The Executive Director of the Center, Umar Yakubu, Ph.D., was honored to have been selected for the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) On Demand project for Nigeria, titled “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Government,”.
The program, titled “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Government,” is designed for Nigerian participants to explore U.S. government systems and the role of various groups in fostering transparency and accountability. The activities are structured to help participants achieve professional goals related to transparency and anti-corruption efforts.
Based on our work in Nigeria and beyond, we were selected for knowledge exchange that promote transparency and accountability in government at federal, state, and local levels. We also examined the investigation and prosecution of fraud and corruption, and the roles of citizens, media, academia, and civil society in these efforts.
The programme entailed :
1. Washington, D.C. (August 16-20): The themes include federal perspectives on government transparency, an introduction to U.S. federalism, the role of watchdog organizations, and U.S. leadership in global anti-corruption initiatives.
2. Jackson, Mississippi (August 20-23): This portion of the trip focused on citizen engagement and the media’s role in transparency, state government accountability mechanisms, and the rule of law and the judiciary.
3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin (August 23-27): The themes for this city are the U.S.-Nigeria relationship at the local level, the investigation of financial fraud and corruption, and local government accountability mechanisms. The schedule includes attending a Common Council meeting, a meeting with the City Comptroller’s office to learn about the Open Checkbook portal, and discussions with the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
We are grateful to the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Nigeria for the support and pledge to continue taking proactive measures that enhance good governance.
Images from the International Visitor Leadership Program 2025
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