International Youth Day: US consulate to induct 50 Nigerians as Carrington fellows

To celebrate the United Nations International Youth Day (IYD), the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) of the US consulate general in Lagos is set to induct 50 Nigerians into its 2022-2023 programme cycle.

The organisation announced this in a statement issued by the US embassy on Friday.

Now in its 11th year, the CYFI programme, which only welcomed fellows in Lagos, has now expanded to Oyo and Ogun states, giving more opportunities for youths to join the US government network.

The project is an initiative of the US consulate general in Lagos and was launched in 2011, with the objective of bringing together Nigerian youths of “exceptional vision, skills, and experience” to design and implement projects that will have a positive impact on society.

Inspired by Walter Carrington, former US ambassador to Nigeria, who championed civil liberties, democracy, and created closer ties between the US and Nigeria, CYFI’s goal is to build the civic leadership capacity of young Nigerians through skill training, mentorship, and hands-on practical experience in civic engagement.

“Our fellows are extraordinary group of rising leaders in Nigeria who are making a positive impact in their communities,” Olusola Owonikoko, the programme’s president, said in the statement.

“The Carrington youth fellowship program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to strengthen their civic leadership capacity to lead and effect change in their communities.”

To further commemorate the IYD, the programme also inaugurated the #CarringtonYouthWeek as a volunteering platform for young Nigerians to plan and implement impact-focused activities in their local communities.

With over 130 participants, the #CarringtonYouthWeek has hosted various events addressing sustainable development goals across at least 10 Nigerian states, and has reached an estimated 5,000 people.

A formal announcement of fellows will be made on August 16 at the induction ceremony of the new cohorts holding at the US consulate general in Victoria Island, Lagos.