Yisa Usman, a former deputy director of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has been named runner-up in the 2026 Ellsberg Whistleblower Award.
Usman was selected by an independent international jury as the closest runner-up, while Andrés Olarte Peña, Colombian environmental whistleblower, emerged as the overall winner of the award.
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.
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 called on the federal government to transmit the delayed whistleblower protection bill to the national assembly and ensure its speedy passage into law.
Named after Daniel Ellsberg, who released the Pentagon Papers in 1971, the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award honours individuals whose actions advance democratic accountability and the public’s right to know.
The award, presented annually by an international jury, carries a €10,000 prize.
The organisation said Usman was nominated for the award by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG) on the recommendation of AFRICMIL.
