Aptech, a global computer and IT education company with 65 centres in Nigeria, has announced a groundbreaking cost reduction of up to 71% for Nigerians seeking foreign university education. The milestone was unveiled at the 17th edition of its annual Career Quest event held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, September 4, 2025, where the group also revealed it had invested ₦461 million in scholarships for Nigerian students both locally and abroad.

Speaking at the event, Seetham Thakuri, Aptech’s Assistant Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, explained that the savings were achieved through the group’s diploma and advanced diploma programmes in Nigeria, which allow students to complete most of their studies locally before proceeding abroad for the final year. According to him, this arrangement drastically reduces the cost of foreign education, with final-year tuition at Middlesex University in North London put at about ₦32 million.

Thakuri noted that the model not only eases financial burdens on families but also ensures seamless credit transfers, better preparation for international exposure, and equips students with globally relevant, industry-ready skills. He revealed that while over 72,000 Nigerians studied abroad in 2023, the figure dropped to 46,000 in 2024 due to the exchange rate crisis, stressing that Aptech’s initiative would help more families afford international degrees.

Aptech CEO, Rajeev Venugopal, who flew in from Canada, said his passion for addressing unemployment in Nigeria was what brought Aptech to the country 25 years ago. With over 7.5 million students trained globally, including thousands of Nigerians, Venugopal expressed fulfilment that Aptech’s mission of empowering youths with skills was yielding visible impact.

Also speaking, Oluchi Nwagbara, Middlesex University’s regional manager in Nigeria, highlighted the university’s global ranking and disclosed a £3,000 discount for students coming through Aptech. She further outlined opportunities for work during and after studies for compliant students, making the partnership even more attractive.

The Career Quest event also featured presentations by student groups showcasing skills in web design, app development, gaming, and more. The highlight was the scholarship draw, which saw Echefu Arigbozoh and Jombo J.C. Nenge win UK study slots, while Ozor Chiatokam and Emmanuel Ekene Prince secured Aptech scholarships in Nigeria.

Aptech also announced it had disbursed ₦36 million in scholarships in Port Harcourt alone this year, reinforcing its commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with skills that can compete on the global stage.