The Morehead-Cain Foundation, renowned for its groundbreaking merit-based scholarship and leadership development programs, is expanding beyond the United States for the first time, with Nigeria included in its inaugural international cohort. This milestone was achieved through a partnership with The Afara Initiative, a key driver of youth leadership development and economic empowerment.

As part of this collaboration, Afara has led a rigorous selection process for the 2025 Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship Program in Nigeria, identifying and supporting the nation’s most promising young leaders. Vice Chancellors from top Nigerian universities have played a crucial role in nominating outstanding candidates, working closely with Afara to ensure a strong representation. “We are excited to collaborate with The Afara Initiative as we extend the Morehead-Cain Fellowship beyond the United States,” said Chris Bradford, President of the Morehead-Cain Foundation.

“Nigeria is home to an exceptional pool of talented and ambitious young leaders, and we look forward to equipping them with the skills, networks, and experiences they need to drive meaningful change and contribute to their home institutions.”

As part of the selection process, Afara convened key stakeholders—including university administrators, business leaders, and the Morehead-Cain team—at an exclusive event in Lagos.

The gathering brought together Vice Chancellors and Deans from some of Nigeria’s top universities, including the University of Lagos, Caleb University, Lead City University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the Federal University of Technology Akure, and Elizade University. The event underscored the transformative potential of this partnership in reshaping leadership development across Africa. Selected students will embark on a 12-month experience in the United States, gaining the skills, networks, and global exposure needed to drive systemic change upon their return.

“This collaboration marks a major milestone for Afara and young Nigerian leaders,” said Lara Rabiu, Founder of The Afara Initiative.

“It underscores our commitment to connecting local talent with global opportunities, ensuring that Nigeria’s brightest minds have access to the resources, networks, and leadership skills needed to compete and succeed on the world stage.”

The Morehead-Cain Program, housed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has a long-standing tradition of nurturing outstanding leaders through fully funded educational, professional, and global learning opportunities. With this expansion, the Foundation seeks to build a diverse, international network of leaders who will make a lasting impact in their home countries and beyond.

Beyond its collaboration with Morehead-Cain, Afara is also opening applications for its 2025 flagship programs, including the Bridge Fellowship and Pathway Career Accelerators. These initiatives further enhance opportunities for Nigerian students to develop leadership skills and advance their careers.

"We believe this partnership will create transformative opportunities for Nigerian students to contribute meaningfully on a global scale," said Lara Rabiu. "We are excited to continue empowering future leaders and making a lasting impact through this collaboration."