TFN opens applications for 2026 Fellowship

By Damiete Braide

A non-profit organisation working to address educational inequity in Nigeria, Teach For Nigeria (TFN), has opened applications for its 2026 fellowship.

The announcement was made during a virtual launch event themed, “One Vision, Endless Possibilities,” which brought together fellows, alumni, education stakeholders and prospective applicants from across the country.

Speaking at the event, TFN chief executive officer, Molade Adeniyi, said the theme reflects the organisation’s long-term commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, irrespective of socio-economic background or geographical location.

“Our vision is for every Nigerian child to access and attain an excellent education,” Adeniyi said. “While the impact we seek is the same, the pathways to achieving it are diverse. This diversity is what creates endless possibilities for our children and our education system.”

The 2026 Fellowship represents a major milestone for TFN as it prepares to onboard its 10th cohort since inception. According to the organisation, the programme would recruit 550 outstanding young fellows and 100 school leaders, who would be deployed to underserved public schools across Lagos and Ogun states.

Since its launch in 2017, TFN has placed 2,965 leaders in more than 6,000 schools nationwide, impacting over 446,000 learners. The organisation added that 85 percent of its alumni continue to play active roles in expanding educational opportunities within classrooms, schools and communities across Nigeria.

The launch event also attracted participation from key government officials and education stakeholders. Among them were Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State and Mrs Victoria Peregrino, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

Both speakers highlighted the importance of collaboration between government institutions and education-focused organisations in driving sustainable reform and educational equity.

Representatives from Lagos TESCOM, the Ogun State Ministry of Education (MoEST), Ogun TESCOM and the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were also present at the event, reinforcing inter-agency support for the Fellowship’s objectives.

Eligibility for the 2026 Fellowship includes Nigerian citizenship, applicants aged between 18 and 35 years, possession of a university degree with a minimum of Second-Class Honours and at least five O’Level credits including Mathematics and English. Applicants are also required to have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on or before July 2026.

Successful candidates will receive leadership training and professional development support, a competitive stipend, health insurance and other allowances. Fellows will also gain access to a lifelong network of leaders working to drive systemic change in Nigeria’s education sector.

As part of its recruitment drive, TFN has introduced innovations for the 2026 application cycle, including AI-powered application reviews, campus activation programmes, an alumni ambassador initiative and a Fellowship Application Social Media Challenge aimed at expanding outreach.

TFN continues to recruit and develop talented individuals to teach in underserved schools, with a focus on creating measurable and lasting impact across Nigeria’s education system.