Digital Jewels Africa (DJ Cares) Scholarship 2026
If you're a Nigerian undergraduate studying an IT-related course and looking for financial support, the DJ Cares Scholarship by Digital Jewels Africa is one worth putting on your radar.
Applications for the 2026 cycle are open, and we have broken down everything you need: eligibility, how to apply, and where to submit your application.
What is the Digital Jewels Africa Scholarship?
The DJ Cares Scholarship is the flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Digital Jewels Limited (Digital Jewels Africa), a pan-African IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) consulting and capacity development firm headquartered in Ikoyi, Lagos, with offices across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.
Launched back in 2011, the DJ Cares initiative has supported over 100 students across Nigeria to date. Its mission is straightforward: reduce the number of promising IT students who drop out of university due to financial hardship, while nurturing the next generation of tech and cybersecurity talent for Africa's digital economy.
In 2025, the programme expanded beyond Nigeria to include Ghanaian students for the first time, a sign that Digital Jewels is scaling its impact across the continent.
What Scholars Receive
Below is what the successful scholars receive:
₦200,000 cash award: disbursed to support tuition, textbooks, research materials, and other educational costs
Professional mentorship: access to Digital Jewels' network of IT governance experts and cyber consultants
Placement opportunities: priority consideration for internships, Industrial Training (IT/SIWES) placements, and even NYSC or graduate roles at Digital Jewels' Lagos and Abuja offices
E-learning resources: exposure to the firm's training and building capacity content
Eligibility Requirements
While exact figures have varied slightly year to year, the core criteria for the 2026 cycle generally include:
Enrolled full time in an accredited Federal or State university in Nigeria (or, for the Ghana track, a recognised tertiary institution in Ghana)
Studying an IT-related discipline: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Mechatronics, or Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Currently in your 2nd or 3rd year of study
A minimum CGPA of around 3.0–3.75 out of 5.0 (or equivalent), maintained each semester consistently
Typically under 23 years old by the application deadline
Strong English language proficiency (written and oral)
Able to provide two credible references, at least one from your current institution (e.g., HOD or Dean)
Because eligibility details (like the exact CGPA cutoff) have shifted slightly across recent cycles, it's worth confirming the precise requirements on the official application page before you apply.
How to Apply
Follow the steps below to apply successfully for the scholarship
Visit the official DJ Cares Scholarship page on the Digital Jewels website and click "Apply Now".
Write a short essay (max 500 words, submitted as a PDF) on one of the assigned topics, such as:
The ethical dilemma of AI-enabled deepfakes and what it means for information security
The importance of tech literacy in the 21st century
Understanding your digital footprint and its impact on your future
Complete the application form, providing your personal details, university, department, course of study, current level, CGPA, date of birth, a passport photograph, and your most recent academic result.
Submit your references: remember, at least one must come from a current staff member at your institution (HOD, dean, etc.).
Wait to be shortlisted. Only candidates who meet the CGPA threshold and submit a competitive essay move to the final review stage.
Keep your contact details active. Digital Jewels reaches out via the email and phone number provided, so make sure both stay accessible throughout the review period.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, take the time to write a genuinely thoughtful essay; past cycles suggest this is where shortlisting decisions are often made.