HerGovernment, an experiential civic education initiative supported by the Nigeria Youths Future Fund (NYFF), has launched its inaugural cohort, creating a platform for young women in Lagos to gain a deeper understanding of governance, public policy and civic participation.

The two-month programme, running from October to November 2026, is designed to move participants beyond simply learning about government to experiencing how public institutions function and exploring practical ways to engage in civic life.

HerGovernment Cohort 1 will be delivered through three stages: interactive online workshops, a physical visit to selected government institutions and an online advocacy campaign.

The first stage will feature sessions covering Government 101; Women, Public Policy & Power; Engage with Government; and Turning Experience to Civic Action. Through these workshops, participants will explore how government works, how public policies influence women and their communities, and the different ways young people can engage with public institutions and decision-making processes.

The workshops will be facilitated by Victoria Oladipo, Bukola Taiwo, Ajifa Solomon and Cynthia Akujobi, who will bring experience in governance, public policy, civic engagement and advocacy to the learning sessions.

Beyond the classroom, participants will have the opportunity to see governance in practice. The second stage will involve a one-day physical visit to selected government institutions, where participants will observe public-sector processes, interact with officials and gain a more practical understanding of how institutions operate.

The final stage will focus on advocacy. Participants will translate their learning and experiences into an online advocacy campaign, using digital platforms to raise awareness and engage wider audiences on governance and public policy issues affecting women and their communities.

For Founder of HerGovernment, Precious Obiabunmo, the initiative is about making governance more accessible and relatable to young women.

“For young women, public policy and governance can feel distant or complicated, especially when there are few opportunities to see how the government works in practice,” she said. “With HerGovernment, we want to create a space where young women can learn about government, experience public institutions firsthand and find practical ways to participate in civic life.”

The programme is open to young women aged 18 to 35 living in Lagos who have an interest in government, public policy and civic participation. Participants will also have opportunities to learn directly from practitioners and connect with other young women interested in civic issues.

By combining learning, institutional exposure and advocacy, HerGovernment seeks to give participants practical knowledge that can help them better understand the systems that shape their communities and identify meaningful avenues for engagement.

Applications for HerGovernment Cohort 1 are currently open to eligible applicants.