By Mary Afolabi | OMLA Project Director
The first half of 2026 has been a period of remarkable growth and impact for One Million Leaders Africa (OMLA), made possible through the continued support of our partners and donors.
Our 2026 OMLA Fellowship attracted 1,032 applications from 28 African countries, with 184 emerging leaders from 20 countries selected to participate. Fellows are currently progressing through the leadership curriculum and will soon begin mentoring promising young people in their communities. These young people, known as Champions, will receive the OMLA curriculum, extending the programme's impact across Africa.
We also strengthened our alumni network through monthly Alumni Insight Forums, increased alumni involvement in community projects, and launched the Alumni Media Unit to showcase alumni achievements and foster stronger engagement across the community.
A major milestone this year has been the development of the Green Guardians Youth Leadership Programme, a rebranded and expanded school-based initiative that integrates leadership, sustainability, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. During this period, we developed a comprehensive curriculum featuring 10 original storybooks and learning resources, engaged 65 schools, piloted the curriculum in five schools, and established a strategic certification partnership with the International Institute for Global Leadership (IIGL).
Our OMLA Clubs also continued to grow, with membership increasing from approximately 150 to 307 students across eight secondary schools. As these clubs transition into Green Guardians, students will benefit from an enriched curriculum that prepares them to become ethical leaders and active changemakers in their schools and communities.
Preparations are also well underway for the 2026 OMLA Bootcamp, where approximately 300 secondary school students from 14 schools in Ondo State, Nigeria, will receive practical leadership, entrepreneurship, digital, and vocational skills training. Strong partnerships with government institutions, private sector organizations, volunteers, and sponsors have positioned this year's Bootcamp to be our largest and most impactful edition yet.
These milestones represent significant progress toward our mission of raising ethical, entrepreneurial, and transformative leaders across Africa. We are deeply grateful to our donors and partners for making this work possible. Your support continues to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to create lasting change in their communities, and we look forward to sharing even greater impact in the months ahead.
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By Mary Afolabi | OMLA Project Director
By Mary Afolabi | Project Director
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