Developing Talent for Greater Impact

A 12-month, nonfinancial mentorship fellowship connecting Nigerian undergraduates with experienced professionals for purposeful guidance, practical development, and career growth.

Apply for Fellowship
About the Fellowship

About the Fellowship

Discover the purpose of MOFP, its personalized mentorship model, and the 12-month development journey designed for undergraduates.

Apply for Fellowship

Apply

Explore undergraduate eligibility, application dates, selection criteria, and how to join the 12-month mentorship fellowship.

Our Fellows

Our Fellows

Discover the experiences and achievements of our undergraduate fellows across various universities.

Developing Potential. Shaping Purposeful Futures.

University education builds essential knowledge, yet many undergraduates have limited opportunities to learn directly from professionals who understand the realities of their chosen fields. Without informed guidance, the transition from academic study to professional life can be difficult to navigate.

The Michael Oyelakin Fellowship Program (MOFP) exists to bridge that gap. Through structured, one-to-one mentorship, the fellowship connects promising Nigerian undergraduates with experienced professionals who can help them explore career pathways, develop practical skills, make informed decisions, and pursue meaningful personal and professional growth.

Our vision is a generation of young people equipped not only with academic qualifications, but also with the confidence, judgment, relationships, and sense of responsibility to contribute positively within their professions and communities.

The MOFP Fellowship Commitment

  • Personalized guidance from a mentor aligned, where feasible, with the fellow’s academic discipline or professional interests.
  • A 12-month mentorship relationship with at least 12 hours of mentor engagement over the year, ordinarily one hour each month.
  • Practical learning through goal-setting, skill development, and a manageable project or portfolio outcome.
  • Professional insight, ethical development, and signposting to relevant learning and career opportunities.
Note: MOFP is a nonfinancial fellowship. Participation does not include a tuition award, stipend, or guarantee of employment, internships, admission, or postgraduate funding.

A Year of Mentorship. A Foundation for Growth.

The fellowship follows a flexible, four-phase development roadmap. Fellows and mentors adapt activities to the fellow’s discipline, goals, and opportunities, while maintaining regular engagement and a practical outcome.

Months 1-3

Discovery & Direction

Mentor introduction, assessment of interests and strengths, identification of development priorities, and a realistic personal development plan.

Months 4-6

Skills & Professional Readiness

Discipline-specific learning, communication, professional ethics, networking, and exploration of relevant career pathways.

Months 7-9

Practical Application

Development of a feasible project, portfolio, research exercise, community initiative, or other discipline-appropriate deliverable, with mentor feedback.

Months 10-12

Reflection & Next Steps

Review of progress, presentation or documentation of the practical outcome, and a forward-looking academic or career development plan.

Mentorship Across Disciplines

MOFP welcomes undergraduates from a broad range of fields. Mentorship is guided by applicants’ interests and the availability of suitably experienced mentors.

Science, Technology & Engineering

Scientific disciplines, computing, engineering, technology, and innovation.

Health & Life Sciences

Medicine, public health, allied health, biological sciences, and related fields.

Law, Policy & Social Sciences

Law, governance, economics, public policy, education, and social development.

Business, Arts & Humanities

Business, entrepreneurship, communication, creative disciplines, and the humanities.

Prepare for Your Fellowship Journey

MOFP is designed for motivated Nigerian undergraduates who are ready to learn from experienced professionals, apply new skills, and commit to a year of purposeful mentorship.

01

Undergraduate Enrollment

Applicants must be enrolled at 300 level or above at a recognized Nigerian university, including higher levels in longer degree programs.

02

Academic Commitment

Applicants should demonstrate satisfactory academic standing, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to learn and improve.

03

Purpose & Motivation

Applicants should be able to explain their academic interests, professional aspirations, and the guidance they hope to gain from mentorship.

04

Fellowship Participation

Applicants must be willing to engage throughout the 12-month program, attend agreed monthly mentorship sessions, and complete reasonable development activities.

05

Personal Statement

Submit an original essay of no more than 350 words describing your goals, why mentorship matters to you, and what you hope to achieve through MOFP.

06

Integrity & Responsibility

Applicants must commit to honest information, respectful mentor engagement, ethical conduct, and accountability for agreed goals and activities.

Key Dates

Status: Applications have not yet opened
Application Opening
To be announced
Deadline
To be announced
Selection Notifications
To be announced
Application Fee
Free (₦0)

Application Guide & Selection Process

A clear, merit-informed selection process focused on readiness to learn, personal motivation, and alignment with available mentorship expertise.

Step 01

Online Application

Complete the fellowship application form with your university, level of study, discipline, academic information, career interests, and personal statement (maximum 350 words).

Step 02

Eligibility & Motivation Review

Applications are assessed for undergraduate eligibility, academic commitment, clarity of goals, and readiness for a structured mentorship relationship.

Step 03

Shortlisting & Mentor Matching

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for clarification or an interview. Mentor matches are considered based on discipline, development needs, and mentor availability.

Step 04

Selection & Onboarding

Selected fellows receive official notification, an introduction to fellowship expectations, and guidance on setting goals and beginning their 12-month mentorship.

Questions About the Fellowship?

For inquiries about eligibility, application requirements, or mentorship participation, contact the MOFP team through the official contact page.

Contact the MOFP Team

Fellow Spotlight & Stories

Hear directly from undergraduate fellows navigating their 12-month leadership transformation.

Fellow Temitope
Cohort Fellow • Economics & Policy

Temitope Adeleke

“The executive mentorship opened doors I didn't think possible in my penultimate year. My mentor guided my econometric analysis which is now accepted for presentation at a national conference.”

Research Grant Published Paper Mentee of the Year
Fellow Kelechi
Cohort Fellow • Electrical Engineering

Kelechi Nwachukwu

“MOFP taught me that purpose must anchor engineering. The monthly coaching on ethical leadership transformed my final year project into a viable clean energy community pilot.”

Clean Energy Pilot Dean's Honor Roll Global Mentee

MOFP in Numbers & Career Outcomes

Measurable impact in undergraduate academic performance, research output, and career placement.

100%
Mentorship Match

Every fellow paired 1-on-1 with an established senior professional.

12
Months Duration

Intensive full-year coaching and project execution cycle.

15
Fellows Per Cohort

Small cohort size ensuring deep personal attention and quality.

85%
Research Publication Rate

Fellows completing formal capstone papers and peer presentations.

100%
Tuition Free

100% free fellowship with funded workshops and materials.

92%
Postgrad Admittance

Graduates securing master's scholarships or direct corporate employment.