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How to get into Nigerian policy

Editorial advice, not sourced research

A practical guide to CVs, writing samples, portfolios and interviews, with the official pages for programmes it mentions and the sites that list new openings every day.

This guide is editorial advice from our team, not sourced research. Always confirm programme details on the official page. Real programmes do not charge application fees.

Programme-specific facts (age limits, deadlines, pay) are on the opportunities page, with links and the date we checked them. Always confirm details on the official page before you apply.

1. CV (two pages at most)

  • Structure: contact details (no photo, age or religion unless the programme asks for them); a 2–3 line profile; Experience; Education; Skills (data tools, languages); Selected writing; Referees available on request.
  • Write outcomes, not duties. Instead of "Responsible for research", write "Analysed the 2026 Ekiti budget (837 pages); built a dataset of 120 capital lines used in a BudgIT-style explainer".
  • Count NYSC, SIWES and volunteering if they involved analysis, community engagement or data. Many Nigerian programmes ask for proof of NYSC (e.g. LJLA, NJFP and KIF in our listings).
  • Tailor the CV to each role. Mirror the language in the call. For a World Bank or AfDB-type role, put quantitative skills first. For a legislative role, put drafting and stakeholder work first.
  • Name files professionally, e.g. Surname_Firstname_CV_2026.pdf.

2. Writing samples

  • Prepare one 800–1,200 word policy brief and one 700-word op-ed. Policy employers almost always ask for writing.
  • Policy brief structure: the issue in one sentence → why it matters now (with data) → 2–3 options with trade-offs → a recommendation → how to implement it and what it costs.
  • Cite primary sources: budget PDFs (with page numbers), NBS, CBN, DMO and NASS bill texts. Avoid sources that only appear on blogs.
  • Show balance. Strong samples put the strongest version of the opposing view and then answer it. Reviewers in non-partisan institutions are looking for this.
  • Get published: op-ed pages in national dailies, think-tank blogs, or GPLab itself. A published piece with a link beats an attachment.

3. Portfolio

  • A simple site (Notion, GitHub Pages or LinkedIn Featured) with 3–5 pieces: a brief, an op-ed, a chart or dashboard, and a dataset you cleaned (e.g. from the GPLab Budget Hackathon).
  • Include one data project. For example, digitise a state budget section and publish the CSV with notes on your method.
  • Keep a short "what I learned" note for each piece. It helps a lot in interviews.

4. Interviews

  • Expect these questions: Why policy? Why this organisation? Tell us about a piece of analysis you're proud of. How would you explain [subsidy removal / the tax reform laws / state police] to a market trader? What is a policy you disagree with, and why?
  • Prepare a 2-minute view on 3 live issues. Present the evidence on both sides and then give your judgement.
  • Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioural questions.
  • Written tests are common: a 1–2 hour brief or a data exercise. Practise under time limits.
  • Ask good questions back: what success looks like in 6 months, how research gets used, and who the main stakeholders are.

5. Common mistakes

  1. Missing hard eligibility rules such as age caps, years of experience, degree class or NYSC status. Check them first, for example the 2:2 minimum and age ≤30 for NJFP, or the 2,800 hours of work experience for Chevening.
  2. Leaving it to deadline day. Portals crash, and referees need 2–3 weeks.
  3. Sending a generic motivation letter that never names the programme's goals.
  4. Making claims without evidence, e.g. "I am passionate about governance" with nothing to back it up.
  5. Partisan tone in writing samples. Many institutions are non-partisan, and reviewers mark it down.
  6. Falling for fee-charging "opportunity" sites and scams. Real programmes such as Chevening, the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the World Bank YPP and NJFP do not charge application fees. Apply only through official links.
  7. Ignoring rejection feedback. Many programmes reopen each year, so reapply stronger.

6. Timing calendar (based on the windows recorded in our listings)

  • Aug–Oct: Chevening (closes 6 Oct 2026); Mandela Washington Fellowship (closes 13 Oct 2026); World Bank YPP (September).
  • Q4: AfDB YPP (the last window closed 30 Nov 2025).
  • Mar–May: Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (March); AU Youth Volunteer Corps (Mar–Apr); LJLA (Apr–May).
  • Rolling: NESG, CDD, UNICEF internships, ECOWAS.

Programmes mentioned in this guide

Official pages. Links checked 1 Oct 2026; windows change every year.

Where new openings are listed

These independent sites post fellowships, scholarships and jobs daily. We are not affiliated with them; check every listing on the organiser's own site before applying.

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