The 2025 Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship Bootcamp and Graduation Ceremony in Abuja was a transformative three day event that brought together Nigeria’s brightest young leaders to learn, engage, and demonstrate leadership in action. Designed and hosted by The Bridge Leadership Foundation, the programme created a platform for intensive learning, high level engagement, mentorship, and practical leadership application. It is a space where young Nigerians are not only taught to lead but are challenged to think critically, act ethically, and implement solutions that directly impact their communities and the nation.
The Bootcamp commenced on November 5, 2025, with the arrival of the fellows and the opening workshop. The evening session was led by Dr Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, who facilitated the Fellows Welcome and Interactive Session. Her presentation explored the intersection of strategic leadership, civic responsibility, and the influence of public policy in society. Dr Sydney Jack encouraged the fellows to reflect deeply on their leadership identities, to question assumptions, and to develop practical strategies for transforming their communities. Fellows engaged in discussions, group exercises, and personal reflection exercises that emphasized self awareness, collaboration, and solution oriented thinking. The atmosphere was electric with curiousity, ambition, and determination, as the cohort began to build the shared sense of purpose and vision that would define the Bootcamp. Afterwards, the Founder, Sen. Liyel Imoke CON, took the floor and engaged the fellows in a deeply insightful dialogue. During the interactive session, he posed the reflective question he is known for asking every cohort during the Meet and Greet, “What defines you?”, a challenge designed to push the fellows to examine their identity, purpose, values, and the essence of their leadership journey.
Day two took the fellows into the heart of Nigeria’s legislative institutions for high level engagement. The cohort visited the National Assembly, where they observed a live plenary session and saw firsthand how legislative debates and decision making unfold. Witnessing the complex interactions, procedural nuances, and deliberative processes offered the fellows a concrete understanding of the structures that shape governance. Following the plenary, the fellows were hosted by Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. In his address, the Deputy Speaker reflected on the discipline, integrity, and accountability required of public officials, and shared candid lessons from his own journey in public service. He urged the fellows to embrace service oriented leadership, stressing that the quality of a nation’s leadership is determined by the ethics, commitment, and courage of those who choose to lead.
Later that day, the fellows visited the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, where they submitted their policy briefs developed through their fellowship learning modules. These briefs were not merely academic exercises; they were evidence based proposals aimed at tackling real community challenges. Fellows demonstrated clarity in problem definition, creativity in solution design, and practical thinking in implementation planning.
The third and final day of the Bootcamp was the highlight of the programme, featuring the Fellows Capstone Project Presentations. Each fellow showcased projects they had been developing and implementing within their communities, tackling issues such as education, civic participation, youth empowerment, rural development, governance, technology integration, and climate awareness. The projects were evaluated by a distinguished panel of reviewers that included Hon Bamidele Salam, Hon Engr Akarachi Etinosa Tosan Amadi, Mr Ose Anenih, Amara Nwankpa, and Debby Magnut. The panel assessed the projects based on problem clarity, innovation, feasibility, social impact, and alignment with leadership principles. Each presentation demonstrated not only intellectual mastery but also the ability to translate theory into practical solutions that could be implemented at scale. Fellows received detailed feedback, mentorship, and guidance from the panel, providing them with invaluable insights into real world leadership challenges.
Following the Capstone Presentations, the Graduation and Conference Ceremony took place, marking the culmination of the fellowship year. The event gathered prominent public leaders, development practitioners, policy experts, and EPLF alumni to celebrate achievement and explore the broader implications of youth leadership in governance. Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that leadership is a discipline rooted in integrity, service, vision, and strategic thought. He reminded fellows that leadership is less about personal ambition and more about the courage to enact meaningful change, hold systems accountable, and inspire others through example.
The graduation featured a high level panel session with Hon Abdussamad Dasuki, Ms Obianuju Ogoko, Mr Oluwatosin Iseniyi, and Mr Ose Anenih. The panel was moderated by EPLF alumnus Daniel Stephen and compered by Faith Onyebujoh of Democracy Radio. Discussions centered on governance, ethical leadership, public service, technology in decision making, and effective civic engagement. The panel encouraged the fellows to use the tools and networks gained through the fellowship to continue shaping public policy, community programs, and national discourse.
A particularly moving highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the 2025 Fellows Legacy Project, a Compendium documenting the experiences, insights, and learning outcomes of the cohort throughout the fellowship year. The Compendium was presented to Senator Liyel Imoke, Founder of The Bridge Leadership Foundation, by the 2025 Cohort President, Olajumoke Oluwaseun Olasoji. She also announced a scholarship initiative for secondary school students, demonstrating how leadership impact begins with giving back and investing in future generations.
The ceremony further celebrated exemplary performances across multiple programme milestones. Group 4, the New Nigeria Youth Party, emerged as winners of the 2025 Campaign Video Challenge, impressing the judges with a narrative rich in creativity, originality, and solution oriented storytelling. Their video effectively addressed community issues and offered practical solutions. Team members Mutari Liman, Yasir Ibrahim, Ruth Ngoka, Bright Okuta, and Mubarak Mijinyawa achieved 42 out of 50 in internal scoring and 46 out of 50 in social media grading, reflecting both technical excellence and the ability to inspire civic awareness among audiences.
Special recognition was given to George Ugwuja and Yasir Ibrahim for their outstanding Capstone Project presentations. Olajumoke Oluwaseun Olasoji received the Outstanding Civic Engagement Activity Award for her impactful initiative at Babs Fafunwa Senior Grammar School, Ojodu, Lagos, reaching 70 students and 10 staff members. Her project inspired civic awareness, political participation, and leadership consciousness among young learners.
Ajibola Oladiipo was celebrated as the Overall Best Fellow of the 4th Cohort, achieving perfect attendance in all 34 virtual sessions, consistently top evaluations from June to September, and exceptional contributions to the fellowship learning community. Femi Oladele and Ruth Ngoka were also recognized for their consistency, dedication, and meaningful engagement with their peers, serving as role models of discipline, collaboration, and leadership in practice.
As the ceremony concluded, Senator Liyel Imoke and the programme leadership reiterated the mission of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship: to build a generation of competent, ethical, community oriented leaders who are equipped to transform Nigeria’s governance and civic landscape. The 2025 cohort now joins the EPLF Alumni Network, ready to leverage their knowledge, skills, and networks to enact meaningful change, inspire participation, and uphold the values of integrity, accountability, and service in every sphere of influence.
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