Hamzat Lawal is a force to be reckoned with in the world of social activism and grassroots advocacy. As the founder of the pan-African organization Connected Development (CODE) and the driving force behind “Follow The Money“, Hamzat has dedicated his life to empowering marginalized communities and holding governments accountable to their people.
He is an activist who has successfully led grassroots campaigns in over 40 African countries with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and specializes in practical issues associated with Climate Change, Open Data, advocacy campaigns and development policies as it affects rural and deprived grassroots communities.
A defining moment in his journey was when he learned about a devastating lead poisoning crisis in Zamfara, Nigeria that had claimed the lives of over 400 children. Determined to uncover the truth and ensure the affected communities received the support they needed, Hamzat embarked on a daring 18-hour journey to the region. What he discovered was a shocking underreporting of the crisis, with the actual death toll exceeding 700 children. Outraged by the lack of government response, Lawal sprang into action, launching a social media campaign with the hashtag #SaveBagega to raise awareness.
The power of Hamzat’s digital advocacy was undeniable. Within just 48 hours, the campaign had gained traction on platforms like Twitter, and Facebook, and international news outlets like Al Jazeera, BBC, DW, and CNN. The pressure mounted, and within 72 hours, the Nigerian president at the time responded by approving $5.3 million in funding to address the crisis.
This pivotal moment marked Hamzat’s tireless efforts to empower marginalized communities and hold governments accountable. In 2013, he founded Connected Development (CODE), a non-profit organization that uses data-driven advocacy to amplify the voices of grassroots communities across Africa. Under his leadership, CODE has grown into a pan-African movement, operating in over 40 countries and winning prestigious awards such as the ONE Africa Award in 2016 and the Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award in 2021.
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Lawal’s impact extends far beyond his work with CODE. He is a co-convenor of the “Not Too Young to Run” movement, which advocates for policy changes to allow young people in Nigeria to run for national office. He has also been recognized as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in digital government by Apolitical in 2018 and 2019.
His Follow The Money initiative emerged winner of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Mobilizer 2019 Award, at the Bonn SDG Global Festival of Action, Germany. Most recently, Hamzat was appointed to the advisory council of Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Global Citizen Fellowship, further solidifying his status as a trailblazing leader in the field of social impact and grassroots advocacy. He was also recognized amongst the 100 most influential Africans in 2019, joining the ranks of Amina J Mohammed, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Aliko Dangote.
Hamzat Lawal’s unwavering commitment to empowering marginalized communities and holding governments accountable has made him a true inspiration. Through his innovative use of digital tools, strategic partnerships, and tireless activism, he has demonstrated the power of grassroots movements to drive meaningful change. As he continues to lead the charge for a more just and equitable Africa, Lawal’s legacy is sure to inspire generations of activists to come.