FOI - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Wed, 2025

CTA, NEITI urge stronger FOI Act to boost transparency

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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

House committee tasks MDAs, others on FOI

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Thu, 2025

Politics

House committee tasks MDAs, others on FOI

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The House Committee on Freedom of Information (FOI) has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and corporate organisations to leverage the FOI Act to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and good governance.

This is contained in a statement signed on Thursday in Abuja by the clerk of the committee, Mrs Felicia Idowu.

She said it was important to engage public institutions on their roles in achieving the objectives behind the FOI Act.

According to her, the law aims at improving the lives of Nigerians by ensuring inclusivity, open government, transparency and accountability.

“It is on this note that the Committee on FOI plans to hold a National strategic stakeholders workshop on June 24 and June 25.

“It is targeted at Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal, States and Local Governments; other public institutions and corporations.

“It will attract authorities whether executive, legislative or judicial agencies, ministries, and extra-ministerial departments of the government.

“It will also involve all corporations established by law and all companies in which government has a controlling interest, and private companies utilizing public funds, providing public services or performing public functions,” she said.

Idowu said that the event would be facilitated by TIMDAVE Global limited to promote, enhance and advance the implementation of the FOI law in Nigeria.

She said the programme would also involve Civil Society Organisations as well as all corporate organisations that utilise government resources, as custodians of information.

The FOI Act was enacted on May 28, 2011.

However, 14 years after establishment its implementation by government institutions and corporate organisations has remained poor. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Stakeholders advocate FoI law in Edo, demand transparency

Tosin Kolade
Mar, Wed, 2025

General News

Stakeholders advocate FoI law in Edo, demand transparency

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By Usman Aliyu

Civil society groups, legal experts, and media stakeholders have urged the Edo Government to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to enhance transparency and accountability.

The stakeholders made the submission during a town hall meeting on FOIA application, organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) on Wednesday in Benin.

They highlighted the Act’s importance in empowering citizens to demand accountability.

In her opening address, CTA’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, described corruption as a major threat to governance and development.

She emphasised the need for proactive FOIA implementation to track budgets and expose misconduct.

“We are not victims of corruption but powerful change agents. FOIA should be a tool for transparency, yet many citizens face barriers when trying to access vital information,” Nwadishi said.

She urged the Edo government to domesticate FOIA, noting that bureaucratic bottlenecks and deliberate denial of information hindered its effectiveness.

Representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, the Head of the FOI Unit in the Ministry of Justice, Garba Sunday, reaffirmed the Act’s role in governance.

He encouraged public institutions to proactively disclose information.

“FOIA guarantees citizens access to government records without requiring justification. Public institutions must ensure transparency by keeping records accessible,” he said.

He acknowledged that Edo had yet to enact a law regulating access to government records and urged the state to align with the federal FOIA to strengthen accountability.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and funded by the European Union through International IDEA.

The forum provided stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss leveraging FOIA

Participants pledged to intensify advocacy for FOIA domestication in Edo, emphasizing that access to information is crucial for democratic governance and social justice.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa