The 2026 World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition has concluded with five winners recognised for using art and storytelling to promote whistleblower protection and accountability. Organised by Step Up Nigeria in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), the initiative attracted 172 entries from young people across 31 states.
Competition Winners Announced
The winners were announced across five categories. Gilbert Owan won the skit category with The Pledge. Akinfolarin Jeremiah Damilola secured the music category with Voice Against Silence. Anita Chigbomkpa Nwokoji emerged winner in poetry and spoken word for On The 7th Floor. Moses Idowu Sodipo claimed the art category with The Veil of Governance. Oguche Gabriel Onuche won the written article category for In A World of Loud Evil, Silence is Permission.
The competition received 111 entries from male participants and 61 from female participants, reflecting widespread interest in accountability and good governance issues.
Prizes and Fellowship Opportunity
Each winner received a cash prize of N500,000 and became part of the inaugural cohort of World Whistleblower Day Fellows. Step Up Nigeria's Director of Programmes, Feranmi Iyanda, said the quality of entries reflected growing youth engagement in whistleblowing and accountability initiatives. The fellowship network will support future advocacy efforts and provide mentorship opportunities for upcoming participants.
Stakeholders Call for Stronger Protection
The competition culminated in a media roundtable that brought together anti-corruption agencies, journalists, civil society organisations, competition winners and youth advocates. Discussions focused on the role of creative expression in encouraging citizens to speak out against wrongdoing and strengthening transparency in public life.
Step Up Nigeria's Communications Manager, Shekwogaza Kure, said the initiative was created to provide young Nigerians with a platform to contribute to national conversations on transparency and accountability. “The competition gave young Nigerians an opportunity to use creativity as a tool for advocacy,” Kure said. She also disclosed plans to release two podcast episodes featuring experts and competition winners as part of activities commemorating World Whistleblower Day.
Representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Suleiman Achebe spoke on efforts to nurture integrity among young Nigerians through anti-corruption clubs and student advocacy programmes. “Part of the bigger definition of integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching,” Achebe said.
Impact on Participants
Participants described the competition as a valuable opportunity that strengthened their commitment to using creative talent for social impact. The initiative was part of broader efforts to engage young people in conversations around integrity, civic responsibility and the protection of individuals who report misconduct.
