About the Fellowship

The Leadership for Equity, Advocacy and Development (LEAD) Fellowship is a non-partisan leadership development programme designed to equip emerging Nigerian leaders with the knowledge, skills, values, and practical experience required for ethical, inclusive, and people-centred leadership.

The Fellowship prepares young leaders to navigate governance systems, influence public policy, champion social impact, and drive positive change within their communities and institutions.

Successful Fellows will participate in an intensive 8-week Virtual Learning Lab, progress through a Policy Lab & Innovation Challenge, and outstanding participants will advance to a National Final Pitch in Abuja. Top-performing Fellows will be considered for structured six-month professional placements within partner public and civic institutions.

Fellowship Type

Leadership Development Programme

Virtual (Learning Phase)

Project-Based

Competitive Fellowship

Programme Structure

Phase One – Virtual Learning Lab (8 Weeks)

Fellows will receive practical training in:

• Feminist Ethics and Leadership
• Building Safe and Influential Campus Communities
• Sexual Harassment Prevention and Institutional Accountability
• Advocacy and Digital Safety
• Gender, Data and Public Finance
• Policy Literacy
• Governance Systems
• Civic Leadership
• Community Organising
• Policy Formulation
• Policy Analysis
• Ethical Leadership
• Inclusive Leadership

Phase Two – Policy Lab & Innovation Challenge

Participants will:

• Work collaboratively on policy solutions.
• Develop innovative civic initiatives.
• Present policy recommendations.
• Progress through:
• Campus Challenge
• Regional Challenge
• National Challenge

Phase Three – National Final Pitch

Top 20 Fellows will:

• Travel to Abuja (all expenses paid).
• Present policy solutions before policymakers.
• Receive mentorship from governance and civic leaders.
• Participate in networking opportunities.
• Be considered for six-month placement opportunities with partner organisations (stipend supported).

Fellowship Responsibilities

Selected Fellows will be expected to:

• Attend all virtual learning sessions.
• Participate actively throughout the 8-week programme.
• Complete assigned learning activities and coursework.
• Participate in group discussions and collaborative learning.
• Engage in policy research and policy analysis activities.
• Develop innovative policy or civic initiatives.
• Participate in the Policy Lab and Innovation Challenge.
• Deliver presentations and pitch policy solutions.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Collaborate respectfully with mentors, facilitators, and fellow participants.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Be currently enrolled in a recognised Nigerian tertiary institution.
• Be in 200 Level, 300 Level, Final Year, HND II, or Postgraduate study.
• Demonstrate leadership potential.
• Demonstrate civic responsibility.
• Show genuine interest in governance, leadership, advocacy, public policy, and social impact.
• Commit fully to the entire 8-week virtual learning programme.
• Have reliable internet access.
• Own or have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer suitable for virtual learning.
• Be willing to travel to Abuja if selected as a National Finalist.
• Demonstrate commitment to accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and ethical leadership.

Preferred Experience

Applicants with experience in any of the following are encouraged to apply:

• Student Leadership
• Campus Associations
• Volunteer Work
• Community Development
• Civic Engagement
• Youth Advocacy
• Non-Profit Organisations
• Social Enterprise
• Research Projects
• Public Speaking
• Debate
• Policy Discussions
• Leadership Programmes
• Innovation Challenges
• Project Coordination

Formal work experience is not required.

Academic Background

Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to:

• Political Science
• Law
• Economics
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Psychology
• International Relations
• Education
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Business Administration
• Accounting
• Mass Communication
• Agriculture
• Health Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Arts
• Humanities
• Sciences

Core Competencies

Successful Fellows should demonstrate strengths in:

Leadership Competencies

• Ethical Leadership
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Civic Responsibility
• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Resilience

Professional Competencies

• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Research Skills
• Policy Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Presentation Skills
• Teamwork
• Digital Literacy
• Learning Agility
• Innovation
• Time Management

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Fellowship, participants will have developed practical knowledge and experience in:

• Governance Systems
• Public Policy
• Policy Formulation
• Policy Analysis
• Leadership Development
• Advocacy
• Civic Leadership
• Gender Equity
• Public Finance
• Digital Safety
• Community Organising
• Public Speaking
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Social Innovation
• Ethical Decision-Making

Fellowship Benefits

Participants will receive:

• Structured leadership development training.
• Expert mentorship from governance and civic leaders.
• Practical policy and advocacy experience.
• Networking opportunities with professionals and peers.
• Participation in stakeholder engagements and policy roundtables.
• Opportunity to compete in the National Final Pitch.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Increased visibility within Nigeria's governance and policy ecosystem.
• Opportunity for six-month professional placements with partner organisations (top-performing Fellows).