Funded African Women's Leadership Course

The Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada runs this six day, in-person leadership course for African women leaders in Abuja, Nigeria, co-hosted with the International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria. Participants learn practical leadership tools for economic agency, justice and inclusion, with a focus on community-led approaches to social change. Every accepted participant receives a full bursary for tuition, accommodation, breakfast and lunch; travel to Abuja is not covered.

What you get:

• A full bursary covering course tuition, accommodation, breakfast and lunch for the six days in Abuja
• The graduation celebration supper
• Co-facilitation by Saliwe Mutetwa-Zakariya and Kate Ibeanusi
• A peer network of women leaders from across Africa

What you'll do:

• Analyse and apply leadership frameworks and tools to challenges women leaders face
• Identify community practices that support women's leadership and socio-economic development
• Reflect on your own leadership experience to name your strengths and motivations
• Design and present a leadership action plan for your own context

Key dates:

• Applications close January 15, 2027
• Arrive in Abuja May 16, 2027
• Course runs May 17 to May 22, 2027
• Depart May 23, 2027

More information:

• Applications are reviewed after the closing date
• Travel to and from Abuja, visa fees, evening meals, cancellation insurance and incidental costs are the participant's; no travel bursaries are available for this course. Coady publishes no amounts for these
• Emergency medical insurance is strongly recommended
• Questions go to coadyadmit@stfx.ca

• Women living in a country in Africa; applications from outside Africa will not be considered
• Emerging leaders from mid-level civil society organisations working on the co-operative movement, economic empowerment, protecting children, education, creating assets, health or gender equality
• Seeking to build the skills needed to enact economic agency so women can build sustainable livelihoods
• Resume or CV and a statement of interest answering two set questions (both mandatory)
• Two professional references, one of them a supervisor or senior staff member at your current organisation
• Able to attend in person in Abuja, May 16 to 23, 2027