Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Bridge Fellowship 2019/2020

Deadline Date: October 25, 2019

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in conjunction with LEAP Africa is pleased to announce the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Bridge Fellowship 2019/2020. The NESG Bridge Fellowship is a merit-based fellowship jointly designed and administered by the NESG, a private sector Think-Tank and Policy Advocacy Group, and LEAP Africa, a youth-leadership development non-profit organization.

The NESG Bridge Fellowship is designed to inspire and equip a new generation of young visionary Nigerian leaders, with the skills to carry out policy-oriented research and advocacy for national transformation. Selected participants will undergo a rigorous and engaging capacity development process where they will contribute to knowledge production and policy at the national level.

Fellows will conduct their policy research and advocacy activities in-line with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s (NESG) 11 policy commissions, which include: Energy, science and technology, manufacturing and solid minerals development, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and logistics, human capital development, governance and institutions, trade investment and competitiveness, finance financial inclusion and financial markets, sustainability and tourism, hospitality, entertainment and creative industries policy commissions.

Selected applicants will be enrolled into an 18-month fellowship during which they will develop leadership, research and policy engagement skills and competencies; participate in policy research and advocacy work, as well as implement social impact projects. These professionals will be drawn from across the 36 states of Nigeria from academia, the private, public and development sectors through a stringent selection process.

Benefits

By the end of the fellowship, fellows will:

• Have a deep understanding of the policy-making process.
• Be confident to lend their voices to policy discourse.
• Be able to represent the private sector in policy discourse.
• Be part of a community of young change makers in the policy space.

Eligibility

• Applicants should be between the ages of 25 and 40 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 20-24 will be considered;
• Are Nigerian citizens who are permanent residents within the country;
• Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the NESG or LEAP Africa;
• Are able to undergo rigorous research training for a period of 18 months;
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English;
• Have demonstrated consistent interest in research and public policy, community development, social work, business and/or social entrepreneurship.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be shortlisted based on the strength of their applications including:

• Demonstrated and consistent interest in research and public policy, community development, social work, business and/or social entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in one or more of the 11 policy commissions of the NESG.
• A contemporary understanding of youth challenges in Nigeria from a youth perspective.
• A commitment to contribute to public policy for national transformation, and apply the skills and training to benefit Nigeria.
• Ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• An energetic and positive attitude.

Application

Participants will be required to submit:

• An application form
• A cover letter, stating your motivation and why you should be selected for the fellowship.
• A 500-word essay sharing your thoughts on a policy issue of their choosing – related to one of the 11 policy commissions of the NESG – and why you think this issue is important.
• A two-minute video briefly describing who you are and explaining the reason for your interest in the policy issue you wrote about.
• Any additional document (of not more than three pages) to support your application e.g. an article with a policy focus, learnings or outcomes of a community project or social work, etc.

For more information, visit NESG Bridge Fellowship.