MRA, IPC: Nigeria FOI Act Sanctions Urged Amidst Widespread Non-Compliance

• Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have called for sanctions against public officials and institutions for persistent violations of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
• This demand was made at a multi-stakeholder conference in Lagos on September 28, 2026, which highlighted widespread non-compliance with the FOI Act despite its long-standing existence.
• Obstacles to effective information access include official ignorance, a culture of secrecy, and the lack of effective sanctions, which fosters impunity.
• Conference participants resolved to strategically leverage the FOI Act for investigative reporting and advocacy, strengthening collaboration among media, lawyers, and civil society.
• Stakeholders also committed to pursuing legal remedies, including litigation, for wrongful information denials and urged governments to establish dedicated FOI desks and proactively publish information.

The absence of effective sanctions for non-compliance was identified as a key factor contributing to a pervasive culture of impunity among public institutions.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have jointly urged the imposition of sanctions against public officials and institutions in Nigeria that consistently and deliberately flout the provisions of the Nigeria Freedom of Information Act 2011. This significant call emerged from a multi-stakeholder conference held in Lagos on September 28, 2026, which marked the International Day for Universal Access to Information. The event, themed "Freedom of Information in the Age of Disinformation: Why Transparency Matters More Than Ever," convened a diverse group including journalists, media professionals, civil society organizations, and legal practitioners to critically assess the implementation of the FOI Act and underscore the vital role of credible public information.

During the conference, Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of the IPC, emphasized that efforts to combat disinformation extend beyond simply advising citizens to verify facts. He asserted that public institutions bear a fundamental responsibility to furnish reliable information, articulate the rationale behind their decisions clearly, and respond appropriately to legitimate requests for data. Arogundade highlighted that the core challenge lies not merely in the existence of information, but in ensuring that robust systems are in place for accessing, verifying, and utilizing public information effectively to foster democratic accountability.

Despite the Nigeria Freedom of Information Act 2011 having been in effect for over fifteen years, participants at the conference observed that FOI Act non-compliance Nigeria remains widespread across all tiers of government. Many public institutions continue to either deny, delay, or outright ignore valid requests for information, failing to respond to inquiries, denying access without justifiable cause, and neglecting their statutory obligation to proactively publish information as mandated by law. This persistent pattern of public institutions FOI violations significantly impedes transparency.

Key obstacles identified included a pervasive culture of secrecy within public institutions and a general lack of awareness regarding the FOI Act among both officials and citizens. The absence of timely and reliable information from governmental bodies creates critical gaps, making it difficult for the public, journalists, and other stakeholders to discern accurate information from misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, delays in responding to information requests can severely undermine investigative journalism, public-interest reporting, civic monitoring, and other time-sensitive activities crucial for a functioning democracy. The conference also acknowledged that women and other marginalized groups often encounter additional barriers when attempting to access information and participate in transparency and accountability processes, highlighting a gender dimension to FOI implementation challenges. The absence of effective sanctions for non-compliance was identified as a key factor contributing to a pervasive culture of impunity among public institutions.

In response to these persistent challenges, stakeholders at the conference resolved to intensify their efforts towards Nigerian FOI Act enforcement. They committed to a more strategic and extensive utilization of the FOI Act in investigative reporting, civic monitoring, research, and advocacy initiatives. A crucial aspect of their strategy involves strengthening collaboration among media organizations, legal professionals, and civil society groups to enhance collective impact.

Participants also pledged to heighten public awareness regarding the right to information, systematically document experiences encountered while using the Act, and pursue legal remedies, including Access to Information litigation Nigeria, whenever information is wrongfully denied. Furthermore, specific calls were directed at governments at all levels, urging them to demonstrate a stronger commitment to implementing the FOI Act. Public institutions were specifically advised to establish dedicated FOI desks staffed by adequately trained personnel and to prioritize the proactive publication of information, in line with Sections 2(3) and 2(4) of the Act, alongside improving their record-keeping practices. These resolutions underscore a renewed push for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria's public sector.

This development indicates a heightened focus on enforcing Nigeria's FOI Act, with calls for sanctions and increased litigation against non-compliant public institutions. Lawyers should advise public sector clients to review and strengthen their FOI compliance frameworks to mitigate legal risks, while those representing requesters can leverage this advocacy for more effective information access.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper