Call For Applications: 2025 Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) by LEAP Africa Apply Now

The Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) by LEAP Africa is a standout initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian undergraduates aged 18-35 to become transformative leaders and active citizens.

It’s a five-month program designed to bridge the gap for young Nigerians eager to lead and create change but who might lack the skills, knowledge, or resources to do so effectively.

The program zeroes in on three core pillars: leadership, active citizenship, and community/sustainable development.

It’s all about turning passionate youths into self-leaders who can drive sustainable impact in their communities and contribute to nation-building. 

Here’s how it works: participants go through self-paced online courses delivered via a Learning Management System (LMS), covering 22 modules tailored to Nigeria’s current realities—like leadership gaps and social issues.

They get mentorship from expert social innovators and change-makers, join inter-school debates on national topics (using the Karl Popper debate style), and pitch community change projects in teams of 3-5.

About 100 of these teams get funding and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. There’s also a virtual community for peer learning, plus tracks for sustainability and advocacy to sharpen their focus.

The program wraps up with a National Debate Finale and Awards Ceremony, celebrating the best efforts.

For 2025, it’s more inclusive than ever—open to persons with disabilities and strongly encouraging female undergraduates to apply, which reflects a push for diversity.

It’s free to join (though you’ll need internet access), and while it’s mainly for undergrads in Nigerian tertiary institutions, teams can include one graduate with no more than two years post-grad experience.

The current application window for the 2025 cohort opened recently and runs until March 14, 2025—so if you’re interested, that’s the deadline to watch!

The YLDP draws inspiration from events like the 2020 ENDSARS protests, which showed Nigerian youths’ potential to influence policy when equipped with the right tools. It’s backed by heavy hitters like the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Luminate Group through the NYFF, aiming to strengthen youth leadership for Nigeria’s long-term development.

Think of it as a launchpad for young change-makers who want to tackle big issues—whether it’s governance, sustainability, or social justice.

If you’re looking for something specific—like how to apply, eligibility details, or its impact— Visit Official website: https://nigeriayouthfund.org/yldp/