Joseph Ibekwe Fellows Program

for Young African Professionals

2025 Fellowship, Cohort 1

February – November 2025

PROJECT 10x

Call for Applications: Joseph Ibekwe Fellows Program for Young African Professionals at Fled International Leadership Institute, Cohort 1

Applications Deadline: January 31, 2025 10:00 am (WAT) 

Who Should Apply: Young professionals, ages 26-30 years, with minimum of HND/First Degree (Undergraduate students not to apply).

Program Venue: Online & Onsite 

The Joseph Ibekwe Fellows Program is is part of Project 10X, which seeks to raise 10,000 young African leaders in the next 10 years. Each Cohort of the program will bring together young African professionals, ages 26 -30, for a 10-month mixed learning experience in leadership, peace building, and political systems engagement.

The Program connects Fellows across countries and regions to network and exchange experiences of community-driven approaches and best practices at practical workshops online and onsite in Abuja – Nigeria.

THE PROGRAM AIMS to:

  • Develop long-term leadership capacity in the participants as emerging transformational public leaders, tpl.
  • Build the skills and capacity of Fellows for effective engagement in the political space through the exchange of practical knowledge, experience, and innovative ideas.
  • Provide professional and personal advice and support to Fellows to enhance their individual and collective effectiveness.
  • Scale up the transformational impact of Fellows by connecting them with senior public leaders, new networks, and global opportunities for growth and impact.

The Joseph Ibekwe Fellows Program fosters the exchange of experiences from participants, as they work together to develop long-term network for professional and personal support and collaborative peace projects.

Fellows meet online for a series of both topic-based workshops and informal gatherings, as well as in closed platforms to exchange written materials including articles, feature interviews, and joint projects creation and execution.

The Online platform will keep Fellows connected, giving them the opportunity to share experiences across sectors, cultures, and geographies. Fellows will benefit from the guidance of experienced public leaders.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

  • February – October 2025 (monthly online meetings)
  • Specially organized Visits to key Public Leaders
  • Group Social Impact Projects
  • November 7-13, 2025 (in-person program in Abuja)
  • Graduation November 12, 2025
  • Continuing network engagement thereafter

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT REQUIRED? 

Successful applicants will be required to attend 2-3 hours of online meetings over a period of 10 months.  This will be followed by an in-person meeting to be held in Abuja, November 7-13, 2025. The in-person meeting will build on the work conducted online, and conclude with an elaborate graduation ceremony. 

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM COST?

The costs of the Program will be borne by Fled Foundation, Fled Institute, Friends & Partners of Dr. Joseph Ibekwe, and The Joseph Coaching International. However, participants will be required to buy the books associated with the mentoring program and partially bear the cost of a one-week stay in Abuja, November 7-13, 2025.

HOW WILL PARTICIPANTS BE SELECTED?

All applications will be reviewed by the staff of Fled Institute.  The Fellows will be carefully selected to ensure diversity of professional experiences, gender, and geo-locations.  Fellows will be selected based on their potential, vision for change, and commitment to making a difference in their communities. 

Applicants must:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to learning and impacting their community in specific ways;
  • Show interest in politics, public service, and passion for public benefit;
  • Demonstrate a commitment to building cross-cultural collaborations, and openness to learn about new and different approaches to resolving public issues;
  • Be intellectually active and curious, unafraid to ask uncomfortable questions and able to motivate others to implement unconventional measures;
  • Be available to commit time, energy, and resources to complete the program.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

If you are interested, do the following:

Complete the online application form

Send in a Personal Statement of not more than 200 words, describing why this program is important to you and how participating in it will help meet your personal and/or professional goals.

Send two reference letters, that affirm your suitability to undertake the Fellows Program.

Send Personal Statement & letters of reference to email: people4power2015@gmail.com

START NOW. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

To support Project 10X with finances, please send message to +234-708-015-7176

For inquiries, contact

The Program Coordinator

Joseph Ibekwe Fellows Program

Fled International Leadership Institute

Plot MF 57 Cadastral Zone,

KMC Street, Karu Site,

Abuja – Nigeria

Tel/Whatsapp: +234-7080157176