The Bridge Leadership Foundation, founded in 2011 by former Governor Liyel Imoke, has announced the onboarding of 25 exceptional individuals into the fourth cohort of its flagship Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) programme.
A release, signed by its acting Executive Director, Oluwafunmilola Ojo, and made available to our reporter, said the Fellowship, established in 2022 “was created to identify, equip, and empower visionary young Nigerians committed to transforming the political landscape.”
The release read in part: “The Bridge Leadership Foundation is proud to announce the successful onboarding of 25 exceptional individuals into the fourth cohort of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) programme.
“This year’s selection process was highly competitive, attracting over 900 applications from across the country. Following a thorough review and interview process, 25 outstanding candidates were selected.
“The volume and quality of applications received made the final selection particularly challenging, as many impressive applicants had to be left out due to the limited number of available slots.”
The statement, which described the selection as “rigorous,” said it was to ensure that only the most dedicated and passionate emerging leaders were chosen to participate in the programme.
It explained that the non-partisan initiative is designed to build the capacity of young leaders to engage in governance and public service
“It offers fellows a rich learning experience, beginning with a structured virtual training phase that will cover critical themes such as leadership, governance, political strategy, public policy, and civic engagement.
“These sessions will be delivered by a distinguished faculty of thought leaders, past and current serving politicians, and policymakers.
“Following the virtual phase, fellows will converge in Abuja for a transformative in-person Boot Camp. The Boot Camp will feature high-impact engagements, institutional visits, mentorship opportunities, and the presentation of capstone projects to a seasoned panel of reviewers.
“This hands-on experience is crafted to foster collaboration, deepen knowledge, and inspire innovative solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing political and governance challenges,” it stated.
The Foundation further reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to nurturing a pipeline of credible, ethical, and competent political leaders,” adding that the 2025 fellows represent a diverse blend of voices, professions, and regions—each bringing a unique perspective to the shared vision of building a better Nigeria.”
It noted that the participants “embody the promise of a new generation of leaders prepared to drive inclusive development, strengthen democratic values, and lead with integrity.”
