Thanks for the support and acknowledgement!
A breakdown on expenses:
After receiving the acceptance email from Solana Foundation, I went ahead and tried booking accommodation and flight (from Nigeria) to get an idea of the cost. In the process, I realized the $1k+ compensation package the foundation is gonna give me will not be enough.
Round trip + covid tests and other insurances costs: 700k+ in Naira (Flight booking gets more expensive closer to the time of flight).
Accommodation at a location with good reviews costs: ~ 550k Naira for my whole stay. (Other cheaper options I came across have 0 reviews).
Also, my choice of accommodation is refundable. This is important because I need to book a hotel first to be able to request for a letter of invitation from Solana which will aid in getting my VISA ASAP.
Invitation request form attached below