Listen to story here
Applications have opened for the JuCE Africa Bootcamp 2026, a leadership and storytelling programme designed to equip Nigerian secondary school students with practical skills in communication, entrepreneurship, branding and creativity.
The bootcamp, themed “Beyond the Classroom: Lead with Story,” is scheduled to take place in Lagos in August 2026 and will bring together selected students for an immersive learning experience focused on the growing importance of storytelling in shaping careers, businesses and social impact.
Organised by Juvenile Career Education (JuCE) Africa, the programme aims to move beyond conventional classroom instruction by exposing participants to interactive workshops, mentorship sessions and collaborative projects facilitated by professionals from diverse industries.
Participants will receive practical training in storytelling for personal branding, marketing, business decision-making, animation and content creation, while learning how compelling narratives can influence leadership, innovation and audience engagement.
Founder of JuCE Africa, Adaeze Okeke, said the initiative is built on the belief that every young person has a unique story capable of inspiring change.
“Stories are at the heart of who we are. They shape identities, build brands, inspire innovation and drive social change. Through this Bootcamp, we want young people to recognise that their voices matter and that they can use their stories to influence, create and lead,” she said.
A major highlight of the programme will be The Storyteller’s Stage, a showcase where participants will present original ideas developed during the bootcamp. Projects may include book concepts, television sitcom pitches, marketing campaigns or social impact initiatives, demonstrating the practical application of the skills acquired.
The presentations will be assessed by a panel of judges drawn from entrepreneurship, branding, communications, design and the creative industries. The panel includes entrepreneur and product leader Adedipo Adekanbi; actress and storyteller Uche Elumelu; brand and communications expert Bankole Banjo; award-winning animation entrepreneur Damilola Solesi; and brand and design strategist Joseph Suleimann.
According to the organisers, the judges will evaluate entries based not only on creativity but also on execution, audience engagement, market relevance and real-world impact.
JuCE Africa said applications are now open to secondary school students across Nigeria through its official bootcamp registration portal. The organisation also called on corporate organisations, development partners and individuals interested in youth development, education and innovation to support the initiative through partnerships and collaborations.
JuCE Africa is a youth-focused organisation committed to preparing young Africans for the future through career guidance, mentorship, life skills development and experiential learning programmes.
