If you’re a young techie in Nigeria and you’ve ever watched others celebrate their wins, secretly wishing it was your name on that list, this is your chance to rewrite the story.

Cardtonic knows how many talented people are out there, hustling without the right tools. That’s why they created Upskill: to turn those “maybe next time” regrets into real success stories.

Don’t let this be another year you watch from the sidelines. Ready? Let’s see what Cardtonic has planned for you with Upskill 3.0.

Cardtonic started Upskill for one simple reason: to help passionate young Nigerians get a fair shot in tech and content creation. If you’ve ever dreamed of building apps, designing graphics, writing stories, or leading a project but felt held back by access or tools, this program is for you.

Tech is driving the world forward, and Cardtonic believes that the right opportunities should be within reach for anyone willing to chase them.

That’s why Upskill was created—to bridge the gap and make sure talent isn’t wasted just because of circumstance.

But Upskill didn’t just pop up overnight. It’s been a journey:

Back in 2022, Cardtonic kicked things off by empowering over 15 tech talents with brand-new MacBook laptops. That first edition set the tone for what Upskill could do.

In 2024, the program got even bigger. Cardtonic expanded the winners’ circle to 20+, rewarding standouts with MacBook M3 laptops or cash prizes. Talk of brands with loud doings!

Check out the highlights from Upskill 2.0 here.

Now, for Upskill 3.0, Cardtonic is raising the bar even higher. This year, 20 tech talents will receive a brand-new M4 MacBooks.

Plus, more people will get cash prizes and the chance at job opportunities, making sure talented Nigerians get all the support and encouragement they deserve.

Upskill 3.0 is open to young Nigerians who are passionate about building, creating, and making things happen in tech. To keep things organised, applicants will join one of five tracks based on their interests and skills: software engineers, data scientists, product managers, designers, and content creators.

Whether you eat and breathe code, love crunching numbers, connect the dots between business and user needs, bring ideas to life with visuals, or engage audiences with creative content, there’s a track for you.

To qualify, you need to be under 30 years old and a Nigerian citizen or national. You should be genuinely passionate about tech or content creation, and you’ll need to show proof of your skills—think GitHub profiles, personal projects, courses you’ve taken, a portfolio, or tasks you’ve completed.

If you fit any of these tracks, and you have the passion to back it up, Upskill 3.0 could be your next big move.

Ready to take your shot? Visit cardtonic.com/upskill and complete the application form. You’ll need to pick your track, share a little about your journey, and upload proof of your skills. That could be a project you’re proud of, your portfolio, or even a course certificate.

Once you submit your entry, you’re in the running—simple as that.

Applications open on 23rd June 2025 and close on 1st August 2025. After applications close, the Cardtonic team will review all entries between 4th and 8th August. Once that’s done, the screening criteria will be updated from 11th to 15th August.

Assessment Day happens between 16th and 17th August. No need to panic; it’s just a simple online test in your field to see what you know.

Results from the assessment will be shared between 25th and 29th August. If you make it through, you’ll be invited for an interview between 8th and 12th September. Winners will be announced on 19th September 2025.

Finally, the Prize-giving Event Day will be held on 1st November 2025. If you win, there’s even a chance you could join the Cardtonic team on a full-time contract.

Cardtonic has always been about making life easier—whether you’re trading gift cards for cash, buying gadgets, creating virtual dollar cards, or handling bill payments on the go. Upskill 3.0 is just one more way Cardtonic is investing in young Nigerians and building a future where access isn’t a barrier.

So if you’re ready to level up, don’t sit this one out. Apply now and let Cardtonic help you unlock your next big win.