The Policy and Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has inducted 30 fellows as part of its inaugural Behavioural Insights Network Transparency Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship Programme to tackle corruption in Nigeria.
The BiNTA fellowship programme, which is supported by MacArthur Foundation is a 6-month long program that includes training, a co-creation period, and an implementation phase that allows fellows to implement anti-corruption programmes with the support of mentors and experts within the anti-corruption space.
While delivering her welcome remarks at the three-day induction and training program, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of the PIC, congratulated selected fellows for being part of the fellowship program, which is a recognition of their passion and commitment to birthing a new Nigeria devoid of corruption.
Dr. Dirisu also explained that the fellowship programme has been designed to strengthen fellows’ capacity to succeed as effective anti-corruption changemakers.
She said, “with a training curriculum developed based on evidence, a faculty of seasoned experts and mentors, and a team of experienced professionals prepared to support you all the way, the BiNTA methodology is sure to develop you into frontline behavioural change practitioners, uniquely empowered to drive lasting and sustainable change through human-centred policies, programmes and interventions.”
Femi Obidare, Programme Officer at PIC, while speaking about the objectives of the fellowship said the fellowship has been designed “with the aim to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption changemakers to leverage Behavioural Insights (BI) in disrupting the socially normative status of corruption in Nigeria.”
Obidare charged all fellows to “maintain highest standards of probity, transparency, and accountability during and after the fellowship in all business, private and public affairs.”
Speaking about the training, one of the fellows, Nathaniel Ovabor commended the PIC for a well-packed training which has been insightful, unraveling and thought-provoking, noting that “it has deepened my understanding about the relevance of culture, choices and norms in shaping policies.”
Ovabor also shared that, “throughout the fellowship programme, I hope to learn the fundamentals of BI, practical methods to apply BI interventions and novel ways in corruption prevention, through behavioral analysis. Additionally, I am looking forward to relating with other practitioners in the field.”
He also appreciated the PIC team for an opportunity to be a foundational member of the Community of Practice for BI, adding that “this is an opportunity of a lifetime that must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”
Also, Ayo Momodu, a fellow from Ondo State noted that the training has been enriching, providing valuable insights into the field of BI and its application, especially as it relates to anti-corruption.
She noted that “during the fellowship, I aim to deepen her understanding of BI and contribute to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria.”
A major highlight of the three-day programme was a visit by Dr. Amina Saliu, Senior Programme Officer at the MacArthur Foundation and Erin Sines, Co-Director, On Nigeria Programme.
The three-day training was facilitated by experts including Prof Elijah Okebukola, a Senior Fellow at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ACAN-ICPC); Zain Hussain, Associate Advisor in the BI Team; Akinwumi Akinola, BI Lead at the PIC; and Niyi Adekanla, Behavioural Economist with PIC.
The 30 selected fellows are; Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONews Service, Benson Adeola David, Ayodeji Owadara, Godwin Agaba Ochube, Oludamilola Onemano, Oluwabunmi Falebita, Ruth Tilley Gyado, Adamu Auta Adamu, Nathaniel Ovabor, Uchenna Arisukwu, Faith Nwadishi, Adebayo Abdulahi Adekunle, Opeyemi Ibitoye, Ayodele Ayotomiwa Olutayo, Daisi Omokungbe, and Omata David.
Others are: Tolulope Makinwa, Uchechi Uzozie Thelma, Goodness Omatule, Daniel Stephen, Safiya Stephanie Musa, Ugbede Abdul, Victor Ajieroh, Orinya Agbaji Orinya, Shiiwua Mnenga, Motunrayo Momodu, Muhammad Sani Kassim, Muhammad Mubarak Abdulkarim, Ogunleye Paulinarh Bolatito, and Winner Mugana.