Civil society organisation demands stronger legal safeguards as 2026 World Whistleblower Day events spotlight gaps in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework
Step Up Nigeria has renewed its call for the enactment of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law, urging the Federal Government to provide stronger legal safeguards for citizens who expose corruption and misconduct.
The appeal came during a media roundtable in Abuja, organised in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) as part of the 2026 World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition.
Speaking at the event, Step Up Nigeria’s Director of Programmes, Mrs Feranmi Iyanda, expressed concern over the continued absence of dedicated statutory protection despite the existence of a whistleblower policy introduced in 2016.
“Everything we are advocating here is for the law to protect whistleblowers,” she said. “There is currently no whistleblower protection law that clearly mandates protections for whistleblowers in Nigeria. Across the entire African continent, only eight countries have enacted such legislation, which shows there is still significant work to be done.”
The lack of statutory protection leaves individuals who report wrongdoing vulnerable to intimidation, victimisation and retaliation, she added.
ICPC outlines youth integrity initiatives
Representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Deputy Director Suleiman Achile highlighted ongoing efforts to build a culture of integrity among young Nigerians.
Through Dr Babasola Oluwasina, Deputy Director of the Education Department, Achile explained that the Commission has established Anti-Corruption Clubs in secondary schools and Student Anti-Corruption Vanguards in tertiary institutions nationwide.
“These initiatives are designed to equip young people with the values of honesty, integrity, and accountability so they can become responsible citizens and ethical leaders wherever they find themselves,” he said.
The Commission is also implementing the National Ethics and Integrity Policy to strengthen ethical standards across all sectors.
Art competition amplifies youth voices
A major highlight of the event was the World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition, which provided a platform for young Nigerians to use creativity as a tool for advocacy.
Step Up Nigeria’s Communications Manager, Dr Shekwogaza Kure, said the competition attracted 172 entries—111 male and 61 female participants—demonstrating growing youth interest in governance and anti-corruption advocacy.
Winners emerged across categories including music, skits, poetry, artwork and digital media. Overall winners received ₦500,000 each, while runners-up received ₦200,000.
The category winners were Gilbert Owan (Skits), Damilola Akinfolarin (Music), Anita Nwokoji (Poetry and Spoken Word), Moses Sodipo (Artwork), and Oguche Onuche.
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Anita Nwokoji urged Nigerians to reject silence in the face of wrongdoing. “Wrongdoing is wrongdoing, whether it occurs in the workplace, in our communities, in schools, religious institutions, or any other environment. People must be willing to speak up whenever they witness corruption or misconduct,” she said.
Participants emphasised that corruption exists not only in government institutions but also in homes, businesses, schools and religious organisations, stressing that promoting integrity requires collective action from all citizens.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from civil society organisations, media professionals, youth leaders and anti-corruption advocates to continue championing whistleblower protection reforms and fostering a culture of transparency across Nigeria.
The World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition forms part of Step Up Nigeria’s broader mission to empower citizens, particularly young people, to become active champions of integrity, good governance and social accountability.
