Fifty fellows have graduated from the 2023 cohort of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a United States Consulate-powered yearly program in Nigeria, while 65 were inducted into the 2024 cohort.

The graduation ceremony, held in Lagos this week, showcased the achievements and growth of young Nigerians who have undergone intense training and are equipped with the experience to change their communities positively.

Speaking at the graduation celebration, United State Consul-General Will Stevens urged the graduating fellows to implement the skills the program provided them to become change-makers and advocates of progress.

“Today, we celebrate not just the end of a program but the beginning of a new chapter for these young leaders. The Carrington Youth Fellowship has provided them with the skills to become change-makers and advocates for progress,” Mr Stevens said.

“Their passion and dedication are a testament to the potential of youth to shape our world for the better,” he added.

Meanwhile, 65 new fellows were inducted into the 2024 cohort of the intensive one-year program, and the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative Alumni Network announced the expansion of the program to eight states to include: Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Rivers and Enugu states.

“As the torch of service and leadership is passed on to you, remember that the journey ahead is challenging. But as we’ve seen from our graduating fellows, it is also filled with extraordinary possibilities,” Mr Stevens said while inducting the 2024 cohort.