Applications are now open for the WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026, a fully funded, 12-month transformational leadership programme designed for mid-career women working in public and global health in Nigeria.
This Leadership Journey creates a safe and empowering space for women to explore authentic leadership through reflection, vulnerability, and deep peer connection. Participants gain practical tools to strengthen their voice, presence, and influence, while being supported by a powerful community of peers, mentors, and coaches.
About the Leadership Journey
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey brings together mid to senior-level women across diverse disciplines and sectors within the health ecosystem. The programme focuses on the mindset shift required to address complex public health challenges in Nigeria and globally.
Participants engage in a blend of in-person and virtual learning experiences, including experiential learning residencies, group mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and a self-directed health leadership project. On completion, participants become Global Fellows, joining a lifelong network of women leaders committed to advancing women’s leadership in health at local, regional, and global levels.
Programme Structure
The Leadership Journey includes two in-person experiential learning residencies, Immersion and Lift-Off, virtual learning sessions, virtual group mentoring, virtual one-on-one coaching, and a self-directed leadership project focused on health impact.
The programme runs from May 2026 to April 2027. In-person residencies include the 3-day Immersion from 20–22 July 2026 and the 2-day Lift-Off from 20–21 April 2027.
Cost
The programme is fully funded. All programme costs, including travel and accommodation for in-person residencies, are covered.
Why This Matters
Women continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership across public and global health. This Leadership Journey equips Nigerian women leaders with the confidence, tools, networks, and influence needed to drive systemic change, strengthen health systems, and shape policies that improve population health outcomes. It is a rare opportunity to grow as a leader while remaining grounded in purpose, community, and impact.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
Identify as a woman
Be a national of Nigeria
Reside and work within Nigeria
Work in a role focused on public health policy, practice, and/or research
Serve populations at the national level in Nigeria through public health practice, research and innovation, policy creation or implementation, or management of teams, departments, projects, or grants
Be a mid-career leader with 10–20 years of experience in public health
Possess strong written and verbal English skills beyond basic or technical communication, including the ability to engage in reflective dialogue and complex interpersonal conversations
Be able to commit fully to all mandatory programme touchpoints
Be living within the West Africa Standard Time zone for at least 75 percent of the programme duration
Be willing to participate in in-person residencies and virtual sessions as scheduled
How to Apply
The 2026 Nigeria Leadership Journey runs from May 2026 to April 2027.
All core touchpoints are mandatory, and applicants are advised to review the programme dates carefully before applying to ensure full availability.
Interested and eligible candidates should apply through the official application portal provided by WomenLift Health and WILAN Nigeria.
This is a unique opportunity for Nigerian women in public and global health to deepen their leadership capacity, expand their influence, and join a global community of changemakers shaping the future of health.
