Nigerian Activist Joins Jury For Global Mandela–Machel Awards

Renowned Nigerian anti-corruption activist and grassroots mobilizer, Hamzat Lawal, has been appointed as a jury member for the 2024/25 edition of the Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards, coordinated by global civil society alliance, CIVICUS.

The innovation awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate individuals and organizations whose groundbreaking initiatives drive social justice, bridge divides, and uplift humanity across the globe.

Lawal joins a diverse panel of distinguished jurors including Abhishek Thakore (India), Rajae Boujnah (Morocco), Tenywa John Grace (Uganda), and Rhaea Russell-Cartwright (United Kingdom).

In her announcement to the jury panel, Safia Khan, innovation and quality management officer at CIVICUS, made reference to the scale of the awards this year.

“We have received just over 800 applications from 76 countries, in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, and Arabic,” she said.

The selection process, which began in March 2025, will involve reviewing a shortlist of standout applications from five thematic categories.

Lawal and his fellow jurors will help determine the winners based on innovation, community impact and potential for scale.

Lawal, chief executive of Connected Development (CODE), is well-known for his homegrown citizen-led initiative, ‘Follow The Money’, which tracks government expenditure in rural communities and international aid funds.

His track record of mobilizing communities for transparency and accountability earned him a nomination from a CIVICUS alliance member.

In a message to Lawal, CIVICUS expressed confidence in his expertise, saying: “Having researched your anti-corruption work, we believe we would really benefit from your expertise to help us recognize and celebrate the most innovative minds and projects of the year.”

Speaking on the appointment, Lawal said: “It is an honour to serve as a juror for such a powerful initiative that shines a light on the courageous innovators working to make the world more just. This is not just about awards—it’s about fueling hope and accelerating grassroots change.”

CIVICUS described the role of jurors as vital to upholding the integrity and vision of the awards. In return, they help spotlight initiatives that could benefit from mentorship, seed funding, and the CIVICUS global platform.

The Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards were launched in 2004, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel.

Past awardees include over 40 change-makers from 24 countries.