By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

A civil society organisation, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has awarded fellowship grants worth N15 million to 12 young Nigerians to implement civic engagement projects across North Central Nigeria.

The grants were unveiled under the maiden edition of the Civic Influencers Fellowship (CIF), an initiative aimed at strengthening youth participation in civic processes and democratic engagement through digital platforms and community-based advocacy.

The programme, which targets young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 25, seeks to equip emerging civic influencers with technical skills, financial support and institutional backing to use their platforms to promote civic awareness and democratic participation.

According to the organisers, the fellowship began with a residential boot camp held in Abuja from March 1 to 5, 2026, where participants underwent intensive training sessions on personal brand development, storytelling for civic engagement, policy literacy, gender mainstreaming, electoral management, artificial intelligence and resource mobilisation.

At the end of the training, the fellows presented community-based civic project proposals, which formed the basis for the allocation of the N15 million sub-grants to support the implementation of their initiatives across communities in North Central Nigeria.

The 12 selected fellows include 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.

Founder and Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Funke Adeoye, said the fellowship was created to harness the growing influence of young Nigerians in digital spaces for civic development.

She noted that young individuals who command large online audiences are uniquely positioned to shape conversations, promote civic awareness and mobilise citizens who are often disengaged from formal democratic processes.

“The question is not whether influence exists but who wields it, and to what end,” Adeoye said, stressing that the initiative aims to channel youth influence toward advancing democratic accountability and public participation.

Also speaking, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera, said the partnership reflects the embassy’s commitment to supporting civil society development and youth leadership in Nigeria.

He emphasised that young people remain critical to the country’s democratic future, adding that empowering them with the right tools and opportunities would help bridge the gap between citizens and governance institutions.

Over the next six months, the fellows are expected to implement civic engagement projects in their communities, targeting groups that have traditionally been excluded from formal civic participation.

HBBA said the initiative demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when civil society organisations and international partners collaborate to promote democratic accountability and active citizenship in Nigeria.