Programme Summary
The Better Nigeria Initiative (BNI) is an anti-corruption campaign which was initiated in October 2005 to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies in their efforts to effectively fight and eliminate corruption in Nigeria. The initiative aims to involve civil society organisations (CSO’s) and the private sector to become active agents in the fight against corruption. BNI is therefore working with youth, the media, faith-based organisations (FBO’s), trade unions, and the private sector and is conducting advocacy training, encouraging anti-corruption clubs, developing media campaigns, increasing capacity in anti-corruption reporting, developing an Integrity Charter, and building general support amongst all stakeholders.

Communication Strategies
BNI is based on the belief that public participation and support is crucial to ethical reform in the country, as participation ensures community ownership and a coherent philosophy, strategy, and methodology on questions of integrity and transparency.

In order to gain public support, BNI is making use of endorsements by celebrities such as Nigerian footballers, other sports personalities, and influential religious leaders. In addition to this, the Performing Arts and Musicians Association (the umbrella body for all musicians and actors in Nigeria) has showed an interest in partnering with BNI in the initiative.

BNI is also in collaboration with notable Nollywood figures to develop a strategy on how to use the resources of the film industry to design a campaign that will help kick against corrupt practices.

Partners
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, European Union, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance.