LEAD Fellowship 2026 Application Form | Leadership for Equity Advocacy and Development 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 needed to promote ethical, inclusive, and people-centred leadership.
The Fellowship prepares young leaders to understand governance systems, engage with public policy, champion social impact, and drive positive change within their communities and institutions.
Selected Fellows will participate in an intensive Virtual Learning Lab, progress through a Policy Lab & Innovation Challenge, and compete for a place in the National Final Pitch in Abuja.
Top-performing Fellows will also be considered for structured six-month professional placements with partner public and civic institutions, with stipends provided.
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Fellowship Type
- Leadership Development Programme
- Virtual Learning Phase
- Project-Based Fellowship
- Competitive Fellowship
Programme Structure
Phase One – Virtual Learning Lab
Fellows will receive practical training covering:
- 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 to develop policy solutions.
- Design innovative civic initiatives.
- Conduct policy research and analysis.
- Develop and present policy recommendations.
Progress through the:
- Campus Challenge
- Regional Challenge
- National Challenge
Phase Three – National Final Pitch
Top-performing Fellows will:
- Travel to Abuja with all expenses covered.
- Present their policy solutions before policymakers and relevant stakeholders.
- Receive mentorship from governance and civic leaders.
- Participate in networking and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
- Be considered for six-month professional placement opportunities with partner organisations, with stipends provided.
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Fellowship Responsibilities
Selected Fellows will be expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in all virtual learning sessions.
- Complete assigned learning activities and coursework.
- Participate in group discussions and collaborative learning.
- Engage in policy research and analysis.
- Develop innovative policy or civic initiatives.
- Participate fully 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 studying at 200–600 Level, OND I, HND I, HND II, or postgraduate level.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and civic responsibility.
- Have a genuine interest in governance, leadership, advocacy, public policy, or social impact.
- Commit fully to the 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 a commitment to accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and ethical leadership.
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Preferred Experience
Applicants with experience in any of the following areas 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
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Core Competencies
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
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Fellowship Benefits
Participants will receive:
- Structured leadership development training.
- Expert mentorship from governance and civic leaders.
- Practical experience in policy and advocacy.
- Networking opportunities with professionals and fellow participants.
- Opportunities to participate in stakeholder engagements and policy roundtables.
- Opportunity to compete in the National Final Pitch.
- Certificate of Completion.
- Increased exposure within Nigeria’s governance and policy ecosystem.
- Opportunity for six-month professional placements with partner organisations for top-performing Fellows, with stipends provided.
Application Deadline: 20 September 2026