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The Journey of the YIL Fellowship

The Young Innovation Leaders (YIL) Fellowship was founded in 2018 by Dr. Obichi Obiajunwa with a vision to bridge the gap between formal education and the real-world demands of the workplace. Originally named the HELP Fellowship (Hutzpa Excellence Leadership Program), the program was renamed to the YIL Fellowship in 2019 to better reflect its mission of empowering young Africans to lead innovative change in their communities.

YIL started with a bold idea: to equip young Africans with the skills to shift from passive consumers to proactive solution creators. Driven by a deep commitment to Africa’s potential, Dr. Obiajunwa launched YIL to cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of identifying and solving local challenges in sustainable, impactful ways.

The fellowship’s beginnings were fueled by a dedicated support network. Family friend Prof. Emeka Okereke provided vital financial backing through a crowdfunding initiative, and longtime friend Pharm. Nnamdi Ifeagwu was instrumental in bringing YIL’s vision to life. Dr. Obiajunwa’s wife, Chizobam, was a key supporter in helping him realize his dream of launching the fellowship.

YIL’s first partnership with Plan International in 2018 helped support prototype development and established a strong focus on female empowerment. In 2019, YIL expanded into Ghana with the support of Dr. Anna Fokouh-Boadu. That same year, YIL partnered with UNFPA Nigeria to run an innovation lab tackling urgent issues in maternal health and reproductive rights. With sponsorship from UNFPA Ghana, the fellowship continued to train young participants from across the region. Collaborations with the University of Ibadan in 2019 and 2020 enabled YIL to establish a Scholarship Award for top students in medicine, physical sciences, and engineering.

Since 2019, the YIL Fellowship has also benefited from the involvement of Neta Hanien, who connected the program to networks in Israel, including the ROI Community and the Schusterman Foundation, broadening its reach and resources. Adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, YIL transitioned to a fully online model, allowing young innovators from across Africa to access the fellowship virtually.

With each passing year, YIL has expanded its scope, creating lasting partnerships. In 2021, YIL collaborated with WIPO Nigeria to train finalists from its Annual Essay Competition, and in 2022, AUDA-NEPAD sponsored a boot camp in Nairobi to support participants from East Africa. Through a partnership with the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja, fellows now have the opportunity to earn a diploma in innovation management upon completing the program.

Recognized for its contributions, YIL was awarded by the Embassy of Israel in 2021 and 2022 for its leadership in managing the I-FAIR program, supporting inventors and researchers in commercializing their ideas. In 2023, YIL developed the IP-SALAYE program with WIPO Nigeria, training National Youth Service Corps members to address community issues using intellectual property.

Since its inception, the YIL Fellowship has empowered over 200 fellows and impacted more than 1,500 young people through its programs. Today, YIL stands as a leading force in youth innovation and development across Africa, cultivating a generation of changemakers equipped to transform their communities and shape a brighter future for the continent.