At 51: Dr. Linus Okorie Launches Fellowship Programme, Empowers 113 Emerging Nigerian Leaders

In a powerful tribute to legacy and impact, renowned leadership coach Dr. Linus Okorie, MFR, Founder and President of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, marked his 51st birthday by launching the Linus Okorie Fellowship Program. This is a new initiative designed to raise a new generation of purpose-driven leaders across Nigeria.

The five-week intensive program officially began with a two-day onsite leadership bootcamp held at the GOTNI Leadership Centre in Abuja on April 29–30, 2025, followed by a red-tie dinner that doubled as both a formal inauguration and a milestone birthday celebration.

Dr. Okorie, who has spent over three decades nurturing ethical, visionary leadership across Africa, handpicked 113 young Nigerians from diverse sectors and regions to participate in the inaugural cohort.

“At 51, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate than by giving back,” says Okorie. “I’ve learned that true leadership is not measured by power or influence, but by how many others you empower. My goal is to raise leaders who will outlive me in impact.”

The fellowship curriculum includes core modules in Leadership Development, Strategic Communication, and Coaching for Performance, Legacy Thinking.

Participants selected for their passion, potential, and commitment to nation-building are already calling the experience life-altering, citing its unmatched value and depth, especially given that the entire program is free.

“Dr. Linus is living proof that leaders create leaders, not followers,” shared one fellow. “He’s not just teaching, he’s transferring decades of wisdom.”

The Linus Okorie Fellowship Program is a reflection of Dr. Okorie’s life mission: to equip young Africans with the mindset, tools, and character to lead themselves, transform their communities, and redefine leadership across the continent.

As Founder of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, a globally respected institution for leadership capital development in Africa, Okorie continues to shape the next wave of leaders through transformative training, mentoring, and policy advocacy. His latest initiative solidifies his legacy as a leader of leaders and a champion for national transformation.