Everywhere you look, young Nigerians are dreaming big. They want to build apps, create content, and solve real problems with technology. But for most people, chasing those dreams is hard when your laptop is slow, or you don’t even have one at all.

Cardtonic saw this struggle and decided to do something about it. Instead of just talking, they launched Upskill, a yearly program that helps young Nigerians with big dreams but small resources. Upskill is Cardtonic’s way of saying, “We see your hustle, and we want to help.”

Now, Upskill 3.0 is here, and it’s bigger than ever. This year, Cardtonic will be giving out brand-new MacBook M4 laptops and cash prizes to make sure talented young people have what they need to move forward.

When you hear about things like Upskill 3.0, it’s easy to think, “Is this one of those random giveaways, or does it actually change lives?” Well, here’s how it really started and why it’s different.

Let’s take it back to 2022. That was the year Cardtonic decided to stop talking and actually make a move for the community. The idea was simple: pick 15 young Nigerians who had big dreams in tech and hand them brand-new MacBook  laptops.

This wasn’t just about giving away free gadgets. Take Maureen Anyanwu for example. Her laptop at the time was so faulty that she had to write her answers on a sheet of paper and hold it up to the webcam, since the mic and speakers had already given up. Still, she didn’t let that stop her, and her determination paid off. She got the laptop.

The award event that year felt like a family hangout. There were hugs, a few tears, and loads of “wow, is this really happening?” vibes all around. Those first 15 laptops became 15 new stories, and every win felt personal.

Then came May 2024, and Cardtonic decided to go bigger with Upskill 2.0. This time, 20 MacBook M2 laptops were up for grabs, plus cash prizes for even more runners-up. And this time, they invited not just coders, but designers, product managers, data scientists, and content creators. The doors were wide open.

The response was massive. Some people sent in videos recorded in noisy cybercafés, others shared stories of building apps and designing graphics on hand-me-down computers.

By the time the winners got their laptops, social media was buzzing with celebrations. And for a few, that Upskill win was the start of something even bigger. Some landed freelance gigs or new job opportunities, and a few even got the chance to work with the Cardtonic team.

At this point, Upskill had become more than a program. It was turning into a movement

So, you’re ready to go from “I wish” to “I did”? Here’s how to throw your hat in the ring for Upskill 3.0 and maybe win that brand-new MacBook M4 or a cash prize:

• 1st August 2025

After applications close, Cardtonic will review every entry. Shortlisted candidates will move on to the assessment and interview stage, where you’ll get to show even more of what you can do. Winners will be announced in September, and the prize-giving event will hold in November.

There’s a reason Cardtonic keeps showing up for young Nigerians. They don’t just run another tech platform, they make life easier every day by letting people trade gift cards for cash, buy gadgets, get virtual dollar cards, and handle all their bill payments, right from their phone.

Upskill 3.0 is just one more way Cardtonic is proving that when you support talent and remove barriers, the results can be amazing.

So, whether you’re a developer, designer, content creator, or you just believe in the power of technology to change your story, this is your chance to go for it. The next success story could be yours.