STEP UP NIGERIA NEWSLETTER – Step Up Nigeria

Building bridges to combat corruption through a community of integrity champions, fostering enhanced service delivery in Nigeria…

Hello Stepper!

The first quarter of the year is gone, and we are excited to share updates from our work since then. We successfully concluded the Step Up Nigeria Fellowship Program, celebrating the Fellows’ impact in promoting integrity and accountability in Nasarawa State. We also wrapped up the 12th Cohort of our Teachers Training Programme, equipping educators with the tools to inspire the next generation. Here are the key highlights from February and March! 🌟🎉

ACCESS TO SECONDARY EDUCATION AFTER 76 YEARS: SPOTLIGHTING THE IMPACT OF OUR 2024 FELLOWS

In Nasarawa State, a movement of young changemakers is reshaping the future of their communities. Through the Step Up Nigeria Fellowship Program, supported by LEAP Africa’s Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, 30 determined youths from five underserved communities—Agunji, Apiawoyi, Bukan Sidi, Goho Titi, and Mandara—have risen to the challenge of demanding better services for their people. Armed with skills in civic engagement and advocacy, these fellows did more than just learn—they acted. From securing access to healthcare and education to tackling water scarcity, security, and infrastructure challenges, their collective efforts are already transforming lives. Here’s how each community is stepping up for change:

Agunji: Lighting the Path for Education & Water

In Agunji, five extraordinary Fellows took bold steps to improve healthcare and education outcomes in their community. Their advocacy led to the roofing of three rooms in the health center and the completion of a new laboratory room, now equipped with a modern microscope and an additional lab technician. Since 1948, the only school in the area was the missionary primary school (RCM Agunji). Thanks to the advocacy of the Fellows, a Junior Secondary School was approved and established. Now, in 2025, the community celebrates having a secondary school for the first time in 76 years.

Apiawoyi: Fighting for Water & Education

In Apiawoyi, the Fellows listened to their community elders, women, and youths, to identify their most pressing needs: a lack of clean water and quality education. With only two wells, the community struggles daily to access clean water. Additionally, both the primary and secondary schools lack essential infrastructure and qualified teachers, which negatively affects the quality of learning. Determined to create change, the Fellows launched strategic interventions to advocate for solutions, mobilize stakeholders, and push for improved service delivery. Their efforts resulted in new classroom desk chairs for the local primary school, allowing more children to attend, and the establishment of one borehole that provides clean water for the community.

Bukan Sidi: Building Bridges, Strengthening Ties

In Bukan Sidi, Fellows saw an obstacle and turned it into an opportunity. Faced with poor connectivity between their community and neighboring areas, they united their voices, community, stakeholders, and resources to construct a new bridge. This is more than an infrastructure project. It’s a symbol of resilience, accountability, and a commitment to progress, ensuring easier access to schools, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Goho Titi: Ensuring Clean Water for All

For the Fellows in Goho Titi, water scarcity was a challenge they refused to accept. Their mission? To provide a solar-powered borehole for the community. Through advocacy, fundraising, and strategic engagement, they secured project space, mobilized community members, and initiated implementation. Their journey proves that when a community stands together and holds leaders accountable, progress flows.

Mandara: Restoring Healthcare, Restoring Hope

For years, the Mandara Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) had been deteriorating, making healthcare inaccessible to many people in the area. The Fellows of Mandara took action to address this issue by leading efforts to renovate the PHC clinic. Their initiatives included replacing the damaged ceiling, improving the overall infrastructure for better service delivery, and expanding access to medical care for both Mandara and neighboring communities.

The Step Up Nigeria Fellows in Nasarawa State have proven that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers of today. Their journey doesn’t end here. With continued support, more communities can break barriers, demand better governance, and create lasting impact. As we celebrate their achievements at the Step Up Nigeria Fellowship Program Closeout Ceremony, one thing is clear—when young people step up, speak out, and take action, real change happens.

