Building bridges to combat corruption through a community of integrity champions, fostering enhanced service delivery in Nigeria…
Hello Stepper! 👋
We hope you’re having a wonderful year so far!
Young people are finding their voices.
Government is strengthening its confidence in ethics education.
New partnerships are expanding our impact.
These are just some of the moments that defined our second quarter.
In this edition, we’re celebrating the young creatives who inspired the nation through the World Whistleblower Day Arts & Media Competition, advancing ethics education and strengthening partnerships that promote integrity. The past few months have been filled with meaningful progress.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We hope you enjoy the highlights!
MEET THE WINNERS OF THE 2026 WORLD WHISTLEBLOWER DAY ARTS & MEDIA COMPETITION
Creativity met courage in this year’s World Whistleblower Day Arts & Media Competition, as young Nigerians from across the country used their talents to champion integrity, accountability, and the importance of speaking up against corruption.
Following the successful launch of the competition in March, we received an overwhelming response, with more than 170 entries from over 30 states across Nigeria. Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 submitted powerful works of art, music, poetry, film, and writing. Each offering a unique perspective on the role of whistleblowers in building a more transparent and accountable society.
After a rigorous selection process, we are proud to celebrate our category winners:
- Gilbert Owan – Skit/Film
- Akinfolarin Jeremiah Damilola – Music
- Anita Nwokoji – Poetry & Spoken Word
- Moses Idowu Sodipo – Visual Art
- Oguche Gabriel – Writing
Each winning entry reflects the creativity, passion, and commitment of a new generation determined to use their voices to inspire positive change.
To ensure a transparent and credible judging process, entries were reviewed by an esteemed panel comprising Mbuotidem Johnson, Founder and CEO of Basement Animation Studio; Mbasiti Jesse, Nollywood actress, media entrepreneur, and purpose coach; and Dr. Babasola Oluwasina, Deputy Director and Acting Head of the Public Education Department at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Their expertise helped identify outstanding entries while reinforcing the competition’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and meaningful civic engagement.
Watch the winning entries and hear the inspiring stories behind them HERE
FROM COMPETITION TO CONVERSATION: WINNERS SHARE THEIR MESSAGE ON WORLD WHISTLEBLOWER DAY
As part of this year’s World Whistleblower Day activities, we hosted a press conference bringing together the competition winners, media, and partners to amplify the voices of young Nigerians championing whistleblower protection and integrity through creativity.
Speaking during the event, winners used the platform to challenge misconceptions around whistleblowing and encourage more young Nigerians to speak up with courage and integrity.
The event also featured a panel discussion with representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alongside Step Up Nigeria, who reflected on the importance of partnerships in promoting a culture of integrity.
The conversation reinforced a powerful message: when young people are given a platform to express themselves, creativity can become a catalyst for integrity, accountability, and civic action. Catch a glimpse of the event HERE.
LATEST ON THE STEP UP NIGERIA PODCAST
This quarter, our podcast continued to spark important conversations on integrity, whistleblower protection, and the fight against corruption. From expert insights to inspiring conversations with young creatives, here are our latest episodes.
🎙️ Episode 110 – Who Protects the Truth-Tellers?
Following the World Whistleblower Day Arts & Media Competition, Feranmi (PD, Step Up Nigeria) and Jimmy (ED, PPLAAF) sat down with the five competition winners to explore the stories behind their creative works and discuss courage, accountability, and the risks of speaking up. Their reflections remind us why protecting whistleblowers is essential to building a culture of integrity. Watch or listen here: https://bit.ly/Ep110WhoProtectsTheTruthTellers.
🎙️ Episode 109 – The Cost of Telling the Truth
What does it really cost to be a whistleblower in Nigeria? Featuring experts from the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), this episode examines the urgent need for stronger legal protections and why Nigeria’s current framework falls short of international standards. Watch here: https://youtu.be/niIkSgTKEKQ?si=LXkm_-3X2CYadtW8 OR listen here: https://bit.ly/EP109TheCostOfTellingTheTruth.
🎙️ Episode 108 – Understanding Nigeria’s CPI Ranking
What does Nigeria’s Corruption Perceptions Index score actually tell us? Guests from Connected Development (CODE) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria unpack how the CPI works, what it measures, and what Nigeria’s performance means for governance and public trust. Listen here: https://bit.ly/SUNEpisode108
GOVERNMENT CONFIDENCE IN STEP UP NIGERIA’S INTEGRITY EDUCATION MODEL IS GROWING
This quarter marked an important milestone for our ethics education programme as two major education authorities, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) and the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB), approved Step Up Nigeria to expand values-based education in public schools.
In Lagos, LASUBEB approved our teacher training programme, equipping educators across the state’s Local Government Education Authorities with practical approaches to integrating ethics and anti-corruption education into classroom learning. In the FCT, UBEB granted approval for our team to engage Junior Secondary School students through anti-corruption sensitization sessions and the distribution of our storybooks. Together, these partnerships represent another significant step towards raising a generation of ethical leaders equipped to build a more transparent and accountable Nigeria.
STEP UP NIGERIA SCHOOLS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2026 BIG IDEAS PLATFORM
One of the greatest measures of our impact is seeing young people confidently lead conversations on ethics beyond our programmes. At the 2026 Big Ideas Platform (BIP), hosted by the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, students from two Step Up Nigeria-trained schools took centre stage, presenting innovative solutions on brain health and mental wellbeing while demonstrating the confidence, critical thinking, and ethical leadership fostered through values-based education.
Our Director of Programmes, Feranmi Iyanda, served as a panelist/judge, joining other industry leaders in evaluating the students’ presentations. Seeing students we’ve worked with share their ideas on a national platform was a proud reminder that investing in values-based education creates leaders whose impact extends far beyond the classroom.
STRENGTHENING A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY IN NASARAWA SCHOOLS
Step Up Nigeria joined the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs in Nasarawa State, reaffirming our shared commitment to raising a generation of young Nigerians who choose integrity over corruption.
Representing our Director of Programmes, Gina Anthony-Essien emphasized that empowering young people with the right values today is key to building a more accountable society tomorrow. Through our continued partnership with the ICPC, we remain committed to equipping students to become champions of honesty, ethical leadership, and positive change in their schools and communities.
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INTEGRITY CHAMPIONS
This quarter, we continued to inspire young minds through our interactive ethics education sessions in schools across Lagos, Abuja, and Nasarawa States. Using Halima’s Vote, one of our anti-corruption storybooks, students explored the values of courage, honesty, and responsibility, and how these can guide everyday decisions in the face of challenges such as cheating and bribery.
By encouraging discussion, critical thinking, and practical action, the sessions equipped students with the confidence to make ethical choices and become champions of integrity in their schools, homes, and communities.
WHAT’S NEXT? HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT IN Q3
The momentum continues! Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead in the coming months:
🌍 Launching Project ETHICS in Ghana
We’ll officially launch Project ETHICS – Empowering Tomorrow’s Heroes with Integrity, Citizenship & Service in Ghana, marking an exciting milestone in our mission to equip the next generation of ethical leaders across Africa.
🗳️ First-Time Voter Integrity Hangouts
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, our First-Time Voter Integrity Initiative is hitting the road! Through interactive hangouts and community outreaches, we’ll engage young Nigerians in conversations about responsible citizenship, ethical leadership, and good governance. Got your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC)? Join us as we bring these conversations to a city near you.
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