AFRICMIL Hails Global Recognition for Whistleblower Yisa Usman

***Demands Protection Law
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has applauded international recognition granted to Nigerian whistleblower Yisa Usman while renewing its call for a legal framework to protect individuals who expose corruption and misconduct in public institutions.
Usman emerged the closest runner-up for the 2026 Ellsberg Whistleblower Award, a global honour celebrating individuals who risk personal safety to reveal wrongdoing in the public interest. The award ceremony was held March 12 at taz Kantine in Berlin, Germany.
The overall winner was Colombian environmental whistleblower Andrés Olarte Peña, who was recognised for exposing environmental crimes in his country.
Usman, a former Deputy Director at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), gained attention after revealing alleged violations of public financial management procedures and irregularities in recruitment within the examination body. His disclosures triggered nationwide debate about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public institutions.
The nomination was submitted by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG) following a recommendation by AFRICMIL, and was considered alongside several other nominations from across the world.
AFRICMIL Coordinator Chido Onumah, who served on the 10-member international jury that reviewed the nominations, said the recognition highlights the importance of protecting whistleblowers globally.
However, the organisation raised concern that Usman could not attend the ceremony due to ongoing reprisals in Nigeria.
According to AFRICMIL, since exposing the alleged irregularities, Usman has faced dismissal from public service, prolonged legal battles, threats to his safety and that of his family, as well as restrictions affecting his movement and livelihood.
The group argued that his experience reflects the dangers faced by whistleblowers in Nigeria, where there is currently no comprehensive law guaranteeing their protection.
AFRICMIL therefore urged the Nigerian government to urgently enact a Whistleblower Protection Law, stressing that safeguarding individuals who expose wrongdoing is crucial to strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional reform in the country.
The organisation commended Usman for what it described as his courage and resilience, reiterating its commitment to supporting whistleblowers and advancing accountability in Nigeria.