BudgIT, Nigeria’s leading civic-tech organisation championing accountability, transparency, and effective service delivery, is preparing to host the third annual Active Citizens Awards. The event, which is themed ‘Celebrating Voices, Inspiring Actions‘, will take place on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Active Citizens Awards recognises changemakers who are using advocacy, technology, community organising, creativity, research, and public service to drive positive social impact and strengthen democratic values. The awards seek to spotlight citizens and groups whose work continues to inspire participation, accountability, inclusion, and collective action within society.
Speaking on the award BudgIT’s Country Director, Vahyala Kwaga, said: “The Active Citizens Awards is about recognising the everyday people and organisations who continue to show courage, leadership, and commitment to building stronger communities and a more accountable society. Across Nigeria, we are witnessing young people, civic actors, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of democracy and citizen participation, often against difficult odds. This award is an opportunity to celebrate their impact and amplify their work.”
Also speaking, Joseph Amenaghawon, Chair of the Selection Committee, added that the awards process will prioritise credibility, impact, innovation, and community relevance when assessing nominees.
We are committed to a transparent and rigorous selection process that highlights individuals and organisations creating meaningful change in their communities. This award is designed not only to celebrate achievements but also to elevate stories of active citizenship; stories that can inspire broader civic participation across the continent.
Nominations
The 2024 awards feature a total of twelve (12) categories. Seven of these categories are open for public nomination. For the remaining five categories, the winners will be selected by the awards committee after extensive research and thoughtful deliberation against specific criteria. Nominations are open to activists, civic leaders, community organisers, social entrepreneurs, artists, media practitioners, youth-led initiatives, nonprofit organisations, and innovators making measurable contributions within their communities and sectors.
Criteria and Eligibility for Nomination
When nominating an individual or organisation for any open category, you must first confirm their eligibility for that specific category. The assessment of shortlisted nominees and the final selection of winners will be based on specific criteria: innovation, impact, milestones, sustainability, diversity, inclusion, organisational structure, and leadership quality.
Therefore, all nominations must include links to relevant projects or impacts the nominee has successfully completed within the designated timeframe, as these links should directly support their alignment with the evaluation criteria. Members of the public are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving individuals and organisations through the official nomination platform. Self-nominations will also be accepted.
Shortlisting and Selection
A carefully chosen Panel of Judges will conduct a thorough, three-stage review process following the nomination period. This selection process will result in a final shortlist of three individuals who have achieved the highest grade points in each category. Ultimately, only one of these three nominees will be selected as the winner in their respective category.
The nomination platform opens on May 14, 2026 and closes on June 14, 2026. Shortlisted nominees and award recipients will be announced ahead of the official Active Citizens Awards ceremony scheduled to hold on July 24, 2026. To learn more about the 2026 Active Citizen Award, including sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://awards.civichive.org or contact us via email at awards@budgit.org.
For details on nomination guidelines, award categories, and submission procedures, visit https://awards.civichive.org/the-award.
Signed
Temidayo Musa,
Chair, 2026 ACA Planning Committee