The scholarship initiative, which was first announced by Africa’s foremost technology entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, is designed to empower indigent but exceptionally gifted Nigerian students to study Computer Science and other technology-related disciplines in federal and state universities, as well as polytechnics, across the country.

Interested applicants can now visit Konga.com and click on the “1000 Tech Scholarship” banner, where all relevant information and application guidelines are available.

The initiative was inspired by Ekeh’s decision to mark his 70th birthday in an unconventional yet impactful manner. Rather than host an elaborate celebration, the serial digital entrepreneur and Forbes-recognised tech icon chose to invest directly in Nigeria’s future as a way of giving back to the corporate institutions and Nigerians who supported and trusted his business startup from its early stages and have continued to patronise his businesses over the years.

For decades, Ekeh, a recognised tech disruptor and a notably private personality, has remained a major force in the continent’s digital ecosystem.

He pioneered indigenous computer manufacturing through Zinox Technologies, ICT Solutions through Task Systems, drove technology distribution through TD Africa, and transforming e-commerce with Konga. Through his businesses and philanthropic efforts, more than 6,700 Nigerians have reportedly benefited from technology training and empowerment initiatives championed by him over the years.

According to stakeholders behind the programme, the scholarship initiative goes beyond financial support and represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future. Beneficiaries will enjoy full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipends.

In addition, they will undergo intensive holiday training focused on strategic self-development and digital skills designed to prepare them for global opportunities upon graduation.

Globally, the impact of technology on economic growth has become undeniable. According to reports by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, digital economies contribute more than 15% of global GDP, while countries that invest heavily in digital education and technology infrastructure consistently record higher employment rates, stronger innovation ecosystems, and improved economic competitiveness.

In Africa, the technology sector is projected to contribute over $1.5 trillion to the continent’s economy by 2030, with millions of digital jobs expected to emerge within the decade.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, stands at the centre of this opportunity. However, experts have consistently stressed that the country’s ability to compete globally will depend significantly on how quickly it develops a new generation of highly skilled technology professionals.

It is this critical gap the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation hopes to bridge.

Beyond tuition support, beneficiaries will gain access to mentorship, industry exposure, and practical guidance from distinguished members of the Nigeria Computer Society and other technology professionals. The initiative is structured to equip students with market-relevant skills, hands-on experience, and professional networks capable of positioning them for success in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The scholarship programme also reflects a broader vision shared by its supporting partners (TD Africa, Konga, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems) all of whom have played significant roles in shaping Africa’s ICT landscape over the years.

Industry observers believe the initiative could become one of the most impactful private-sector-driven educational interventions in Nigeria’s technology sector, particularly at a time when the country is aggressively pursuing digital transformation across education, governance, business, and public services.

As applications officially commence, organisers have assured prospective candidates that the selection process will remain transparent, merit-driven, and inclusive, with equal opportunities for qualified applicants from across Nigeria.

For easy access to the scholarship portal, application details, and participation guidelines, interested students are encouraged to visit Konga.com and click on the “1000 Tech Scholarship” banner.

Like many Nigerians, I have learned to take such a political promise with a grain of salt. But in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, a remarkable transformation is taking place.

During a recent visit to Owerri for the 4th Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit organized by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), I had the rare opportunity to witness firsthand the executive governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma’s, unwavering commitment to positioning Imo as Nigeria’s premier digital economy.

Far from merely paying lip service to innovation, the governor was actively engaging with young innovators, demonstrating his administration’s genuine dedication to digitalizing Imo State.

Governor Hope Uzodimma didn’t just deliver a speech at the NCS event; he laid out a blueprint. His administration’s vision is clear: to make Imo State a global player in AI, robotics, and digital innovation. And he is not waiting.

At the centre of Governor Uzodimma’s digital revolution stands the Imo Digital City — a groundbreaking initiative poised to catapult the state onto the global technology stage.

