Who this is for: Cohort 1 is open only to emerging writers, storytellers and spoken word artists from Northern Nigeria (Arewa) who can attend the in-person sessions in Kano State. Kano residents get preference.
The Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), is accepting applications for the Arewa Creative Writing and Advocacy Fellowship (ACWAF) – Cohort 1. It’s a free 6–8 week hybrid programme that teaches young writers to use creative nonfiction, poetry, journalism and multimedia storytelling to speak up on governance, democracy, elections, voter rights and youth rights.
Deadline: 30 November 2026, as reported by Opportunity Desk. The official application form doesn’t state a closing date, so apply as early as you can.
At a Glance
| Organiser | Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) |
| Who can apply | Emerging writers and storytellers from Northern Nigeria |
| Format | 6–8 week hybrid programme: online workshops plus in-person sessions in Kano State |
| Cost | Free to apply |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 (reported) |
What You’ll Learn
- Creative nonfiction and civic storytelling
- Policy framing: turning issues into clear, persuasive writing
- Editorial ethics and fact-checking
- Multimedia narrative techniques
- Writing for advocacy on governance, democracy, elections, voter rights and youth rights
The fellowship ends with a capstone: each fellow organises a community step-down activity, such as a reading, youth workshop or dialogue session, in any Northern Nigerian state.
Benefits
- Hybrid training, online and in person in Kano
- One-on-one mentorship
- Editorial and publication support for your work
- Data stipends
- Networking with writers, advocates and civic organisations
Eligibility
- You must be an emerging writer, storyteller, spoken word artist or aspiring advocate from Northern Nigeria.
- You must live in Northern Nigeria and be able to attend the physical sessions in Kano State. Residents of Kano are given preference.
- You must be available for the full programme, including the in-person orientation and training in Kano and the online workshops.
- Writers in Hausa are welcome. The form lists Hausa creative writing and translation as a genre.
- People with disabilities, internally displaced people and members of marginalised groups are encouraged to apply, and accessibility support can be requested.
How to Apply
- Prepare a link to 1–2 recent writing samples, such as articles, poems, blog posts or published pieces on Google Drive, Medium or a website.
- Draft short answers to three questions:
- Why you want to join ACWAF (max 250 words)
- The civic issues in your community you want to address through writing (max 250 words)
- Your idea for a community step-down activity (max 200 words)
- Fill in the official application form with your details, state and LGA, creative genre and answers.
- Confirm that you live in Northern Nigeria and can attend in Kano, then submit.
Official ACWAF Cohort 1 application form
Stay safe: ACWAF is free. Don’t pay anyone to apply.
Tips
- Pick your strongest civic piece as your sample, for example something on youth, elections or local governance.
- Be specific about your community. Name the real issue, the people it affects and how your writing could help.
- Make your step-down idea realistic: a reading at your school, a workshop at a youth centre or a radio discussion.
- Only apply if you can travel to Kano for the physical sessions.
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