Yiaga Africa Initiative

Established in 2007, the YIAGA Africa Initiative (YIAGA Africa) is a Nigerian nonprofit committed to the promotion of democratic governance, human rights, and civic engagement. The previous award to YIAGA Africa led to the establishment of a network of radio ambassadors whose shows have galvanized young voices for anti-corruption and accountability across Nigeria. It supported anti-corruption debates in more than fourteen universities, creating networks of undergraduates actively involved in anti-corruption discourse in the university system and outside. This award enables YIAGA Africa to consolidate these two crucial achievements by strengthening coordination of the radio ambassadors’ work; scaling up the campus debates to promote a culture of participation, transparency, and accountability; and strengthening its organization to enhance effective and efficient delivery of program outcomes. YIAGA Africa is collaborating with other Foundation grantees to implement the project. This award contributes to On Nigeria’s goal of reducing corruption by supporting Nigerian-led efforts that strengthen accountability, transparency, and participation.

The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) is a Nigerian nonprofit dedicated to youth empowerment and mobilization for political participation, transparency, and accountability. This award enables YIAGA to deepen ownership of the fight against corruption and engage Nigerian youth in anti-corruption conversations and organizing. YIAGA is working with its (youth) media ambassadors to amplify the reach of investigative reporting by the Foundation’s media and journalism awardees. It is educating, organizing, and collaborating with youth associations and groups to demand accountability and track, report, and campaign for resolution on new and old corruption cases. The project contributes to a new atmosphere of accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria.

The purpose of the grant to YIAGA is to mobilize young people for effective participation and improved electoral governance through issue-based civic and voter education. The recommended grant will support a mapping/selection of prominent young radio presenters; a voter education content development workshop for 60 participants selected from youth organizations, radio presenters and civil society organizations; hosting the web portal www.ThumbItRight.org; the production of a voter education toolkit for Young Voter Education Volunteers; and outreach to universities.