Church on the Street NG Introduces Africa Civic Leadership Initiative

The Church on the Street NG has officially launched its 2026 Civic Africa Fellowship, a comprehensive leadership and global citizenship programme specifically designed to empower young Africans. This initiative aims to equip them with the essential skills, knowledge, and networks required to drive meaningful change across the continent.

In a statement released to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the organisation highlighted that the fellowship's core objective is to transform young individuals into active citizens, influential policy shapers, and effective solution providers within their respective communities. The statement further noted that this programme arrives at a crucial time, given Africa's status as home to the world’s youngest population. It seeks to reframe the role of young people, moving them from merely being recipients of development aid to becoming key architects of social transformation.

The fellowship is poised to unite exceptional young leaders from diverse backgrounds, all sharing a strong passion for leadership, civic engagement, community development, social innovation, and public service. According to Itofa Ivarah, the Founder of Church on the Street NG, Africa's future will not be dictated by its challenges, but rather by the calibre of leaders prepared to confront them head-on.

Ivarah elaborated that the programme draws its inspiration from established global citizenship principles and civic leadership models. These frameworks encourage participants to develop critical thinking, uphold ethical conduct, and engage constructively with both local and international challenges. The curriculum for participants will include intensive mentorship, a series of leadership workshops, collaborative projects, and a dedicated residency, all structured to enhance their leadership capabilities and civic participation.

Furthermore, the organisation has extended an invitation to development partners, educators, policymakers, civil society organisations, and other youth-focused institutions to collaborate. This call for partnership is aimed at fostering a more robust ecosystem for youth leadership and civic involvement throughout Africa. The introduction of the Civic Africa Fellowship marks a significant milestone in Church on the Street NG’s ongoing mission to empower communities, cultivate emerging leaders, and forge sustainable pathways for social transformation across the African continent.