The National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) at the University of Juba was launched in 2016 as a bold partnership between the University of Juba, the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, and UN Women South Sudan. Created to meet South Sudan’s urgent need for ethical, inclusive, gender responsive policies and visionary leadership in the aftermath of conflict, NTLI has quickly risen as a regional center of excellence in East Africa. Its mission is to empower leaders—women and men alike—with cutting-edge skills in transformational leadership, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender-based violence prevention, and economic empowerment. Beyond training, research, consultancy and outreach programmes, NTLI offers advanced academic programs, including a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership with three specializations in Governance; Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution; and Gender and Women’s Rights, as well as a Master of Arts in Organisational Leadership delivered in partnership with Development Associates International. These programs are designed to produce dynamic professionals capable of driving inclusive development and lasting peace.
Since its inception, NTLI has become a beacon of hope and change, championing women’s empowerment and inclusive growth while shaping a new generation of leaders. It has hosted landmark events such as the International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership in Juba (February 2023), which brought together Nobel Laureates, African leaders, and UN officials under the theme “Transformational Leadership in Women, Peace, and Security.” Through its initiatives, NTLI has nurtured powerful networks of women leaders, strengthened community resilience, and advanced national and global conversations on Gender, Peace, Security, Climate Change and leadership. More than an institute, NTLI is South Sudan’s primary engine of transformation, embodying the vision: “Transforming Leaders, Transforming Nations.”