Scholarship Overview
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Program Overview
The 2027 WomenLift Health Nigeria Leadership Journey is a transformational 12-month program designed for mid-career women leaders working across health and interconnected sectors. Delivered in partnership with WILAN Global, the program combines virtual learning with two in-person residencies to build authentic leadership, expand professional networks, and develop practical skills for systems-level health impact.
The Journey runs from May 2027 to April 2028 and requires approximately 4–8 hours of commitment monthly, totaling roughly 87 learning hours. All costs—including travel and lodging for in-person sessions—are fully covered.
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What Makes This Program Distinctive
- Health++ focus: Recognizes that sustainable health improvements require coordinated action across climate change, food systems, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, economic policy, gender equity, and technology
- Hybrid format: Virtual touchpoints combined with two mandatory in-person residencies
- Personalized support: One-on-one executive coaching, group mentoring, and 360-degree leadership assessments
- Applied learning: Each participant designs and implements a Health Leadership Project
- Lifelong network: Global Fellows join a permanent community of health leaders across Africa and worldwide
Key Dates and Structure
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | September 25, 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Program start | May 2027 |
| Immersion (3-day residency) | July 28–30, 2027 (travel July 27 & 31) |
| Lift-Off (2-day closing) | April 26–27, 2028 (travel April 25 & 28) |
| Program conclusion | April 2028 |
All touchpoints are mandatory. The in-person residency locations will be communicated to selected participants closer to the dates.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all criteria to apply:
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- Identify as a woman
- Demonstrate fluency and confidence in written and verbal English, including ability to articulate emotions, participate in reflective dialogue, and engage in complex interpersonal conversations
- Citizen who resides and works in Nigeria
- Will be living in WAT (West Africa Time, UTC+1) ±1 hour for at least 75% of the program
- Mid-career leader with 10–25 years of work experience in health++ sectors
WomenLift Health actively seeks diverse cohorts across sectors (public, private, academia, NGO, philanthropy), disciplines, and cultural backgrounds. Applications from minorities and historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged.
The Health Leadership Project
A core element of the Journey, the Health Leadership Project (HLP) allows participants to design and lead an initiative that:
- Improves health outcomes while integrating gender considerations
- Applies and enhances leadership skills through practical implementation
- Addresses public health issues through a systems lens, connecting structures, policies, stakeholders, and root causes
Participants develop a Theory of Change, stakeholder mapping, and implementation plan with guidance from mentors, reviewers, and health sector experts. Projects need not be fully completed by program end and should continue beyond the Journey.
Application Components
Complete applications require:
- Online application form with personal and professional information
- Detailed Health Leadership Project proposal
- Letter of recommendation from your supervisor, or if unavailable, a senior leader at your organization or respected health community leader who has worked directly with you. The letter should address: your significant contributions demonstrating leadership capacity; your strongest distinguishing personal quality; and how this Journey will enhance your leadership knowledge and skills
Important: The HLP description carries significant weight in selection. Successful applications demonstrate original thinking, mission-orientation, and leadership potential—not generic or AI-generated content.
What the Fellowship Covers
- All program costs (fully funded)
- Travel and accommodation for two in-person residencies
- Executive coaching and mentoring
- Leadership assessments including 360-rater evaluation
- Access to global network of WomenLift Health Global Fellows
Program Partners
- WomenLift Health: Program lead
- WILAN Global: Implementing partner focused on easing women’s access to leadership resources
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Curriculum design and facilitation
- New Venture Fund (NVF): 501(c)(3) public charity providing operational resources
- Gates Foundation: Sponsor providing program funding
Advice for Zimbabwe and SADC Applicants
While this specific cohort is Nigeria-based, women leaders from Zimbabwe and SADC countries should monitor WomenLift Health announcements for regional programs. The organization has previously run Leadership Journeys in Southern Africa (the 2026 Southern Africa Leadership Journey runs March 2026–February 2027). When regional programs open, the same rigorous preparation applies: develop a concrete, systems-oriented Health Leadership Project, secure a substantive recommendation letter, and demonstrate authentic leadership narrative in your application.
Official scholarship page: https://womenlifthealth.org/2027-nigeria-leadership-journey
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
