The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), with support from the MacArthur Foundation, has graduated its first cohort of 30 anti-corruption changemakers through its Behavioural Insights Network Transparency & Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship.

The programme saw fellows from diverse sectors complete their training, equipping them to champion anti-corruption efforts across Nigeria.

As part of the initiative, the fellows are expected to leverage their expertise to design and implement innovative strategies aimed at fostering transparency and accountability in governance and society.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Abuja, on November 27, 2024, the Executive Director of PIC, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, emphasised that the BiNTA fellowship was designed to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption change makers to leverage behavioural insights to disrupt the socially normative status of corruption in Nigeria.

“We are moving you from being fellows into collaborators. Together, we will be driving a large ecosystem of people who can do valuable work to fight corruption in Nigeria,” she stated.

She affirmed that the Policy Innovation Centre will continue to build capacity for Nigerians committed to combating corruption, ensuring the initiative’s sustainability beyond this first cohort.

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, who was also present at the ceremony, lauded the fellowship as a milestone in the fight against corruption and promotion of ethical practices across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

“It is my firm belief that the knowledge, insight and solutions by the BiNTA fellows will make a significant impact on the way we approach governance and anti corruption initiatives in Nigeria,” he stated.

He lauded MacArthur foundation for their support for this important initiative, adding that their continued investment in Nigeria’s future is invaluable.

“We are all deeply appreciative of your partnership and quest for a more transparent and accountable society.” commending the MacArthur foundation for their support,” he said.

One of the BiNTA Fellows, Winner Mugana, described the fellowship as an incredible journey that provided the support she needed to drive change in the energy sector within Kabusa Community, Abuja.

“Beyond the impact on the community, I have personally gained so much from this fellowship that I can apply in my work in the energy sector. I am very grateful to the Policy Innovation Centre and the MacArthur Foundation for the opportunity to be part of this programme,” she shared.

The six-month fellowship included rigorous training and mentorship, a co-creation phase for developing anti-corruption initiatives using behavioural insights, and an implementation phase where fellows executed their projects with PIC’s support.

At the event, PIC also launched the Behavioural Insights Network, a community of practice for behavioural insights practitioners, and the enhanced Learning Management System to support this ecosystem.

The Project Coordinator, Femi Obidare, described these as essential platforms for sustaining and expanding anti-corruption efforts.

Senior Programme Officer at the MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Amina Salihu, praised the fellows’ project presentations, describing them as “strategically relevant”.

Salihu highlighted the importance of applying behavioural insights in tackling other societal issues, and urged fellows to continue applying their learning.

She also underscored the importance of integrating gender and social inclusion strategies into projects and called for strategic government engagement at all levels.

BiNTA Fellowship was designed by the Policy Innovation Centre’s Behavioural Innovation Lab, and is set to start a second cohort by the second quarter of 2025.