More than N150 million in cash and prizes has been awarded to participants in the second edition of the Digital for All Challenge, a flagship digital empowerment initiative by Tech4Dev aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and nurturing talent for the future workforce.
The nationwide competition, designed to strengthen digital literacy and bridge skills gaps, was held in three stages, state, regional, and national culminating in a grand finale in Abuja. Out of 15,191 individuals who entered at the state level, 265 advanced to the regional stage, with 46 finalists ultimately representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones at the national finals.
The challenge rewarded four category winners and eight runners-up, marking one of the largest prize pools ever awarded in a digital skills competition in Africa.
In the K-12 category, Abdulhameed Ibrahim from Plateau State took the top spot, while Al-Amin Bashir from Kaduna and Samuel Urah from Lagos were runners-up. The Youth Basic category was won by Ahmad Almustapha from Sokoto State, with Emmanuel Ajayi from Kwara and Olalekan Oladiran from Osun placing second and third.
Opeyemi Oyebowale from Ogun State won the Civil Servants category, followed by Oluchi Chibueze from Abia and Zakariyya Ibrahim from Niger. In the Youth Intermediate category, focused on advanced digital skills, Miracle Michael from Niger State emerged winner, with Chinedum Chimezie from Imo and Ismail Muhammad from Jigawa as runners-up.
Speaking at the event, Tech4Dev’s Executive Director said the Digital for All Challenge was created to shift how education and digital skills are valued and celebrated in Africa, placing them on the same level as entertainment and sports. “Our mission is to inspire individuals to pursue digital literacy, unlock their potential, and drive economic transformation across the continent,” she said.
The event brought together key partners and government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, highlighting growing public and private sector collaboration to equip Africa’s youth and workforce with digital skills.
For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), initiatives like this are more than just competitions — they are building blocks for a future workforce equipped with the digital capabilities needed to innovate, improve business efficiency, and compete in the global digital economy.
