Stakeholders demand better FOI compliance

Key stakeholders in Nigeria, including legislative and judicial leaders, have intensified demands for stricter enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act to restore public trust and combat misinformation. The consensus is that transparency must transition from a political preference to a constitutional obligation. By bridging gaps between government, media, and civil society, these actors aim to establish a robust information ecosystem that holds institutions accountable and prevents the spread of falsehoods in governance. The discussion highlights critical structural failures, particularly the delayed and inadequate compliance reports from the Attorney General’s office, which undermine the Act’s effectiveness. To address this, there is a push for investing in digital tools and publicly accessible data portals that preempt speculation. These technological enhancements are viewed as essential for verifying truth and ensuring that electoral processes, such as campaign finance and voter registration, remain open to scrutiny without necessitating civil unrest. Furthermore, the narrative emphasizes that mere access to information is insufficient; civil society and the media must actively leverage data to drive genuine accountability. Leaders warn against superficial engagement and the decline of investigative journalism, urging stakeholders to scrutinize budget implementation and electoral integrity. This approach transforms government from a opaque entity into a transparent institution, demonstrating that open data is foundational to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering sustainable governance reforms.

Source: punchng.com
Published on 2025-05-31

Stakeholders demand better FOI compliance

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