Fifty Nigerians have been inducted into the 2022/2023 cohort of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), at a ceremony attended by Will Stevens, the U.S. consul general.
During his remarks at the induction ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city by population, Stevens encouraged the new CYFI fellows to continue to be a catalyst for positive change in their local communities as they foster economic growth, enhance democratic governance, and strengthen civil society structures.
“No nation can thrive if it neglects to include its youth in governance, political and economic platforms, wealth creation and poverty alleviation. You have the responsibility placed on your shoulders to serve as strong, positive role models for Nigeria,” said Stevens to the newly inducted fellows.
To date, CYFI has graduated 174 outstanding young Nigerians who share a common goal of positively impacting Nigerian society. This year, the association initiated a partnership with the Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation and Access Bank to increase the number of fellows in Lagos State from 25 to 50. The expansion was also extended on the fellowship to Ogun and Oyo states, respectively.
CYFI is a dynamic youth-based initiative launched in 2011 by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos. It brings together Nigerian youth, aged 21-35, of exceptional skills and experience to design and implement projects over a 12-month period that will help enhance Nigerian society in the fields of health, education, civil liberties, environment, and economic empowerment.
CYFI is named after Walter Carrington, a former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria. Ambassador Carrington was a champion for civil liberties, democracy and closer ties between the United States and Nigeria. Thus, CYFI fellows are committed to putting the ideals of Walter Carrington into practice.
