Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship is a non-partisan project which nurtures and prepares young Nigerians (within and beyond Nigeria) for leadership at the local, regional, and national levels with a view to improving the quality of Nigeria’s leadership pool and the impact of its developmental interventions.

The Fellowship is a one-year multi-site fellowship where fellows across Nigeria irrespective of culture, status, or background will over the course of a year, gain access to tailored content delivered by experts and credible politicians. 

25 and 35 years (If you are within 36-45 years with a strong application, you can still apply)

The programme will be delivered using a hybrid learning approach (Onsite & Virtual), 6 months of virtual training, and Onsite Bootcamp Experience.

• The opportunity to be part of one of Africa’s leading political leadership capacity development programmes, designed to prepare credible leaders for public office and governance.
• Access to a high-impact, 6-month political leadership development programme, combining theory, practice, mentorship, and peer learning.
• Training delivered by a world-class Faculty comprising experienced Politicians, Development Experts, Technocrats, Historians, Civil Society Leaders, and Policy Practitioners.
• Structured group mentorship with credible past and serving Nigerian politicians across party lines and levels of government.
• Curated one-on-one and group engagements with influential political actors, policy leaders, and decision-makers.
• Participation in Learning Visits to key institutions and organisations central to Nigeria’s political and governance ecosystem.
• A fully immersive Residential Bootcamp experience, with logistics (tuition and/or travel, accommodation, and feeding) structured according to the selected fellowship track.
• Opportunities to serve in future EPLF cohorts as Facilitators, Programme Ambassadors, Advisory Council Members, or Mentors, based on performance and commitment.
• Automatic membership into the EPLF Alumni Association, granting access to a growing network of credible, values-driven emerging political leaders across Nigeria and the diaspora.
• Support to design and implement a civic-driven impact project, develop a capstone project, and collaborate with other Fellows on civic conversations and public engagement initiatives.
• Increased visibility within Nigeria’s political ecosystem and among key stakeholders, institutions, and influencers.
• Strategic media and social media spotlighting across The Bridge Leadership Foundation’s platforms, as well as those of Advisory Council and Faculty members.
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The Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship is the Flagship Fellowship Programme of The Bridge Leadership Foundation aimed at tackling the deep-rooted leadership problems faced as a country by exposing Fellows to the critical knowledge required for them to play in Nigeria’s political arena and thrive while in it.

No, the program is only open to Nigerians within Nigeria and in Disapora who are interested in running for political office or who are in mainstream politics in Nigeria.

The applications will close on the 28th of February 2026, 11:59 WAT

We have put a lot of thought into the development of the application process to make it as easy as possible for you to respond to our call. We are not looking for perfect answers, we are looking for answers that reflect belief and conviction. All you need to do is fill the application form, upload your CV and make a video. You will know where you stand no later than 2 weeks after application deadline.

We are not looking for production quality videos, just ensure you make your video under sufficient lighting and with very good sound quality. And tell us, why should you be selected for the fellowship? What about your vision is so compelling?

We believe this application process will help you articulate your thoughts in a way that is useful even beyond fellowship, and may very well help you present your vision in a way that galvanises the kind of support you need.

To Apply Visit: 

eplf.thebridgeleadership.org/apply