Jairus Awo wins grant to implement Benue Democracy Fellowship
Jairus Awo Wins Grant to Implement Benue Democracy Fellowship
Jairus Awo, a Benue‑born youth civic leader, has secured an individual grant under the Youth Leadership Development Fund 2026 of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) to implement the Benue Democracy Fellowship: Empowering Youth for Electoral Participation.
The fellowship will recruit 20 fellows, 10 each from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas, who will undergo three months of intensive training in civic education, issue‑based politics, misinformation, and other barriers to participation.
The fellowship is open to applicants aged 18–35 years who are residents in Obi or Oju and will remain based in the communities for at least three months. Selected fellows will also benefit from mentorship by civic educators, strategists, and media practitioners across leading civic institutions across Africa.
After the training, fellows will lead a 30‑day digital advocacy campaign focused on issue‑based politics. They will also appear on community radio in Igede language, bringing candidates into the conversation to promote civic engagement. The programme includes two voting simulations for first‑time voters and a constituency‑wide community dialogue with candidates and current leaders to discuss the meaning of development versus political rhetoric.
Awo, who has previously led projects such as YVoteNaija with the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, said the fellowship is deeply personal. “Politics should not be about war but about development issues and solutions. This project is my first individually funded initiative, and it comes at a crucial time for our region,” he explained.
The fellowship is supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), a project of LEAP Africa, and it aims to strengthen youth participation in democracy and governance at the grassroots level.
Who is Jairus Awo?
Beyond this fellowship, Jairus Awo is a journalist, civic innovator, and media and communications strategist whose work cuts across governance, democracy, civic tech, media, and communications.
He is the Founder and Editor‑in‑Chief of The MiddleBelt Reporters, a regional online newspaper focused on public‑interest journalism in North Central Nigeria. His career includes reporting for HumAngle Media, leading communications for civic tech platforms like YouthGovTracka, and spearheading the roll‑out of MyAiFactchecker, Africa’s first AI‑powered fact‑checking tool developed by BBYDI.
Awo has been recognised with awards such as Campus Journalist of the Year (NUCJ BSU Chapter), finalist in the Campus Journalism Awards 2021, and runner‑up for On Air Personality of the Year 2022. He is also a Fellow of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative and has participated in international fellowships on climate change and human rights reporting.
Through his roles in the Igede Youth Council and grassroots advocacy campaigns, he has mobilised communities against harmful practices and promoted civic participation. His blend of journalism, civic innovation, and advocacy positions him as one of the emerging voices redefining democracy at the grassroots in Benue State.
Applications are currently open, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the official fellowship portal HERE.