The Click-On Kaduna Data Science Fellowship Programme (DSFP) has officially announced the selection of 45 young professionals for its 2025/2026 cohort (DSFP 5.0), marking a historic expansion from the original intake of 40 fellows.
This year’s process has been the most competitive since the fellowship began in 2020, attracting 5,430 applications from across the country. Applicants underwent a four-stage selection process that included essays, video submissions, a computer-based test (CBT), and interviews at the Amina J. Mohammed SDGs Data Lab.
According to the program’s implementation partners, the increase in slots from 40 to 45 was driven by the unprecedented number of high-quality applications received this year. The remarkable quality of submissions resulted from the maturity of the fellowship in its fifth year and the active role of the DSFP alumni network in mentoring new applicants.
Among the newly selected fellows are stories that capture the spirit of the DSFP.
One candidate, who distinguished himself as the top performer in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), went on to replicate this excellence at the interview stage, emerging as the overall top candidate of the 2025/2026 cohort. Equally inspiring is the story of an 18-year-old secondary school graduate, one of the youngest in the program’s history, who earned her place in the fellowship. Despite her age, she stood out for her track record of impact in her community and her determination to continually improve herself through online courses and tech hub activities in Kaduna. These stories of brilliance, resilience, and youthful determination embody the values at the heart of DSFP.
The 45 fellows will embark on six months of intensive, hands-on training combining technical instruction with real-world applications. Working daily at the Amina J. Mohammed SDGs Data Lab, they will apply data to pressing social issues.
Thanks to renewed partnerships, fellows will also access world-class digital learning platforms to complement their practical experiences. Mentorship from alumni and global data professionals will further guide them in shaping their careers and driving social good.
Since its inception in 2020, DSFP has trained more than 150 young professionals who now serve as data analysts, project managers, researchers, and global ambassadors for data-driven development. Many alumni are embedded within Kaduna State Government institutions, providing evidence-based insights that inform policy and improve lives.
The DSFP 5.0 cohort will be formally unveiled following induction and orientation scheduled for September 15–19, 2025, with classes commencing on October 6, 2025.
This expansion reaffirms Kaduna’s leadership in building Africa’s fastest-growing data science community and its commitment to empowering youth with the skills to shape the future through data for social good.