LAUNCH OF ANTI-CORRUPTION EDUCATION TOOLS IN NIGERIA

We are excited to announce that come April 10th, we will be launching our New Anti-Corruption Education Tools (A Mobile application, Integrity Website for Schools in Nigeria, and The Anti-corruption Superheroes), a game-changer for integrity education in Nigeria! This milestone, made possible with support from the MacArthur Foundation, celebrates our achievements and paves the way for more significant impact. Join us by registering with the link: https://bit.ly/SUNlaunch

EMPOWERING EDUCATORS TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ETHICAL LEADERS THROUGH OUR TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

As part of our commitment to nurturing a future generation of ethical leaders, our 12th Teacher Training Cohort inspired educators from across the country who participated in this transformative experience. We had over 100 teachers registered for our self-paced training, where they acquired innovative strategies to engage students and incorporate anti-corruption education into their classrooms, fostering a sense of integrity in the youth. At the end of the year, we looked forward to honoring the remarkable contributions of these educators by recognizing an outstanding teacher whose commitment made a significant impact in their school. Together, we will pave the way for an ethical future for Nigeria’s Youth.

BEYOND AID: HOW NIGERIAN CSOs CAN THRIVE AMID GLOBAL FUNDING CUTS

The 95th episode of our podcast features insightful discussions with Emmanuel Bosah from the Integrity Organization, Dr. Bukola Daramola from the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, and Akinwumi Akinola from the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC). They address the challenges posed by funding cuts from the U.S. government on Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria. Together, they share valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance resilience and ensure the long-term sustainability of civil society organizations in Nigeria.

RAISING ETHICALLY DRIVEN GLOBAL CITIZENS IN 2025

In today’s interconnected world, it is our responsibility to ensure that the next generation develops strong ethical values and a sense of global responsibility. This topic was explored in our 96th podcast episode, featuring guests Olumayowa Aleshin, Director of Teacher Development at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and Roger Tirazona, Head of the Department for Ethics Education in Malta’s Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation. They discussed practical ways for parents, educators, and mentors to nurture compassion, critical thinking, and social responsibility in young people. They emphasized the importance of encouraging curiosity about different cultures and fostering a sense of justice and environmental stewardship. Listen here: https://bit.ly/SUNPodcastEpisode96

IDENTIFYING COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING THE DRIVERS OF POLARIZATION AMONGST CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

We engaged with civil society groups to discuss effective strategies for promoting change and reducing polarization in Nigeria during the launch of a policy paper and a dialogue on polarization by Thoughts & Mace Advisory. Our Head of Operations, Grace Ezema, participated in a panel where she proposed practical solutions for bridging divides among civil society organizations (CSOs). She recommended prioritizing common issues such as governance, human rights, and social justice over competing for attention. The conversation also emphasized the importance of peer learning and mentorship between established and emerging organizations. What actions would you take today to improve the civic space for everyone?

AN INTERSECTIONAL APPROACH TO SOCIAL NORMS THAT DRIVE CORRUPTION

The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) with partnership from Corruption, Justice and Legitimacy (CLJ) organized a practical sensemaking workshop aimed at exploring the intersection of social norms (including faith and gender norms) and how it drives corrupt practices. Feranmi Iyanda, our esteemed Program Director and a key member of the Advisory Board, took center stage to share groundbreaking insights from the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) research on the Intersectional Approach to Social Norms and Corruption. She painted a vivid picture of the drivers of corruption and practical solutions to seeing effective behaviour change from our work, how deeply embedded social norms shape behaviors, sometimes reinforcing corrupt practices in Nigeria.

RENEWING NIGERIA’S ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENDA: A PATHWAY FOR CHANGE

At the launch conference for Renewing Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Agenda, a paper from Chatham House titled “Taking Action Against Corruption in Nigeria: Empowering Anti-Corruption Role Models and Coalitions to Change Social Norms” recognized the efforts of Step Up Nigeria in developing and expanding ethical education programs. These programs aim to integrate anti-corruption messages into school curriculums and workplaces, targeting future leaders and promoting positive role models. The full report highlighting Step Up Nigeria’s contributions can be found HERE.

SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY #BUYACHILDABOOK

We launched a campaign to educate young minds on how to combat corruption by providing them with anti-corruption storybooks. Our goal is to create a brighter future for the next generation by empowering children with knowledge and tools to fight corruption. Support our #Buyachildabookcampaign by purchasing any of our anti-corruption storybooks and sharing them with children in your community. Through this campaign, we hope to reach more children and equip them with anti-corruption messages and the need to stand for integrity. You can place your order here for just N2,500 https://bit.ly/BuyAnticorruptionStorybooks