Hamzat Lawal Joins Global Jury for Prestigious Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards
Oru Leonard
Nigerian activist and social accountability champion, Hamzat Lawal, has been appointed to the global jury of the CIVICUS Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards, an honor that underscores his global influence in grassroots advocacy and civic engagement.
Lawal, Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE) and founder of the Follow The Money movement, joins a panel of five distinguished global leaders tasked with recognizing some of the most courageous and innovative social change efforts from around the world. The Awards, hosted by CIVICUS, celebrate initiatives that embody the spirit and legacy of Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel by promoting justice, equity, and people power.
“Joining the jury for the Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards is a great honor,” said Lawal. “This appointment is not just another milestone but a significant opportunity to amplify innovation and courage from the grassroots level to the global stage.”
CIVICUS described Lawal as a critical addition to the jury, citing his globally acknowledged anti-corruption work and influence in promoting transparency through citizen-led movements. “Your participation will not only lend credibility to the awards but also inspire the next generation of innovators,” CIVICUS stated in the appointment announcement.
Lawal is well known for founding Follow The Money, Africa’s largest grassroots, data-driven initiative tracking government spending and advocating for accountability in public service delivery. Under his leadership, CODE has received accolades such as the ONE Africa Award and the Council of Europe Democracy Innovation Award.
He is joined on the jury by Abhishek Thakore (India), Rajae Boujnah (Morocco), Tenywa John Grace (Uganda), and Rhaea Russell-Cartwright (United Kingdom).
Lawal previously served as a judge for the 2022 UN SDG Action Awards and currently acts as a Malala Fund Education Champion, advocating for global education equity and policy reform. His role on the jury aligns with CIVICUS’ mission to support civic innovators shaping a fairer, more inclusive world.
