Mr Eazi to sponsor Nigerian software engineering students

The partnership will make Mr Eazi a guarantor for the course-related expenses incurred by the candidates. 

“I’ve always been passionate about helping young people and pushing them to be a best version of themselves,” Mr Eazi said. “For some of them, their talents naturally align with software engineering. I am happy to support this initiative in the hopes that they can support themselves and their families.”

Founded in 2018 by tech entrepreneur Chika Nwobi, Decagon provides a platform to equip individuals software engineering skills. The institution runs a six-month training programme that entails courses in full-stack software development, mobile app development and user experience design and soft skills. It hopes to make Nigeria a top 10 software engineering country by 2030. Last year, Decagon received applications from 35 000 applicants, with 103, or 0.5 percent, of the submissions being accepted.

While at Decagon, the trainees are not required to pay any fees until they have graduated and begun earning salaries. However, successful applicants are required to provide credible guarantors to access the pay-later arrangement.

“For some who do not have access to someone in their family or network to stand in for them, Mr Eazi is providing a lifeline and this is the type of collaboration that will move Nigeria forward,” Nwobi said.

Mr Eazi is no stranger to Africa’s tech scene and is behind a number of business platforms for African creatives, including the $20m African Music Fund, which he launched in June. The musician also heads the emPawa Africa incubator programme for emerging artists.

Interested participants for the next Decagon class can register here. The registriation deadline is 22 November.