By Sunday Ani
The Morehead-Cain Foundation, renowned for its pioneering merit-based scholarship and leadership development programmes, has announced its expansion beyond the United States for the first time, with Nigeria as a part of its inaugural cohort.
The expansion was made possible through a partnership with The Afara Initiative, a leading force in youth leadership development and economic empowerment.
Through the collaboration, Afara has spearheaded the rigorous selection process for the 2025 Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship Programme in Nigeria, identifying and supporting the country’s most promising young leaders to apply for the programme. Vice Chancellors from leading Nigerian universities have played a pivotal role in identifying exceptional candidates, working closely with Afara.
President of the Foundation, Chris Bradford, said: “We are thrilled to partner with The Afara Initiative as we expand the Morehead-Cain Fellowship beyond the US.
“Nigeria is home to an extraordinary pool of talented and ambitious young leaders, and we are excited to support them in developing the skills, networks and experiences necessary to drive positive change and bring their knowledge back to their home institutions.”
As part of the selection process, Afara brought together key stakeholders from the university management, and business leaders along with the Foundation’s team at an exclusive event in Lagos.
The event hosted Vice Chancellors and Deans from Nigeria’s leading universities, including University of Lagos, Caleb University, Lead City University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Akure, and Elizade University. The event highlighted the partnership’s potential to redefine leadership development across Africa, ensuring that the selected exceptional students gain access to a 12-month experience in the United States, equipping them with the skills, networks and global exposure needed to drive systemic change upon their return.
According to the founder of Afara, Lara Rabiu, the partnership is a game-changer for Afara and young Nigerian leaders.
She said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to bridging local talent with global opportunities and ensuring that Nigeria’s brightest minds gain access to the resources, networks and leadership skills necessary to compete and thrive internationally.”
The Morehead-Cain Programme, based at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has a legacy of
developing exceptional leaders through fully funded educational, professional and global learning experiences. With this expansion, it aims to cultivate a diverse, global network of leaders, who will contribute to their home countries and the world at large.
In addition to the partnership, Afara is launching its 2025 application cycle for flagship programmes, including the Bridge Fellowship and Pathway Career Accelerators, further strengthening opportunities for Nigerian students to excel in leadership and career development.
Rabiu said: “We believe this partnership will open doors for Nigerian students to contribute meaningfully on a global scale. We are excited to continue transforming lives and shaping future leaders through this collaboration.