Recognising the value of guidance and learning, the Forerunner Welfare Foundation (FWF) has announced a call for applications for the third cohort of its NextGen-Ideate (NGI) mentoring programme for 2026.
The programme follows the graduation of its first two cohorts in 2024 and 2025, marking another opportunity for prospective mentees to participate in the foundation’s mentoring initiative. For young people navigating academic choices, professional ambitions, personal goals, or questions about their future, the call offers a chance to explore how mentorship can support their development.
Growing into one’s potential requires more than ambition alone. It also involves learning from experience, asking the right questions, recognising areas for improvement, and developing the confidence to pursue worthwhile goals. Mentorship can support this process by providing opportunities to gain perspectives, reflect on personal aspirations, and approach challenges with greater clarity.
For students, this may mean thinking more deliberately about their academic and professional journeys. For young professionals, it may involve examining their career direction, strengthening their capabilities, and identifying opportunities for further development. Those interested in leadership, community engagement, entrepreneurship, or other areas of personal interest will also find value in seeking guidance as they consider their next steps.
NextGen-Ideate 2026 offers prospective mentees an opportunity to explore participation in FWF’s mentoring programme. Although the specific activities, structure, and benefits of the new cohort should be confirmed through the foundation’s official communication, the invitation provides a starting point for young people interested in engaging with a structured mentoring initiative.
Our analyst notes that the experiences of previous participants may also help prospective applicants understand the programme’s activities and community. FWF has made highlights from the graduation ceremonies of the first two cohorts available online. These provide an opportunity to learn more about the programme’s previous editions and the participants who completed them.
The 2024 cohort graduation highlights are available at https://youtu.be/_lQbazZLQ08, while the 2025 cohort highlights can be viewed at https://youtu.be/AE2MGwvP6gw. Prospective mentees can watch these videos to gain additional context before proceeding with their applications.
While opportunities for growth differ from one individual to another, the decision to seek mentorship reflects a willingness to learn and engage with new perspectives. It can encourage young people to examine their assumptions, think critically about their goals, and become more intentional about the decisions that shape their futures. However, the value of any mentoring experience also depends on a mentee’s willingness to participate actively, reflect on guidance, and apply relevant lessons to their circumstances.
Young people interested in the programme are therefore encouraged to consider what they hope to gain from mentorship and how participation might support their personal or professional aspirations. Having a clear sense of one’s interests, development needs, and expectations can help prospective mentees approach the application process thoughtfully.
To apply, interested candidates should visit the official FWF website at www.fwf.org.ng. On the website, they should open the menu, select NextGen-Ideate, scroll down the page, and click Register as a mentee. Applicants should also monitor their email accounts throughout the application process, as the foundation has indicated that they will need to follow subsequent steps communicated by email.
For anyone considering the next stage of their development, NextGen-Ideate 2026 is an opportunity to investigate. Rather than waiting until every career decision has been settled or every ambition clearly defined, prospective mentees can begin by identifying the areas in which they would value guidance and exploring whether the programme aligns with their needs.
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