Joe Abah, Osasuyi Dirisu to speak at behavioural change conference in Abuja

Joe Abah, a former director-general of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), will speak at the behavioural change conference 2024.

The event, which is scheduled to hold in Abuja between October 15 and 16, is put together by a cohort of civil society organisations under the umbrella of Behaviour Change Cohort of the MacArthur Foundation.

The organisations include the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, and Step Up Nigeria.

Abah will deliver the keynote speech on the theme: ‘Nigeria at a Critical Crossroad: Securing the Future with Enduring Anti-Corruption Policies’.

The conference is expected to feature other notable speakers including Otive Igbuzor, the executive director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development; and Osasuyi Dirisu, the executive director of the Policy Innovation Centre; among others.

According to a statement, the conference will also showcase a five-year report and the premiere of a documentary.

“It will also set precedence for a collaborative roadmap for advancing anti-corruption efforts and fostering lasting behavioural change across Nigeria,” the statement reads.

Akin Fadeyi, executive director of the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, described the conference as significant, while urging participants to commit to advancing the efforts.

“This conference marks a momentous step in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. Over the past five years, we have witnessed ground-breaking transformations, and this event will not only highlight these milestones but also inspire new strategies for sustaining behavioural change,” he said.

“We know that the discussions and collaborations here will continue to ignite the passion for integrity and accountability across all sectors. Together, we are shaping a future free from the shackles of corruption.”

George Ehusani, executive director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, emphasised the need for leadership in the fight against corruption.

“We stand at a crossroads where the moral fabric of our society is tested daily by corruption. This conference provides a powerful platform to challenge ourselves and our leaders to uphold values of transparency, justice, and selfless service,” he said.

“We must instil in every Nigerian, particularly our leaders, the belief that true progress comes from integrity.

“This is a movement of transformation, and I believe that through our collective effort, we can build a Nigeria that is accountable, fair, and prosperous for all.”