- Application is Closed!
Become the Man You Needed
DearMen Fellowship is a six month Boys Champions programme for young Nigerian men who want to become allies for gender equality. It is not built to make men more powerful but to change what they do with the power they already have.
- About the Fellowship
Nigeria's First Fellowship For Positive Masculinity
It is the first programme in the country built to help young men aged 18 to 35 rethink masculinity itself, not as a soft add on to leadership training, but as the work that matters most. Fellows leave ready to lead with care instead of control.
Over six months of mentorship and accountability circles, fellows learn to question the norms they grew up with, sit with the discomfort of that, and carry what they learn back into their homes and communities.
Fully Funded
The Fellowship is fully funded. There is no cost to apply or participate for qualifying Nigerian men, regardless of background or location.
What you will gain
01
A curriculum built around masculinity, gender, and emotional honesty, not generic leadership theory.
02
Mentorship sessions and peer accountability circles
03
The emotional tools most men are never given, including how to name what you feel and handle it without passing it on.
04
The opportunity to design and lead a real community initiative
05
₦500,000 will be provided as funding for selected fellows to undertake their community projects.
06
Induction into our National Male Allies Network
07
Induction into Boys Champions State Champions Programme
Duration
June – November 2026
Format
Hybrid - virtual + community engagement
Mentorship
Bi-weekly sessions + accountability circles
Deadline
Application is Closed.
- The Problem We are Solving
Too many young men were handed a version of manhood that quietly hurts them and everyone around them.
Harmful social norms shape how men show up – in relationships, communities, and positions of power. Something has to change. And it starts with men who are willing to lead differently.
- How It Works
What the six months hold
Leadership & Advocacy Development
Learn to speak and act on gender equality in the rooms where men usually stay silent, from your home to your workplace to your faith community.
Mentorship, Circles & Emotional Well-being
Engage weekly in honest, structured conversations around personal growth, mental health, healthy masculinity, and emotional awareness.
Community Action & Project Funding
Design and run a real community project. In each cohort, six carefully selected fellows receive ₦500,000 and hands on support to make it happen.
- Eligibility
Who should apply?
You're a strong candidate if:
- A man aged 18–35 years, residing in Nigeria
- Genuinely interested in gender equality, mental health, and positive masculinity
- Ready to challenge harmful norms and build something meaningful
- Able to commit to both virtual and in-person fellowship activities
- Has access to a mobile device and internet connectivity
- Ready to lead or support a community initiative
Especially suited for:
- Emerging male leaders and youth advocates
- Men active in community, youth, or faith-based work
- Men already doing the work of mentoring younger boys
- Men ready to become active allies against gender-based violence
- How To Apply
Three simple steps.
Submit Your Application
Fill out the online application form. It takes about 10 minutes. Share a bit about yourself, your community, and why you want to be part of this fellowship.
Review & Shortlisting
Our team reviews all applications. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a brief conversation to learn more about your motivations and goals.
Join the Fellowship
Selected fellows are welcomed into the programme. You'll receive your onboarding materials, meet your cohort, and begin the 6- month transformation journey.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know.
What is the Dear Men Fellowship?
DearMen Fellowship is a structured, cohort-based leadership and community action programme for carefully selected young men across Nigeria. Through leadership training, weekly mentorship, and hands-on community projects, the Fellowship develops ethical leaders, community advocates, and emotionally resilient change-makers. A distinctive feature of the Fellowship is dedicated project funding for six fellows who demonstrate exceptional leadership readiness and community impact potential.
Who can apply?
The Fellowship is open to young men aged 18–35 from across all six geo-political zones in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. We specifically welcome applications from emerging leaders, youth advocates, and young men involved in community, faith-based, or youth-led initiatives including those from underserved and marginalised communities. What matters most is your leadership potential, your rootedness in community, and your genuine commitment to positive change.
Do I need a university degree to apply?
No. DearMen Fellowship welcomes applicants from a full range of educational backgrounds from secondary school graduates and vocational trainees to university students and early-career professionals. Your education level is not a barrier. We are looking for character, community engagement, and the drive to grow.
What does the programme involve day to day?
Fellows participate in interactive virtual training sessions covering leadership, advocacy, positive masculinity, and emotional well-being. Each fellow receives a structured two-hour mentorship session every week for the full three months of the programme. In the final month, all fellows design and implement community action projects in their local contexts. Six selected fellows additionally implement individually funded projects with dedicated resources and technical support.
What are the funded community projects?
At the midpoint of the Fellowship, six fellows are selected through a rigorous team-led assessment to receive dedicated project funding. These fellows design and implement individual community impact initiatives addressing locally identified challenges — from youth violence and harmful gender norms to mentorship gaps and social exclusion. Selection is based on leadership demonstration, project readiness, and community rootedness.
Is the Fellowship free to participate in?
Yes. The Fellowship is provided at no cost to fellows.
How are fellows selected?
Applications go through a transparent, merit-based selection process guided by predefined criteria including leadership potential, community involvement, personal motivation, and commitment to positive social change. Successful applicants are notified and invited to an onboarding and orientation session before the programme begins. All decisions are made by a programme team guided by equity and geographic representation.
What happens after the Fellowship ends?
Fellows join a growing National Male Allies Network – emerging male leaders committed to positive social change across Nigeria and beyond. Through this network, fellows continue to mentor peers, engage in advocacy, and deepen their community impact long after the programme concludes. The Fellowship is designed to be the beginning of a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Each cohort becomes the backbone of the next.
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