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Programme Roadmap

How It Works

The full YSI journey, from the national call for applications through virtual coursework and the zonal bootcamp to graduation and the alumni community.

Step-by-Step Pathway

The Programme Journey

Seven stages take a participant from application to alumnus. Every stage is run in each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.

  1. Nationwide portal launch

    Call for Application

    Applications open to students, corps members and young innovators in all six geopolitical zones.

  2. Verification & track selection

    Registration & Screening

    You register, upload supporting credentials, choose a specialised track and complete the pre-programme assessment.

  3. Welcome & platform walkthrough

    1-Week Orientation

    Successful applicants are welcomed onto the platform, meet their track facilitators and are shown how the coursework, assignments and quizzes run.

  4. Coursework & quizzes

    3-Week Virtual Learning

    Compulsory general courses plus your track introduction, delivered online with assignments and quizzes.

  5. Zonal hands-on labs

    3-Day In-Person Engagement

    Shortlisted participants travel to their zonal host city for practical labs, mentoring and the innovation challenge.

  6. Official accreditation

    Graduation & Certificates

    Successful participants graduate and receive a QR-verifiable certificate of completion.

  7. Alumni & mentorship

    Post-Programme Community

    Alumni keep portal access and join mentorship circles, the opportunity desk and seed-grant pathways.

First Cohort, 2026

Programme Schedule

The stages above, with dates. Applications are being reviewed until 2 October 2026.

  1. Applications

    Open Now

    The national call for applications. The portal is open and accepting applications. A closing date has not been announced.

  2. Application Review

    2 weeks Now

    18 September - 2 October 2026

    Every application submitted before the deadline is screened and verified. Decisions are sent to the email address on the application.

  3. Orientation

    1 week Indicative

    5 - 9 October 2026

    Successful applicants are welcomed onto the platform, meet their track facilitators and are shown how the coursework runs.

  4. Virtual Learning

    3 weeks Indicative

    12 - 30 October 2026

    Compulsory general courses and your specialised track, delivered online with assignments and quizzes. Engagement here decides who proceeds to the in-person engagement.

  5. Selection & Preparation

    2 weeks Indicative

    2 - 13 November 2026

    Virtual engagement scores are assessed, participants are selected for the in-person engagement, and travel and venues are arranged.

  6. In-Person Engagement

    3 days Indicative

    16 - 18 November 2026

    Three days of hands-on labs, mentoring and the innovation challenge, held in person.

  7. Post-Programme Community

    Ongoing Indicative

    From 19 November 2026

    Graduates keep their portal access and join the alumni community: mentorship circles, the opportunity desk and seed-grant pathways.

Dates marked indicative follow from the programme's published durations and are confirmed to participants by email before each stage begins.

Blended Delivery

Delivery Model

From initial baseline vetting and online coursework to physical workspace challenges and alumni networks.

3 Weeks

Virtual Engagement

Structured coursework with assignments and quizzes released 3x per week. Only participants meeting the virtual engagement scores proceed to travel for the physical event.

  • Pre-Programme Baseline Quiz
  • Compulsory General Coursework
  • Core Tracks Virtual Introduction
3 Days

Physical Engagement

Three days of intensive workspaces held across all six zones. Focuses on practical lab exercises, core track project building, judge scorecards, and graduations.

  • Hands-on Practical Lab Exercises
  • Direct Industry Mentor Matchings
  • Innovation Challenge Pitching
Ongoing

Post-Programme Community

Alumni transition into structured WhatsApp/Telegram digital circles for continuous mentoring, startup seed grants, and jobs mapping lists.

  • Retention of Dashboard Access
  • Matched Mentor pairs support
  • Opportunity Desk Placements
On This Platform

Using the Portal

What you actually do inside your account at each stage of the journey above.

Create Your Account

Register with your real name, contact phone, and email address. You will be automatically assigned the Applicant role to start your workspace portal access.

Complete Your Multi-Step Form

Fill out your personal information, state of residence, and highest education qualification. Attach supporting credentials (NYSC Call-up files or local school certificate copies).

Begin Trainee LMS Academy

Once approved, you are promoted to Active Participant. Log in to access lectures, watch videos, answer weekly quizzes, and write assignments.

Graduation & Opportunities

Earn your unique QR-code verified certificate. Browse job listings on the opportunity desk, and connect with peer groups via the alumni discussion forum.

Ready to start your journey?

Applications run through this portal. Check the eligibility criteria, then create your account.

Apply Now Read the FAQs