This ambitious project is not just another government white elephant; it’s already taking shape as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Imo Digital City features cutting-edge facilities, including high-tech classrooms, innovation hubs, and co-working spaces equipped with state-of-the-art tech tools.

These resources are strategically designed to cultivate the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and position Imo as a formidable player in the global digital economy.

While his administration is doing its part, he understands the importance of partnership with the private sector.

In March 2025, the governor signed a landmark agreement with the US Market Access Centre (US-MAC) to fully realize the potential of the Imo Digital City.

This collaboration aims to replicate the success of Silicon Valley by fostering local tech talent, accelerating startup growth, and attracting global investment.

Beyond US-Mac, the administration has fostered partnerships with global tech giants including Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Cisco, Konga Group, and the European Union Digital SME Alliance.

These strategic alliances are structured to provide training, infrastructure, and funding that will establish Imo as Nigeria’s premier technology hub.

The governor’s digital initiatives extend beyond infrastructure to human capital development. The Skill-Up Imo Programme has already trained and empowered 40,000 youths, many of whom are now gainfully employed.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to create over 300,000 jobs through various digital economy programs.

What sets this initiative apart is its focus on entrepreneurship. As Governor Uzodimma stated during his address at the NCS summit, “We don’t just want to create jobs; we want to create those who will create jobs.” This philosophy underscores his administration’s forward-thinking approach to governance and economic development.

He even added that his administration is rolling out fibre optic infrastructure across all 27 Local Government Areas to bridge the digital divide.

Additionally, the soon-to-be-launched “My Imo App” will democratize access to government services, while an automated Land Information System will ensure efficiency and transparency in land administration.

Vision without execution is a hallucination. Fortunately, Governor Uzodinma has assembled a dynamic team to ensure these projects do not remain on paper.

Leading the charge is Dr. Chimezie Amadi, the honourableCommissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, whose expertise and enthusiasm have been instrumental in fast-tracking these initiatives.

While many Nigerian leaders pay lip service to youth empowerment and tech innovation, Governor Hope Uzodimma is putting Imo on the map as a model for digital governance.

If he maintains this momentum, Imo won’t just be the pride of the South-East, it will be Nigeria’s business and technology hub.

*Chimezie Orisakwe is a Corporate and Marketing Communications expert

Speaking at the 6th Edition of Nigeria sales conference organized by George Emetuche, the CEO of the Selling Champion Ltd, held at the Welcome Centre Hotel Lagos, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh spoke on the topic “The Nigeria eCommerce and Retail Business: challenges and prospects.”

In his address, Prince Ekeh outlined key challenges hampering the growth of the ecommerce sector in Nigeria.

He pointed to the overdependence on imported goods, unstable exchange rates, logistical inefficiencies, corruption, and rising insecurity as significant obstacles.

Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about the future of eCommerce in Nigeria and Africa.

Prince Ekeh noted that the country’s youthful population—averaging 17 years of age—is tech-savvy and eager to embrace digital solutions, a factor he believes will drive growth and innovation in the sector.

Prince Ekeh also called on the government to create a level playing ground for stakeholders, emphasizing the need for policies that support local businesses and strengthen the eCommerce ecosystem.

The conference concluded with Prince Nnamdi Ekeh receiving an award of honour in recognition of his significant contributions to the eCommerce industry in Nigeria.

The SkillUpImo Project is rooted in the First Pillar of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026, a humanitarian training and empowerment programme aimed at  training 300,000 Imo youths and equipping them with fourth industrial revolution (4IR) skill  set within the next three years.

ALSO READ: Imo State Ignites Youths’ Digital Skills with SkillUpImo Challenge

Through the programme, the youths in the State are being trained by combining hard technical skills with soft employability skills to build groom them as well-rounded professionals who can ply their trade at any level in the local and global digital economy.

According to a press statement made available to TechEconomy and signed by Sandra Opara, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Digital Economy & e-Government, Imo State, the Training spectrum thus covers entry and advanced-level digital skills such as computer appreciation, device repairs and maintenance, content creation, web design and development, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, among others.

