Deadline: December 31, 2025
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026 is a prestigious, fully funded leadership development programme designed to strengthen women’s leadership in Nigeria’s public and global health sector. This 12-month transformational journey equips mid-career women with the skills, confidence, and networks required to lead change and influence health systems at national and global levels.
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026 brings together experiential learning, coaching, mentoring, and real-world leadership practice to support women who are ready to step into higher leadership roles and drive impact across health policy, research, and practice.
About the Programme
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026 is a collaborative initiative between WomenLift Health and the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN). It is specifically tailored to the Nigerian context and focuses on advancing women’s leadership capacity within health systems.
This immersive programme combines in-person residencies, virtual learning, and self-directed leadership projects, enabling participants to apply learning directly to real challenges within their organisations and communities.
Programme Duration and Timeline
- Programme length: 12 months
- Programme period: May 2026 – April 2027
- The journey includes a blend of virtual engagements and mandatory in-person leadership residencies.
Participants are expected to fully commit to all components throughout the programme duration.
Who Should Apply
The programme is designed for mid-career women leaders working in the health sector in Nigeria.
Eligible Applicants Must:
- Be women professionals working in public health, global health, health policy, research, or related fields
- Have approximately 10–20 years of professional experience
- Be Nigerian nationals
- Be living and working in Nigeria
- Currently hold or be transitioning into leadership or decision-making roles
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing health outcomes and gender-inclusive leadership
What the Programme Offers
Participants selected for the WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026 will receive comprehensive support, including:
Fully Funded Participation
- All programme-related costs are covered, including learning materials, coaching, and in-person residency expenses such as travel and accommodation.
Leadership Residencies
- Two immersive in-person experiential residencies:
- Leadership Immersion
- Leadership Lift-Off
- These residencies focus on deep self-reflection, systems leadership, and collaborative learning.
Virtual Learning and Coaching
- Structured virtual learning sessions
- Group mentoring with peers and facilitators
- One-on-one executive coaching tailored to individual leadership goals
Health Leadership Project
- Each participant designs and implements a self-directed Health Leadership Project
- Projects address real-world health challenges and allow participants to apply leadership skills within their professional context.
Global Fellows Network
- Lifetime membership in the WomenLift Health Global Fellows Network
- Continued access to peer support, collaboration opportunities, and leadership resources beyond the programme year.
Why This Programme Matters
Women remain under-represented in senior leadership roles within health systems, despite making up a significant proportion of the workforce. The WomenLift Health x WILAN Nigeria Leadership Journey 2026 addresses this gap by empowering women with:
- Strategic leadership capabilities
- Increased confidence and influence
- Strong peer and global networks
- Practical tools to lead systemic change
Graduates of the programme are better positioned to influence policy, lead organisations, and improve health outcomes across Nigeria and beyond.
Application Deadline
- Deadline to apply: 31 December 2025
Early preparation is strongly encouraged due to the competitive nature of the programme.
Need Support With Your Application?
We provide professional support for proposal drafting, refining, and review, helping applicants clearly articulate their leadership journey, impact, and project ideas.
📩 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
