FORMER JAMB DEPUTY DIRECTOR NAMED RUNNER-UP IN INTERNATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER AWARD
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Yisa Usman, who used to be a deputy director at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, or JAMB, has been chosen as the runner–up for the 2026 Ellsberg Whistleblower Award.
A group of judges from around the world picked Yisa Usman as the closest second place, while Andrés Olarte Peña, a Colombian person who exposed environmental issues, won the award overall.
In a statement, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) welcomed the recognition, describing it as an affirmation of the public value of whistleblowing in Nigeria.
The organization stated that Usman was nominated for the award by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG) based on a recommendation from AFRICMIL.
It added that Chido Onumah, PRIMORG’s coordinator, was also among the 10 members of the award’s jury.
According to the jury, Usman’s whistleblowing exposed systemic violations of public financial management rules and recruitment procedures within JAMB, contributing to national conversations on corruption, governance reforms, and whistleblower protection.
AFRICMIL said the recognition highlights the global relevance of Usman’s disclosures and their importance to Nigeria’s pursuit of transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity.
The organisation noted that Usman has faced dismissal from public service, prolonged legal battles, and threats to his family, underscoring the risks faced by whistleblowers in the absence of strong legal protections.
AFRICMIL urged the federal government to send the delayed whistleblower protection bill to the national assembly and make sure it becomes law quickly.
The Ellsberg Whistleblower Award, named after Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1971, celebrates people who help ensure transparency and the public‘s right to know.
The award, given every year by an international group of judges, includes a prize of 10,000 euros.
AFRICMIL said Usman’s courage and commitment to public interest reflect the values the award seeks to uphold, adding that whistleblowers remain essential to democratic governance.
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