Meanwhile, the State’s objective to also connect 60 per cent of the graduands to job opportunities has started yielding fruits almost spontaneously, as two technology companies under the Konga and Zinox Group came to the State to conduct interviews and employ graduands of the first cohort of the SkillupImo project.

Leading the technology companies during the interview conducted for the graduands were Mr. Gideon Ayogu, who is the Group Head, Marketing and Communications, Konga and Zinox Group and Judith Ugwu, Head, People Engagement and Administration, Konga at the instance of the Hon. Commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi.

Zinox Technologies and Konga Group, owned by one of Imo’s Illustrious sons, Leo Stan Ekeh, has, from inception, supported the Imo digital initiative and has, again, made good his promise by granting employment opportunities to Imolites under the SkillupImo Project .

Speaking after the interview session for the trainees, the Commissioner, who is driver of the digital empowerment initiative, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Zinox Technologies and Konga Group for their collaboration in seeing it that the high level of youth unemployment is drastically reduced to the barest minimum and at the same time addressing issues of insecurity.

“In view of the truth that Imolites are gaining market traction and being equipped with 4.0 industry revolution skill set, I therefore, call for feedback and continued private sector partnerships in order to adequately groom industry ready skill set to offer value upon employment,” Dr. Amadi said.

Earlier in his speech, Ayogu registered his delight and that of his technology group at the crop of digital-savyy graduands the SkillUpImo Project had been able to churn out within a few weeks.

Ugwu, who was visibly impressed by the products of the SkillUpImo Project, also amplified the voice of his colleague, Ayogu, as she commended the Governor Uzodimma, whom she described as “Digital Governor of Nigeria” in his efforts at transforming the digital economy of the State and appreciated the Hon. Commissioner for his commitment to driving the digital empowerment process.

Vacancy positions for which the graduands were for, in this first cohort, included digital marketing, phone repairing, programming, amongst others.

The two lucky winners are Mr. Olanrewaju Ogunkunle who hails from Oyo State and Ms. Sharifa Musa, a native of Kano State.

The two winners, both of whom admitted to being loyal and regular customers of Konga, were selected randomly from shoppers participating in the current edition of the Konga Jara promotion which commenced on Tuesday December 13, 2022 and will run through Tuesday January 31, 2023. An annual festive season sale, Konga Jara offers massive deals, mouthwatering discounts and huge savings for all categories of shoppers but with a difference this time round, with 12 lucky shoppers set to enjoy an all-expense paid weekend mentorship programme with Ekeh.

They join the first batch of winners – Mrs. Molayo Jebutu and Mr. Joshua Emmanuel – both of whom were earlier unveiled last week among the lucky shoppers to enjoy a host of exciting initiatives lined up for the exclusive mentorship programme. These include funded fares to the location of the retreat, hotel accommodation, feeding and cost of return trip all funded by Konga Kares.

In addition, the lucky beneficiaries will be exposed to healthy living tips, a finishing school, gym/aerobic sessions, deeper insights on the pitfalls confronting contemporary businesses, the new avenues to create sustainable wealth, how to navigate the prevailing tough business climate, as well as direct, one-on-one feedback sessions with Mr. Ekeh.

Participants are also expected to dine with Mr. Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon, in addition to engaging him on his record-breaking entrepreneurial journey.

Intending winners are currently being picked from customers who shopped on any of Konga’s various platforms, including online –  www.konga.com and offline in any Konga retail store nationwide or via Konga Bulk, as well as those who purchased flight tickets on Konga Travel or carried out transactions on KongaPay between December 1, 2022 till the end of January 31, 2023. Although the selection is being done randomly, shoppers who have a higher frequency or volume of purchases stand a better chance of being selected for the much-anticipated mentorship programme.

Eight more slots are up for grabs as the countdown to the end of the Konga Jara promotion draws nearer.

