US consulate inducts 20 Nigerians as Carrington youth fellows

The Carrington Fellowship program of the United States consulate in Lagos has inducted 20 young Nigerians as fellows of its Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI).

The new fellows were inducted at the American guest quarters in Ikoyi on April 23, 2021.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Jennifer Foltz, deputy public affairs officer of the United States consulate, Lagos, said the program will help the inducted fellows to horn their skills and guide them to provide solutions to the challenges they identify in the society.

“You have become part of the U.S. government alumni family. So, beyond CYFI, you have a huge network, including the Fulbright Fellows, Mandela Washington Fellows, and International Visitors’ Leadership Program, among others,” she added.

On his part, Olusola Owonikoko, president of the Carrington Fellowship Network, said the fellowship is glad to welcome the new fellows into the program.

“We received over a thousand eligible applications, but we are glad to have selected and welcomed this cohort of 20 young Nigerians as 2021 CYFI Fellows. The next one year promises to be engaging and impactful for each of them, and the communities where they implement their projects,” he said.

Imade Iyamu, one of the newly inducted fellows, expressed her excitement at being a part of the fellowship.

“I’m excited to be part of the community and to join in creating very impactful projects with other change makers in Nigeria,” she said.

CYFI brings together Nigerian youth of exceptional vision, skills, and experience to design and implement projects that will have a positive impact on the society. 

The mission of the CYFI program is to empower youth in Nigeria to promote civil liberties, good governance, public health, education, and entrepreneurship.