More than 8,000 Nigerian youths have taken part in the 18th edition of the Aptech Career Quest, while over 200 young people aspiring to build careers in technology and the creative industry have received scholarships valued at more than N701 million.
The programme, organised by Aptech Nigeria in partnership with Middlesex University London, is aimed at helping young Nigerians discover opportunities in technology, creative fields and international education.
The 2026 edition, held from August 7 to 21, featured physical events in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan and Abeokuta, alongside two virtual sessions that were open to participants across the country.
Participants were exposed to career counselling, hands-on learning, project presentations, scholarship opportunities and information on various routes to international education.
A major feature of this year’s programme was the collaboration between Aptech and Middlesex University London through the Credit Transfer Facility (CTF). The arrangement allows qualified students to move from selected Aptech programmes into undergraduate degree courses at the UK university, subject to meeting the required conditions.
Students studying programmes such as the Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (ADSE AI), as well as the Advanced Diploma in Multimedia and Animation (ADIM), may progress to selected degree programmes, including BSc Computer Networks, BSc Information Technology and Business Information Systems, BA Animation and BA Animation & Games.
Executive Vice President, International Business, Aptech Limited, Kallol Mukherjee, said the high level of participation showed that more Nigerian youths were becoming interested in building careers in the digital economy.
Mukherjee said Aptech had spent the past 26 years equipping students with practical and industry-focused skills that could prepare them for opportunities both within and outside Nigeria.
He added that the partnership with Middlesex University was creating more international opportunities for students by giving them access to recognised degree pathways.
According to him, Career Quest would remain focused on developing future-ready young professionals who can contribute to Nigeria’s growing technology sector while also competing effectively in the global job market.
Aptech has been operating in Nigeria for 26 years and currently runs 72 centres across the country. Its training programmes cover areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software development, cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, Internet of Things, digital marketing, UI/UX, animation and 3D visualisation.
The organisation also provides fast-track technology courses and specialised programmes designed for teenagers.
The participation of more than 8,000 young Nigerians points to the increasing interest in technology-related careers. However, it also draws attention to the need to turn that enthusiasm into practical skills that can translate into real employment opportunities.
With demand continuing to grow for professionals in fields such as artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, data science and cloud computing, the conversation is gradually moving beyond access to digital education.
Increasingly, young people need industry-relevant skills, recognised qualifications and practical experience to compete effectively in the job market.
Career Quest is one of the initiatives seeking to close that gap by bringing together career guidance, technical training, scholarships and international education opportunities for Nigerians looking to establish themselves in the digital economy.
