This is the second edition of the YIL Fellowship in Nigeria. 

Selection: We called for applications in March. We got about 300 applications. After a 4-stage screening process, we selected 45 participants plus 4 executive participants from UNFPA Nigeria. Of these 45 participants are 12 persons (3 teams) being sponsored by UNFPA Nigeria to solve challenges in 3 areas of concern which include: innovations to prevent maternal mortality, innovations to estimate the impact of interventions in maternal mortality, and innovations to prevent gender-based violence. Afterwards, innovations for family planning was added.

Inauguration Bootcamp (21-24th May): We had a 4-day bootcamp at Spicery Hotel Oniru under the facilitation of Mr Eyal Halamish whom we invited from Australia. During this meeting, he drilled them on  how to create solutions out of problems using creativity tools, design thinking, and innovation management concepts. Other speakers included: Mr Sam Ohuabunwa (President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria), Mr Ezekiel Osaze (Head of Big Data at Oracle, Nigeria) and Mr Michael Nwoseh (Head of Youth Banking, FCMB). In attendance at this event were the Country Representative of UNFPA Nigeria, represented by his deputy, Mr Adonri Osarentin, and the West African Brand Ambassador of UNFPA, Mrs Stephanie Linus. The keynote address was taken by Mr Adonri Osarentin, for his boss.

Challenge Phase: This phase lasted for 4 months, 2 weeks. Eleven teams started the journey; 2 were eventually merged into other teams and 1 was dismissed. The merged teams were working on similar products. The team dismissed couldn’t meet up with demands of this phase.

Induction Bootcamp (23-25th October): We had a 3-day bootcamp at Spicery Hotel Oniru. Eight teams and 20 YIL participants plus 2 UNFPA participants made it to the event. During this meeting, participants were taught on how to pitch their solutions and steps to scale up their concepts. The pitching event took place on the 25th of October. In attendance were entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem experts from different industries. Eight solutions were pitched. They include:

1) Authagric is a product authentication system developed by the team that sought to apply information and communication technology to agriculture in Nigeria. 

2) Altar Fold is a toilet effectively designed to use about 80% less water than the commonly sold water closet systems. This solution was developed by the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene team.

3) GenderAid is a rich solution proffered by the team which worked on ending gender-based violence in Nigeria. GenderAid provides rich and engaging content as well as peer-to-peer learning, in order to foster early sex and gender equality education as a means of proactively addressing gender-based violence n Nigeria.

4) Learnbeta is a project-based learning platform developed by the STEM team, specifically designed to incline the interest of students towards STEM-related subjects, using a more pragmatic approach to learning.  

5) Pregnancy Manager is a solution developed by the team that seeks to end maternal mortality in Nigeria. This solution leverages existing community resources to increase the access that pregnant women in rural areas have to quality institutional health care.

6) Theragist is a platform developed by the mental health team, which affords individuals anonymity while expressing their mental health challenges, and helps provides timely and expert counselling to individuals, in order to improve their mental health.

7) TRIM (The Reproductive Health Inclusive Model) is a platform developed by the family planning team, which leverages anonymity and provides reliable counselling to youths, in order to increase the accessibility of Nigerian youths to contraceptives and prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion. 

8) Weaniplus is an infant formula developed by the nutrition team, which leveraged the use of local agricultural inputs in effectively balanced nutrient proportions, to address child malnutrition in the country.

This is the first edition of the YIL Fellowship in Ghana.

Selection: We called for applications in August. We got about 200 applications. After a 4-stage screening process, we selected 21 participants.

Inauguration Bootcamp (3rd-6th September): We had a 4-day bootcamp at Crown Liberty Hotel, Accra. The keynote speeches were given on the first day by: Dr Mrs Angela Ackon (Deputy Director Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana); Dr Charles Ackon (CEO Mangel Klicks); and Rev. Stephen Kwaku Fokuoh (Director of Ghana Baptist Health Services). The Guest Speaker for the day was Mr Yaw Owusu-Brempong (CEO Capital Venture Fund Ghana). Also in attendance at this event were 2 representatives from UNFPA Ghana. The Chief Facilitator at the bootcamp was Dr Obichi Obiajunwa and in these 3 days he took them through how to create solutions out of problems using project management tools, design thinking, and innovation management concepts. Other resource persons included: Mr. Henry Baffoe (Managing Director BigData Ghana); Dr. David Ebo Agyepon ( Computer science lecturer, Ashesi University); Mr. Emmanuel Antoh (GIS Expert, USAID); Rev Philip Badger (Mechanical Engineer, GE); Mrs. Selorm Badger (Human Resource Manager, Zormelo and Associates); and Mrs. Tina Nartey. The rest of the team present were Dr. Anna Fokuoh-Boadu (Country Rep), Ms Abena Kwabea Atakora (Head of Strategy) and Mr. Steven Fokuoh-Boadu (Head of Operations). 

Challenge Phase: This phase lasted for 3 months, 3 weeks. Five teams started the journey;1  was eventually dismissed for not meeting up with demands of this phase.

Induction Bootcamp (18-20th December): We had a 3-day bootcamp at Baptist Guest House, Accra. Four teams and 11 YIL participants made it to the event. During this meeting, participants were taught on how to pitch their solutions and steps to scale up their concepts. The pitching event took place on the 20th of December at Baptist Convention Office Complex. In attendance were entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem experts from different industries. Four solutions were pitched. They include:

1. AgriTrade: Built an online bidding platform that allows farmers to find more buyers and identify the best possible deal; while buyers can easily access and identify the products for sale in their desired location
2. HealthHost: Created a mobile application that connects health workers to work and training opportunities.
3. EduImpact: Used child-centred learning space design modelling services together with development games to varying children learning needs to help improve early learning.
4. Upcare: Designed a digital referral platform to prevent morbidities and mortalities in gynecological and obstetric cases in Ghana.