HBBA supports 12 young civic influencers with fellowship grants across North Central
Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has launched the maiden edition of the Civic Influencers Fellowship (CIF), committing fifteen million naira (NGN 15,000,000) in
Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has launched the maiden edition of the Civic Influencers Fellowship (CIF), committing fifteen million naira (NGN 15,000,000) in sub-grants to twelve young Nigerians selected to lead community-based civic projects across North Central Nigeria.
In a statement by the Communications Officer, Hope Behind Bars Africa, Ogechi Ogwuma, the Civic Influencers Fellowship was created to nurture civic participation among young Nigerians whose lives and work are increasingly shaped by digital spaces and the trusted voices within them.
"HBBA believes that young individuals who have gained the confidence of large audiences are uniquely positioned to foster civic awareness, encourage democratic participation, and advance policy advocacy among demographics that are otherwise disengaged from formal civic processes," the statement reads.
Ogwuna said the Fellowship is therefore designed to provide these young influencers aged 18-25 years, with the technical capacity, financial support, and institutional support necessary to deploy their platforms in service of the public good.
According to the statement, the Fellowship commenced with a residential bootcamp held from 1st to 5th March 2026 in Abuja Nigeria, where all fellows participated in facilitated sessions from expert facilitators covering Personal Brand development, Social Media and Storytelling for Civic Power, Policy Literacy, Gender Mainstreaming and Electoral Management in Civic Influencing, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Resourcing Civic Influence, and Sustaining Civic Influence.
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At the conclusion of the bootcamp, fellows pitched their community civic project proposals, on the basis of which the fifteen million naira in sub-grants were won.
The twelve selected fellows, drawn from across North Central Nigeria and representing disciplines including law, public health, climate science, education, the arts, communications, and community development, are: Hauwa Abubakar, Maryam Gidado, Chidera Nwokike, Godwin Lasisi, Kemisola Ipele, Amuda Abbas Oluwadamilola, Alih Zainab Inikpi, Joseph Agama, Adole Joseph, Aanuoluwapo Emmanuel, Adeiza Jeffrey Umoru, and Akinfe Temitayo David.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy's financial support and partnership to this Fellowship is a significant demonstration of sustained international partnership in Nigeria's civil society development. This investment reflects a shared conviction that young people are the future of Nigeria and, when properly resourced and supported, are capable of closing the gap between citizens and the institutions that govern them.
"The question is not whether influence exists but who wields it, and to what end?" - Funke Adeoye, Executive Director and Founder, Hope Behind Bars Africa was quoted.
You are young, and the future belongs to you, what you want to do with it is in your hands today - His Excellency, Ambassador Svein Baera, Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria said according to the statement.
"Over the next six months, the twelve fellows will design and implement their civic projects across North Central Nigeria, reaching audiences that have historically been outside the reach of formal civic engagement efforts. Hope Behind Bars Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to building an informed, active, and participatory citizenry, and the Civic Influencers Fellowship stands as a demonstration of what becomes possible when civil society organisations and international partners align their resources toward a common vision of democratic accountability and civic empowerment in Nigeria," the statement reads.