. Their new scholarship program offers 2,000 completely free training spots in digital and career skills, worth over ₦373 million in total.
The scholarships split into two tracks: 1,000 in digital skills and 1,000 in career-focused training. The digital courses cover essentials like Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and practical AI tools—skills used in nearly every modern office. Each digital scholarship is worth ₦113,000. The career tracks go deeper, offering full training paths in high-demand fields. These include Virtual Assistant, Customer Service, Social Media Management, Home Care and Caregiving, and even Truck and Freight Dispatching. Each career scholarship is valued between ₦260,000 and ₦325,000.
Learners move at their own pace, get feedback from online coaches, and keep access to their courses for 12 months. They also receive free JAMB and WASSCE practice questions—helping students prepare for major exams while building job-ready skills. When they finish, they earn a certificate, at no cost.
The program prioritizes northern Nigeria, where access to digital training is often limited. Students from Sokoto, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and other northern states can join using just a phone or computer. Schools can even nominate students and teachers. Applicants as young as 15 can apply with parental consent.
"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."
To apply, Nigerians simply visit the SchoolRegistry Academy Scholarship Portal, choose a course, and fill out a two-minute form. Successful applicants gain access in batches starting October 14, 2026. To keep their full access, scholars must complete their first course within six weeks, share their certificate, and submit a short review.
This isn’t just about certificates—it’s about turning waiting time into momentum. For students like Amina, it’s proof that the next step doesn’t have to wait.