Building a strong civic ecosystem requires more than passion; it demands resilient organisations equipped with people with the right skills, systems, and strategies to sustain and scale impact. With this in mind, PROMAD, through its innovation arm, the StackLabs, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), convened a two-day Organisational Development Programme (ODP) in Abuja, designed to strengthen youth-led civic organisations across the North Central States.
The programme brought together 24 participants comprising individual and Organisational grantees from the NYFF community, creating a vibrant learning space focused on growth, sustainability, and long-term impact. The training was designed to support participants in sharpening their organisational structures, improving accountability, and positioning them and their organisations to make meaningful contributions to the civic space and national development.
Over the course of two days, participants engaged in practical, hands-on sessions facilitated by experienced professionals and civic leaders with deep knowledge of the sector.
The programme opened with a session on Civic Innovations and Proposal Writing, facilitated by Mr Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director of BudgIT. Drawing from real-life experience, the session explored how civic organisations can design innovative solutions, tell compelling stories, and develop strong proposals that attract funding and partnerships.
Participants also took part in a session on Digital Transformation, Tools and Technology Adoption for Non-Profits, facilitated by Mr Daisi Omokungbe, Executive Director of PROMAD. This session highlighted how technology can be leveraged to improve organisational efficiency, data management, advocacy, and citizen engagement in an increasingly digital civic landscape. He provided practical insights and examples of the activations of some digital tools for participants’ organisations.
In another session, Organisation Leadership, HR and Strategic Management, also facilitated by Mr Omokungbe, challenged participants to rethink leadership, create internal systems, and prioritise long-term planning through their process and policies. The session emphasised the importance of vision-driven leadership and clear strategies in building organisations that can adapt and thrive in changing economic situations.
Further strengthening participants’ capacity, the session on Financial Management for Non-Profits was facilitated by Peace Morris, Assistant Manager, Finance and Compliance at PROMAD. Her session focused on financial accountability, compliance, and best practices for managing funds transparently, an essential pillar for organisational credibility and growth.
The programme concluded with sessions on Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and Sustainability, which were facilitated by Emmanuel Sani, Assistant Manager, Programmes, and Victor Omefe, Senior Research and Analytics Officer at PROMAD. These sessions provided practical tools for planning, tracking progress, measuring impact, and ensuring projects remain relevant and sustainable over time.
Beyond the structured training sessions, the Organisational Development Programme (ODP) created space for honest conversations and shared experiences. Participants openly discussed the challenges they face within their organisations and around their work, learning not only from facilitators but also from one another.
The programme also served as a networking platform, enabling participants to build professional relationships, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration within the NYFF community and beyond, which is necessary for a sustainable civic and youth ecosystem in North Central Nigeria.
At the end of the two-day training, participants left more informed, confident, and equipped than they arrived. The Organisational Development Programme (ODP) reinforced PROMAD’s commitment to supporting youth-led organisations with the tools they need to sustain impact, scale their work, and strengthen Nigeria’s civic space.
With the continued support of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) and other potential partners, PROMAD and the StackLabs remain dedicated to investing in young people, systems, and ideas that drive accountable governance and inclusive democratic and economic development across the country.