Tagged Knowledge Weekend, the free mentorship programme with the Zinox Chairman will bring a fitting climax to the Konga Jara fiesta sale which combines the Christmas season deals and New Year bonus sale, offering extra savings on items and best prices unmatched anywhere else in Nigeria for all categories of customers, including bulk buyers.

The Konga Jara mentorship programme, an initiative of Konga Kares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Konga Group, is part of efforts to empower budding entrepreneurs with the right business success tips and strategies to create new wealth in the 21st Century.

Names of winners will be announced every Monday, with final list of winners to be published on the Konga website and on other major news media channels on February 6, 2023.

The project, a humanitarian initiative will be executed under the auspices of Konga Kares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Konga Group, through which it has identified with and empowered critical segments of the population in need of a helping hand.

Through this initiative, Konga Kares and Med-Direct Africa are hopeful of crashing the cost of accessing quality medicare for millions of Nigerians by a minimum of 10% irrespective of their location nationwide, especially those on managed health conditions and reliant on routine prescription drugs and other medications at this challenging period globally.

Mr. Gideon Ayogu, Head of Corporate Communications for the Group, disclosed that the mandate is to reduce the cost of quality drugs by a minimum of 10% off its current retail prices plus free deliveries to patients nationwide.

Also, he stated that interested and public-spirited Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora can seize this opportunity to purchase quality drugs and have same delivered at no cost to friends, families, the less privileged and communities of their choice across Nigeria.

‘‘We plan to extend additional incentives to Nigerian civil servants: retired and current, military and paramilitary service men, women and their families, lecturers in institutions of higher learning, civil servants, teachers and those who are above 60 years of age so that they can get genuine drugs at affordable prices delivered on time. We plan to save a minimum of three million Nigerians huge cost on quality drugs by the close of year 2023.

‘‘These include a variety of prescription drugs for diabetics, high blood pressure patients, cholesterol and asthmatics, among others. Also available are nutraceuticals as well as an array of high-performing supplements for people who wish to enhance their health, lifestyle and beauty goals. For prescription drugs, shoppers can use the live chat feature to interact with experienced pharmacists and upload their prescriptions via same channel for verification before supplies are made. For those on daily prescription drugs, we have deployed appropriate technologies and logistics to make sure their drugs are replenished one week before they run out of their supplies,’’ he affirmed.

The drugs are available for purchase on Med-Direct Africa’s e-Pharmacy portal: here or on Konga.com.

Also commenting on the partnership, Ifeanyi Ogbolu, Head of Retail Operations, Med-Direct Africa, expressed delight with the impact the deal with Konga Kares would have on improving the health and well-being of Nigerians. In addition, he revealed that the partnership would equally benefit local and international donor agencies who wish to leverage this initiative to ensure free deliveries of medical supplies to the last mile for needy or less privileged Nigerians.

‘‘Swift and cost-effective access to genuine drugs and other routine medications is one of the obstacles to quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Through this partnership with Konga Kares, Nigerians can now enjoy free delivery of quality prescription drugs, supplements, lifestyle products and other medications to their doorsteps nationwide.

‘‘We are delighted with this landmark development. It is in line with our mission of reducing the cost burden of drugs for Nigerians, while also providing quick access to these medications,’’ he enthused.

Continuing, he stated: ‘‘Donor Agencies – local and international – can also take advantage of this partnership to deliver drugs and other medical supplies in bulk to needy or beneficiary communities or to target groups and other users in record time and free of charge, wherever they may be in Nigeria. For enquiries, you can reach out to us via WhatsApp on +234 907 729 9649 or through the short link here.

Konga Kares, a CSR arm of the Konga Group, has been in the forefront of supporting the needy and other identified target beneficiaries in Nigeria. It added exceptional value to the nation during the COVID-19 regime by supplying quality food and drugs to thousands of Nigerian families free of charge. It is also known to discount prices for essential products to families during the Christian and Moslem fasting and festive periods.