LEAP Africa launched the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards in 2004 to celebrate outstanding Nigerian youth who are leading change efforts in their local communities. The objectives of the Awards are to:
• Identify young Nigerians who have initiated change efforts that are focused on improving the lives of others.
• Encourage and support these youth in their efforts.
• Showcase their impact on local communities and demonstrate that youth can effectively serve as change leaders in Nigeria.

To date, the 60 winners in the 18 to 30 years category have been recognized through the Awards, enabling them gain credibility, exposure, financial and in-kind support to expand the scope of their initiatives.

In 2008, LEAP expanded the scope of the Awards to include beneficiaries of its Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) programme in public secondary schools. These are students that have completed the one-year Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) programme designed to equip them with leadership and life skills. The programme also gives them an opportunity to serve as change agents in their local communities through the implementation of social change projects in areas including Education, Health, Science and Technology, Business, Economics and Development, Media, Law and Human Rights as well as Environment. As a result, LEAP recognizes and celebrates outstanding projects initiated by the students during the academic year.

The 8TH Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
On November 24, 2011, the 8th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards was held at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos.
The Awards which has celebrated 60 outstanding youth in the 18 to 30 years category also recognized the amazing efforts of students' beneficiaries of the Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) Programme in public secondary schools in Anambra, Lagos and Ogun States.

The Awards ceremony, themed "Engaged for Change", provided an opportunity to inspire youth to stand up for change in their immediate environment. During his speech, the Keynote Speaker, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Minister for Youth Development, encouraged the five Award winners, who are young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 30 to remain committed to their positive initiatives across Nigeria. He also enjoined Nigerian youth to be more positive, optimistic and involved in change efforts. The second speaker, Mr. Tonye Cole, CEO, SAHARA Group Nigeria, challenged the youth present to be prepared to strive for the change that they hope to see in Nigeria.

In addition, LEAP celebrated beneficiaries of its Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) Programme in public secondary schools in Anambra, Lagos and Ogun States at the event. Outstanding schools and student groups were recognized for their commitment to improving the lives of individuals within their local communities. The event ended, following a presentation on LEAP's vision for its Leadership Institute, a world-class facility to host LEAP conferences, major events, seminars and programmes to a caliber in line with its vision.

At the end of the presentation LEAP's Founder, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, solicited the support of guests for the Leadership Institute and the Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) Programme in public schools. Given the amount of funds required for these projects, LEAP is continuing its fundraising drive beyond the Award ceremony. To this end, LEAP will appreciate your support for these projects. Please fill out the attached donation card, if you would like to make a commitment to LEAP.

+ Pictures from the event
+ Meet the winners of the 8th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards

The 7TH Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
On November 11, 2010, the 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards was held at the Shell Hall Muson Centre, Lagos. The Awards which have celebrated sixty (60) outstanding youth in the 18 to 30 years category also recognized the amazing efforts of students’ beneficiaries of the Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) programme in public secondary schools.

The top five winners in the 18-30 category received cash rewards to support their work in their local communities and schools across the country. They also benefitted from the media attention generated through the event which is expected to provide the winners with access to donors and organizations working in related.

During the awards ceremony, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Pioneer Chairman EFFC, delivered the keynote address titled, “Our Time is now; Positioning Nigerian Youth for Change”. In addition, Late Ms. Fatima Olayinka a former LEAP alumnus, in recognition of her dedication and hard work, was awarded a post humus service award.

The awards which was supported with funding from the Ford Foundation, attracted over 800 guest, including representatives from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

+ Pictures from the event
+ Meet the winners of the 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
+ The winning projects

6th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
LEAP Celebrates Ten Outstanding Young Nigerians

Recognizing the need to support, appreciate and offer mentoring services to youth who have exhibited outstanding leadership traits, LEAP Africa on November 19, 2009, held the 6th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards at the Shell Hall MUSON Centre Lagos. The Awards ceremonies which have celebrated fifty-five (55) outstanding youth between 18 and 30 years since 2004, celebrated an additional ten young Nigerians who have made positive contributions to the development of their local communities. As well as the recognition of the efforts of the beneficiaries of its Leadership, Ethics and Civics (LEC) Programme in public schools.

Mallam Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and LEAP's Advisory Committee Member, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, delivered a speech on Youth and Economic Development. Mr. Sesan Awonoki, CEO, Anchor Consulting, delivered the keynote address titled, "Today's Decisions, Tomorrow's Realities: Maximizing Opportunities in Difficult Times." In addition, Mr. Marcel Van De Pas of Nokia and Ms. Julie Hackett of International Youth Foundation delivered inspiring speeches on youth development in Nigeria.

The high point of the evening was the presentation of the Awards to the winners, following a citation on the impact of their initiatives in their local communities. In addition, the occasion provided an avenue for LEAP to recognize outstanding secondary schools, teachers and social change projects from Anambra, Lagos and Ogun States.

The winners of the 6th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards include:
Aboderin Tunde
Adesokan Balkiss
Anyeagbu Frances
Alo Yejide
Okafor Peter
Inalegbu Frank
Isikwenu Oghenefego
Odiase Emmanuel
Oyelola Mayokun
Rotimi Akin

+ Pictures from the event!
+Meet the ten winners of the 6th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
+Past Awards

Youth Programmes
Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards
Employability Programme
Integrity Institute
Leadership Ethics and Civics
Youth Leadership Programme