By Priscailla Osaje
The Step Up Nigeria, an NGO, in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), has opened entries for the 2026 World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition.
The Director of Programmes, Step Up Nigeria, Oluwaferanmi Iyanda, said at a news conference in Abuja on Monday that the initiative aimed at amplifying youth voices in the fight against corruption through creative expression.
Iyanda said that the competition would engage youths in promoting transparency, accountability and whistleblower protection in Nigeria.
She explained that the competition formed part of activities marking the 2026 World Whistleblower Day celebration scheduled for June 23.
She said Nigerian youths aged 15 to 35 were invited to submit creative works including artworks, music, skits, spoken word performances, articles and short stories highlighting the importance of whistleblowing in exposing wrongdoing.
According to her, entries are expected to address themes such as transparency in governance, risks faced by whistleblowers and the urgent need for legal protection against retaliation.
Iyanda noted that the initiative aligned with Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which encouraged measures to protect individuals who reported corruption in good faith.
She added that the submission deadline had been extended to April 12, 2026, to allow more young Nigerians participate, stressing that participation was free.
“The goal is to change the perception of whistleblowing from betrayal to an act of courage that strengthens democracy and promotes public interest,” she said.
Iyanda said Nigeria still lacked comprehensive legal protection for whistleblowers in spite of several legislative attempts over the years.
She noted that stronger laws would encourage responsible disclosure of corruption.
She estimated that Nigeria could have saved or recovered over N3 trillion in looted funds in the past two decades if whistleblower protection mechanisms were strengthened.
The director disclosed that five winners would emerge across categories including music, visual arts, skits, poetry and writing, with a total prize pool of N2 million.
She added that winning entries would also be featured in educational podcast episodes aimed at sustaining conversations on whistleblower protection.
Also speaking, the Spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, described whistleblowing as a vital intelligence-gathering mechanism in the anti-corruption fight.
Oyewale said combating corruption required collective national participation, urging young Nigerians to deploy their creativity and innovation toward promoting integrity and accountability.
He assured that the commission had operational measures to protect individuals who provide credible information, pending the enactment of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
