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Nigeria Youth Leadership and Ecosystem Convening

Powering Youth Leadership
Ecosystems for Nigeria's
Democratic and Development

A convening bringing youth leaders, funders, policy-makers, together to shift the conversation from youth participation to youth power: Celebrating 5 years of NYFF.

Nov 4-5, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria
Hybrid, 500+ Participants
Register to Attend
Register to become a Volunteer
Nominate for Awards
download - Nigeria Youth Futures Fund - NYFF

NYFF @5

Nigeria Youth Leadership and
Ecosystem Convening

About the Convening

Five years of building the ecosystem. Now, a moment to power what's next.

Since its launch, NYFF has supported hundreds of youth-led organisations across Nigeria — strengthening leadership, civic engagement, and community-driven solutions across the country.

NYFF @ 5 marks this milestone by convening critical youth ecosystem actors from across Nigeria and the continent to reflect, learn, and co-create strategies for advancing youth leadership as a driver of democratic governance and inclusive development.

NYFF Agile Fund img - Nigeria Youth Futures Fund - NYFF

500+

Expected Participants

200+

In-Person Delegates

6

Convening Subthemes

2

Days, Abuja

Theme & Subthemes

Six conversations shaping the ecosystem's next chapter

Youth Power, Agency & Systems Change

Reframing youth from beneficiaries to architects of leadership ecosystems.

Building & Sustaining Ecosystems

Models, tools, and lessons from youth-led funds and initiatives across Africa.

Youth-Led Movements in Shrinking Civic Spaces

Sustaining organising and advocacy under pressure.

Financing Youth Leadership & Innovation

New funding models and pathways for youth-led work.

Digital Organising, Media & Narrative Power

Using digital tools and storytelling to shift narratives.

Intergenerational Leadership & Shared Power

Building bridges between generations of leaders.

Ecosystem recognition awards

Recognising Those Who Power Youth Leadership

What the Award Is All About

Why: Youth leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum,  it’s built by an ecosystem of people and institutions who create the platforms, resources, and opportunities that let young Nigerians lead. The NYFF Ecosystem Recognition Awards exist to publicly recognise them: not just those who lead from the front, but those who power that leadership from behind the scenes.

When: Evening of 5 November 2026, Abuja, Nigeria, the closing, capstone moment of the NYFF@5 National Youth Leadership and Ecosystem Convening.

Who it’s for: Individuals, youth-led organisations, and institutions (development partners, government, private sector, civil society) who have made a demonstrable, evidence-backed contribution to youth leadership, civic participation, innovation, inclusion, or ecosystem-building in Nigeria.

Award Categories

For a young Nigerian (18–35) showing sustained leadership in civic participation or community organising.

For an individual or youth-led group that turned organising into measurable community-level change.

For a youth-led campaign or coalition that shifted public discourse or drove policy/institutional change.

For a youth-led tech or innovation initiative strengthening civic participation or service delivery.

For a journalist, creator, or platform using storytelling to drive civic awareness and accountability.

For advancing real leadership not just representation for young women and underrepresented groups.

For leadership by (not just for) persons with disabilities in civic and governance spaces.

For sustained mentoring and genuine power-sharing with emerging leaders.

For an institution that has consistently created opportunities and resources for youth to thrive.

For individuals/institutions foundational to NYFF’s first five years. (Curated, not open for nomination.)

Know someone powering youth leadership in Nigeria? Nominate them today.

Click here to Nominate

Nominations close 30 September 2026. Reviewed by an independent jury on evidence, not popularity.

Moments from the Ecosystem

Five years of showing up — in halls, on streets, at tables like this

From advocacy walks demanding functional local government, to ecosystem labs co-designing solutions — this is what youth leadership looks like in motion.

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) is a response to an urgent need to provide technical and financial support to burgeoning youth-led movements in Nigeria, with the aim of sustaining their work and facilitating opportunities for learning.

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The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) is a response to an urgent need to provide technical and financial support to burgeoning youth-led movements in Nigeria, with the aim of sustaining their work and facilitating opportunities for learning.

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