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!

We hope 2026 has been off to a great start for you. As the year unfolds, we’re excited to share some of the key milestones we’ve achieved so far and give you a glimpse of what’s ahead. Join us as we recap our top highlights and the impact we’re making together. Here’s to a truly magnificent year ahead! ✨🎉

STEP UP NIGERIA PARTNERS WITH PPLAAF FOR 2026 WORLD WHISTLEBLOWER DAY

We are excited to announce our partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) to launch the 2026 World Whistleblower Day Art & Media Competition in Nigeria. This youth-focused initiative will empower young Nigerians to use creative storytelling to promote whistleblowing, strengthen accountability, and advocate for stronger whistleblower protection frameworks. Together, we are building a generation that chooses integrity.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The competition invites Nigerian youth to submit original creative works, including artwork, short skits, songs, spoken word performances, articles, and short stories that highlight:

The role of whistleblowers in exposing wrongdoing
The importance of transparency and accountability in governance
The urgent need for effective legal protections against retaliation

The competition runs from March 9th to June 2026 and is open exclusively to Nigerian citizens aged 15–35 years. Participants under 18 must provide parental or guardian consent.

All submissions must be original works created without the use of artificial intelligence for content generation (AI tools may be used for editing only). Screening mechanisms will ensure compliance.

There is no entry fee, and winners will receive cash, prizes, and recognition up to 2 million naira.

For more information on the eligibility criteria, submission guidelines, and timelines, visit Step Up Nigeria’s website and communication platforms once the submission portal opens.

REFLECTIONS AND SETTING THE TONE FOR THE YEAR

We kicked off the year with our annual team retreat. It was a time to pause, reflect, and plan intentionally for the months ahead. The retreat focused on wellness, strategic planning, and identifying bold priorities for the future. We also took time to unpack real challenges and celebrate the remarkable outcomes achieved by our teams. We remain deeply committed to building a transparent and equitable society, and look forward to sharing more of our plans with you.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM STEP UP NIGERIA IN 2026

In the newest episode of our podcast, our Director of Programmes, Feranmi Iyanda, and Communications Manager, Shekwogaza Kure, shared an inspiring roadmap of activities we will pursue in 2026. One of the highlights includes expanding our work to other countries, states, and sectors. Ahead of the election year, they also discussed the plans to mobilise young people to vote with integrity, with a focus on civic participation, reporting, and rejection of vote-buying norms. Interested in all that we do? Then listen with this link!