By Naomi Sharang

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) have called for stronger Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to boost transparency in Nigeria.

The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, enacted in 2011, is an Act to make public records and information more freely available for public access to public records and information.

Executive Director, CTA, Faith Nwadishi and the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji made the call at “The North-Central Regional Roundtable on the FOI Act in Nigeria” held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The theme of the event is “14 Years of FOI and Extractives Transparency in Nigeria: Strengthening Access, Accountability and Citizen Engagement”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable is part of efforts under the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI).

It is a 12-month project CTA is implementing with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and funding from the European Union through International IDEA.

In her address, Nwadishi said that the conversation was not just symbolic but was timely because the challenges around access to public information in Nigeria have reached a critical stage.

“Particularly in the extractive sector, which remains the economic lifeline of our country.

“Even with NEITI reports, it is still one of the most difficult sectors to obtain clear, timely and complete information from.

“The extractive sector—which includes oil, gas and solid minerals—is far too important to remain shrouded in secrecy with the huge revenue and foreign exchange earnings that come from the sector.

“It is also the sector most vulnerable to corruption, illicit financial flows, and opacity around contracts and revenue allocation.

“This is why NEITI’s reports are not just documents; they are vital instruments for FOI implementation,” she said.

She noted that there had been progress with the FOI Act since 2011 when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Act into law but added that implementation remained weak.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji said that the FOI Act marked a transformative moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

He proposes an amendment to the FOI Act that introduces sanctions for those who weaponise it through falsehood, blackmail or institutional harassment.

“This law must protect access—and punish abuse. If we do not act, the FOI Act risks losing its moral force and democratic utility”

Orji recommended the enactment of legal penalties for FOI misuse involving false identities, misinformation and blackmail.

On her part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba said that the extractive sector relied heavily on transparency to foster sustainable development.

Jeddy-Agba was represented by Mariah Obafemi in the ministry.

She said: “The extractive industry is doing a lot well in the area of transparency and even in the area of complying with the FOI Act.

“The Attorney-General, by virtue of Section 29 of the Act, is mandated to submit annual compliance reports to the National Assembly.

“I can tell you that the extractive industry is doing well. They’ve been complying over the years,” she said.

Similarly, Programme Manager EU/RoLAC, Dr Emmanuel Uche, called for the deepening of the implementation of the FOI Act in Nigeria.

He urged civil society organisations and non-state actors to join hands again, to revive whistleblower’s laws, witness protection laws and public interest disclosure laws.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza