The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has announced the launch of its 2026 Athena-Anchoria Junior Fellowship Programme, aimed at nurturing a new generation of leaders in governance and public policy across Nigeria.
The programme, which commenced on April 25, 2026 in Abuja, is being implemented in partnership with Anchoria Advisory Services Limited.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anchoria, Sam Chidoka, underscored the long-term vision of the fellowship, noting that sustained investment in young talent is critical to shaping Nigeria’s policy and governance landscape.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Centre disclosed that 14 outstanding young Nigerians were selected for the 2026 cohort following a rigorous nationwide process. The fellows were chosen based on academic excellence, leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to public service and policy development.
The cohort reflects a broad national spread, with participants drawn from all six geopolitical zones. The Southeast is represented by Kosisochukwu Praise Bosah, Adaobi Patience Ayogu and Daniel Kelechi Nnamani; the Southwest by Ezekiel Adeshina Adebisi and Eunice Iyanuoluwa Olasunkanmi; and the South-South by Angelica Onagiekhuwemhe Enegbuma and Shedrack James Owen.
From the Northwest are Yahaya Abubakar, Hassan Suleiman Haruna and Rashida Bafashi Abubakar, while the Northeast is represented by Gabriel Mohammed Shuwa and Mohammed Baba Kale. Augustina Enuwa Abakpa and Muhammad Saheed Afodun represent the North-Central zone.
According to the statement, the fellows come from diverse academic backgrounds, including political science, law, mass communication, medicine and other science-based disciplines. The group comprises undergraduates, postgraduate students and early-career professionals from leading Nigerian universities.
The six-month fellowship is structured as a comprehensive leadership and policy development programme. It will begin with virtual learning sessions, followed by sustained mentorship and engagement, and culminate in an intensive in-person component.
Participants are expected to gain practical exposure to governance challenges and institutional reform strategies through structured training, mentorship and hands-on policy work.
The launch of the 2026 cohort underscores the Athena Centre’s commitment to strengthening policy capacity and building a pipeline of reform-oriented leaders equipped to drive meaningful change in Nigeria.
