CISLAC’s Rafsanjani receives TI’s highest award

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, has received the Transparency International Amalia Award for Individual Professional Excellence in recognition of his contributions to transparency, accountability and anti-corruption advocacy.

The award was presented during the Transparency International Movement Awards Ceremony on July 1, marking the conclusion of the TI Summit 2026, held from June 29 to July 1.

The summit brought together participants virtually and physically in Berlin, Germany.

With the recognition, Rafsanjani becomes the first African to receive the Transparency International Amalia Award for Individual Professional Excellence, one of the organisation’s highest honours.

Named after the late Amalia Kostanyan, former Chair of Transparency International Armenia, the award recognises individuals and national chapters for outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing transparency, accountability and anti-corruption efforts.

The Transparency International Movement brings together more than 100 national chapters and partners worldwide to advance integrity, accountability and the rule of law. Its global gatherings provide an opportunity for members to review progress, strengthen collaboration and recognise individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions.

Transparency International said Rafsanjani was honoured for his sustained leadership in promoting transparency, accountability, democratic governance and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria and beyond.

Under his leadership, CISLAC has strengthened evidence-based policy advocacy, public accountability, fiscal transparency, electoral integrity and regional collaboration.

Presenting the award, the Chair of Transparency International, François Valérian, commended Rafsanjani for his “unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption” and his leadership of Transparency International Nigeria.

Valérian said that under Rafsanjani’s stewardship, TI Nigeria had become “a more visible and influential voice within the global Transparency International movement, consistently contributing to international conferences, policy discussions and collective anti-corruption initiatives.”

He added that Rafsanjani had strengthened the chapter’s reputation through “impactful advocacy, resilience and principled leadership,” describing his efforts to advance transparency and accountability in Nigeria and across Africa as “exemplary and worthy of global recognition.”

Responding to the recognition, Rafsanjani described the award as a reflection of the collective efforts of the CISLAC team, its partners and anti-corruption advocates.

“This award is a testament to the collective efforts of the CISLAC team, our partners and anti-corruption advocates,” he said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing democratic governance, institutional reforms and accountability across Nigeria, Africa and the wider global community.