Step Up Nigeria has called for stronger legal protection for whistleblowers in the country, stressing the need for robust legislation to safeguard individuals who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
The organisation made the commendation during the virtual announcement and awards ceremony of the 2026 World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF).
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Speaking at the event, the Director of Programmes, Step Up Nigeria, Feranmi Iyanda, said the competition was not only about announcing winners but also celebrating young voices that challenge silence and promote accountability.
Iyanda also said that the event was put in place to celebrate the courage and creativity of young Nigerians who used art and media to promote transparency, accountability and whistleblowing in society.
”Today is not only about announcing winners. It is about celebrating courage, creativity, and the power of young voices to shape culture, challenge silence, and promote accountability in our society,” he said.
Iyanda said the competition provided a platform for young Nigerians to explore how society could be built where speaking against wrongdoing was viewed as a responsibility rather than betrayal.
According to her, the entries that were received addressed corruption, the risks faced by whistleblowers, integrity, accountability, abuse, injustice, environmental harm and workplace misconduct.
She appreciated PPLAAF, judges, partner institutions, media organisations and all participants for supporting the initiative.
Also speaking, Dr Shekwogaza Kure, Communications Manager, Step Up Nigeria, said the competition received 172 submissions from Nigerians between the ages of 17 and 35.
”From a total of 172 submissions by talented Nigerians aged 17 to 35 years, we have witnessed an outpouring of creativity in the fight against corruption.
”These works powerfully captured the heroic role of whistleblowers, the need for transparency and accountability, and the urgent demand for better legal protections.”
Kure said written articles recorded the highest number of entries with 66 submissions, followed by poems and spoken word with 45 entries, artwork with 30, music with 18, and short videos or skits with 13.
He added that 91 per cent of the entries were submitted through social media platforms, demonstrating the role of digital media in mobilising young people for social change.
According to him, Lagos State recorded the highest number of submissions with 37 entries, followed by the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) with 31 and Nasarawa State with 12.
Kure urged government, civil society organisations and the private sector to strengthen whistleblower protection laws and policies in the country.
”Silence enables corruption; but courage, amplified through art and media, builds nations,” he said.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment and Re-Orientation Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the collaboration between the organisation and the commission reflected the desire of Nigerians to channel their creativity towards positive societal change.
Mohammed said the initiative encouraged young people to move away from crime and use their talents to promote integrity and good governance.
Similarly, Dr Sina Babasola, Deputy Director, Public Education Department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said the competition showcased the creativity of Nigerian youths and highlighted the need for stronger protection for whistleblowers.
NAN reports that the top five winners of the competition were Moses Sodipo (Artwork Category), Anita Chigbomkpa (Spoken Word Category), Damilola Akinfolarin (Music Category), Oguche Onuche (Written Category), and Gilbert Owan (Skit/Short Film Category).(NAN)
