Tinubu Confers MFR On Vibrant Accountability Advocate Hamzat Lawal

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled the list of 67 honourees for national awards on June 12 to mark this year’s Democracy Day, one name stood out for people familiar with grassroots activism and the often underappreciated fight for public accountability.

For over a decade, Hamzat Lawal has been the driving force behind some of the most impactful and people-oriented movements across Africa. On Thursday, President Tinubu recognised his work by conferring on him the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour.

Hamzat didn’t start his journey in the halls of power. His story began in Kogi State and then in Abuja, where he went to primary school. A former Boys Scout, he always took the lead and mobilised others to provide solutions to societal challenges. He carried that energy through secondary school in Karu, Nasarawa State, and later to the University of Abuja, where he studied Political Science and where his activism first took root.

But the turning point came in 2012 when over 400 children died in Bagega, Zamfara State, due to lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining. While the country moved on, Hamzat couldn’t. He took a 14-hour trip to the remote village to see things for himself. That visit changed everything. He realised that if people in remote places were dying because of government inaction and silence, then someone had to speak up.

This need birthed Follow The Money, which is a grassroots and data-driven initiative that started with a tweet and grew into the largest movement of its kind in Africa. It was a simple idea: if the government says it’s spending public money, then the public has the right to know where that money is going and whether it gets there.

From tracking healthcare allocations in rural Nigeria to spotlighting budget failures across the continent, Follow The Money has become a template for civic advocacy. It’s also a story of how digital tools, investigation, and relentless community engagement can force governments to act.

In 2013, thanks to Follow The Money’s viral #SaveBagega campaign, the Nigerian government pledged to clean up the poisoned village and treat surviving children. That moment put Hamzat and his team on the global map.

But Hamzat didn’t stop there. As CEO of Connected Development (CODE), the organisation behind Follow The Money, he has led efforts to train young activists, engage policymakers, and shine a light on the gaps between government promises and real-world outcomes. Under his leadership, CODE has received international awards from the ONE Africa Award to the Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award.

He’s been recognised by the United Nations, named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in digital government, and sits on multiple advisory boards including Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Global Citizen Fellowship.

Hamzat is a community organiser. He believes in showing up, listening and using data and digital tools to amplify the voices that are often ignored.

He has also helped shift the conversation around climate action and youth inclusion in Nigeria. As a former executive at the International Centre for Energy, Environment & Development (ICEED), he’s been involved in Nigeria’s energy and climate discourse long before it became fashionable. Hamzat co-founded the Not Too Young To Run movement that pushes for youth inclusion in politics. He’s a Malala Fund Education champion leading campaigns to support girl-child education in conflict-affected areas.

Despite the presidential honour, the work is certainly not finished for Hamzat. He will continue to fight against corruption until budgeted funds stop going missing and rural communities that have remained underserved reap the dividends of democracy.

Hamzat was honoured amongst the likes of the late Kudirat Abiola, who was conferred a posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), amongst others.

President Tinubu unveiled the honourees before a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day 2025.

The president also conferred posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR) and Bagauda Kaltho (OON).

Others are: Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON) and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON).

Dr Edwin Madunagu bagged the CON honour; Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).

“I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON) and Mr Bayo Onanuga (CON),” said Tinubu.

Other beneficiaries are Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Gov. Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Luke Aghanenu (OON) and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).

Also among the beneficiaries are Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON) and Dr Amos Akingba (CON).
Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR) and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR) were also honoured.

Additionally, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, who he said remained true to his lifetime calling as he marked his 90th birthday on Friday.

He also conferred posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON) and Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).

Tinubu Confers MFR On Vibrant Accountability Advocate Hamzat Lawal is first published on The Whistler Newspaper