PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) successfully held its 2026 Annual Staff Retreat from Monday, 19th to Wednesday, 21st January 2026 at the Royal Cedars Hotels and Apartments, Alalubusa GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The three-day gathering brought together staff members from across all departments to reflect on the organization’s milestones in 2025, assess lessons learned, and strategically position the team for greater impact in 2026. The retreat provided a structured environment for learning, reflection, team bonding, and forward planning.
The retreat was facilitated by Dr. Taiwo Benson, Executive Director of Foundation for Community Health, Rights and Development (FOCHRID), and Obatunde Oladapo, Executive Director of PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation. Both facilitators provided insightful guidance on leadership development, organizational growth, proposal writing, and sustainable resource mobilization.
Theme of the Retreat
The retreat was anchored on the theme: “Strengthening Organizational Capacity through Effective Leadership and Strategic Proposal Writing for Sustainable Impact.”
The theme reflected PLAN Foundation’s commitment to strengthening both its internal systems and external programming to ensure long-term sustainability and measurable community impact.
Two major pillars shaped the discussions:
- People and Leadership with emphasis on emotional intelligence and servant leadership.
- Programs and Funding with strong focus on practical, high-quality proposal writing and resource mobilization.
One of the most impactful sessions centered on Leadership Beyond Authority, where participants explored what it truly means to lead within the nonprofit sector.
Leadership Beyond Authority
Facilitators emphasized that effective leadership goes beyond titles and positions. It is rooted in emotional intelligence including self-awareness, empathy, patience, active listening, and respectful communication. Staff were encouraged to adopt a servant leadership approach by leading through example, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing the organization’s mission over personal interests.
A thought-provoking case study titled “When Authority Speaks Louder Than Leadership” sparked deep reflection and discussion. Through discussion sessions, participants examined workplace scenarios where the misuse of authority hindered collaboration, productivity, and morale. The session reinforced the importance of participatory decision-making, constructive feedback, accountability, and mutual respect within teams.
These conversations strengthened a shared understanding that sustainable impact begins with healthy internal leadership practices.
Strengthening Skills in Proposal Writing
Recognizing the critical role of funding in sustaining programs, a significant portion of the retreat was dedicated to hands-on proposal writing training.
Sessions covered:
- Introduction to proposal development
- Common reasons grant applications fail
- Writing clear and measurable project goals and objectives
- Developing strong logical frameworks
- Crafting compelling and evidence-based problem statements
Rather than focusing solely on theory, facilitators guided staff through practical exercises on proposal writing including
- Using credible data and research to define problems
- Aligning projects with donor priorities and funding guidelines
- Writing SMART objectives
- Building clear and coherent logical frameworks
- Developing realistic and transparent budgets
- Demonstrating sustainability and long-term impact
Staff worked collaboratively in groups to develop concept papers based on lessons learned. These drafts were presented in plenary for constructive feedback, peer learning, and refinement towards fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in NGO Work
Another forward-looking session examined the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in nonprofit communication and programming. Participants discussed how AI tools can support report writing, proposal drafting, knowledge management, and social media engagement.
At the same time, facilitators emphasized ethical considerations such as plagiarism, data privacy, misinformation, and accuracy. Staff were reminded that while AI can enhance efficiency, it must be used responsibly and ethically to maintain credibility and organizational integrity.
A Renewed Vision for 2026
The retreat concluded with a strategic reflection session focused on translating learning into action. Departments identified practical steps to improve internal coordination, strengthen program design, and enhance fundraising outcomes in 2026.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Obatunde Oladapo encouraged staff to embody the values discussed during the retreat by fostering teamwork, strengthening leadership practices, and continuously improving the quality of PLAN Foundation’s proposals and programs.
The 2026 Annual Staff Retreat ended on an inspiring and hopeful note. Staff departed more motivated, better equipped with practical skills, and united in advancing PLAN Foundation’s mission to support and empower women, youth, men and people living with disabilities on healthcare, gender-based violence, community development and sustainable livelihood through research, advocacy, capacity building and service delivery. The retreat reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continuous learning, strategic growth, and sustainable impact in the years ahead.
PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.
For more details on PLAN Foundation, engage us on our social media accounts on
X (Twitter): @NG_PLAN
Instagram: @planfoundationng
Facebook: @PLANFoundationNG
YouTube: @PLANFoundationNG
Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer,
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation)
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng
