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A recent survey highlights significant disparities in how Nigerian government agencies handle the Freedom of Information Act, revealing that while some institutions like the ICRC excel in transparency, others fail to disclose essential public expenditure data. This compliance ranking underscores the varying degrees of commitment to open governance, demonstrating that true transparency remains elusive for many public bodies despite legislative frameworks designed to promote accountability. The report reveals a concerning trend where proactive disclosure of information has sharply declined, forcing citizens to actively request data that institutions should voluntarily publish. This regression hinders the ability of citizens and civil society to effectively monitor public spending and hold leaders accountable, as the burden of obtaining basic information falls heavily on the public rather than on the state’s obligation to be transparent. This article is relevant to open data because it illustrates the critical gap between legal mandates and actual practice. It emphasizes that for open data initiatives to succeed, governments must move beyond passive compliance to active, proactive dissemination of information. Without this shift, the potential of open data to foster civic engagement and improve governance remains largely unrealized, leaving vital public knowledge inaccessible.

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Published on 2023-09-28

Open Data

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