The Young Innovation Leaders (YIL) Fellowship is an

initiative In political science, an initiative (also known as a popular initiative or citizens' initiative) is a means by which a petition signed by a certain number of registered voters can force a government to choose either to enact a law or hold a pu ...

of Hutzpa Centre for Innovation and Development aimed at training and mentoring young professionals in

innovation leadership Innovation leadership is a philosophy and technique that combines different leadership styles to influence employees to produce creative ideas, products, and services. The key role in the practice of innovation leadership is the innovation leader. D ...

. YIL Fellowship runs mainly in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

and in

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

and is one of the reputable national youth programs in both countries. YIL has engaged multilateral organizations the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, and organizations such as hospitals and universities in solving their practical challenges during the fellowship using its

project-based learning Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Students le ...

model. It is recognized by the African Union Development Agency ( AUDA-NEPAD) as a model youth development program.

History

The YIL Fellowship was founded in the year 2018 by Dr. Obichi Obiajunwa in Nigeria. By the year 2019, The YIL Fellowship had opened its branch in Accra, Ghana with over 200 received applications.

Programs

The Y.I.L Fellowship is an annual four-month leadership program in innovation management designed to enable young professionals between the age of 20- 30 achieve their highest career dreams and inspire innovation in their fields. The YIL Fellowship Program is designed in a three-staged

strategy Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "art of troop leader; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the "art ...

: selection, training and mentoring. The selection stage, an important stage of the program entails selection of based on the measurable and extensible Seeds of Excellence they have grown. The best candidate from each group will be selected. After the selection stage is the Training stage, a key factor required in the program with the goal of using the most productive and comprehensive means possible to educate and preserve the knowledge and principles of success of the participants. This training approach is results-oriented. In the mentorship stage, the final stage of the program the YIL Fellowship creates an effective means of communication with successful and experienced professionals in the required field of the candidate. The YIL Fellowship four-month leadership program has been held each year consecutively since its foundation till date.

References

{{Reflist Fellowships