Youth Leadership Program

Application opens: December 1

Application Closes: (February for first batch and June for second batch) 

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Abuja invites applications from secondary school state ministries of education or Schools Board in selected states to nominate students and teachers for the Youth Leadership Program administered by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the Critical Mass Leadership Education (CMLE) and States for Health International.  The program is NOT open to individuals or institutions unless contacted by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section.

The Youth Leadership Program was introduced in 2010 to build capacity of the youth in Sub-Saharan Africa to be effective leaders.  The first group of Nigerians to participate on this program came from Kano State followed by the Federal Capital Territory in 2011, and Katsina and Nassarawa states in 2012. We are expanding the program to Kogi and Niger States in 2013, and may continue to do so as funding situation improves.  Sixteen high school students and four teachers will be recruited for the program in 2013.

The program offers African high school students and educators from Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa the opportunity to explore civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community activism through U.S.-based exchange projects.

Program contents include civic education and leadership development; stays with host families, school and community engagement in Denver, Colorado and Wisconsin, and meetings and presentations in Washington, DC.   The first batch of participants will depart Nigeria end of March and return in April and the second group will leave late October and return to Nigeria in November. While on the program, participants will develop follow-on projects and implement them upon their return home.