By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
Fourteen years after the National Assembly enacted the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which grants every Nigerian the legal right to access records and documents held by government institutions and private bodies carrying out public functions, implementation remains weak.
Unlike in developed countries, enforcement gaps continue to shield public institutions from compliance with the FOIA, which was designed as a powerful tool for citizens to demand transparency and accountability.
Yet, rising authoritarian tendencies and a lack of strong investigative journalism culture have limited its impact. Civil society organizations and the media, expected to drive its usage, have also fallen short in holding institutions to account.
Seeking to address these challenges, FOI Counsel/RUDILAC, with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) project, the European Union, and other partners, convened a FOIA “surgery” training in Benin City, Edo State.
The session convened lawyers, journalists, and civil society actors to examine compliance levels and practical ways to strengthen the law’s enforcement.
Facilitators at the training noted that low compliance raises serious concerns, not just about government institutions’ commitment to transparency, but also about the failure of oversight authorities to enforce the law.
In his lecture titled: “The Role of Journalists in Freedom of Information”, Lead FOI Counsel and RUDILAC President, President Aigbokhan, challenged participants to break mental barriers and embrace collective responsibility in addressing the law’s shortcomings.
He urged Civil society groups and the media to sharpen their conscience by questioning institutions’ adherence to transparency standards, pointing out the constitutional obligation of the press to hold power accountable.
“Journalists must take their jobs seriously in order not to become conduits for leakages. The media must step up and begin to interrogate.
“There is no room for idleness. FOI should not be used as a tool for harassment or negotiation. Its essence is public interest. As activists and media, your purpose must be genuine”, Aigbokhan said.
Drawing comparisons between the Nigerian and Western press, he stressed that the law’s effectiveness depends on how sincerely journalists and advocates deploy it.
Veteran journalist Erasmus Ikhide, in his remarks, lamented that the Nigerian media is growing weaker, reducing the credibility of news reports.
He listed challenges facing practitioners, including outdated tools, poor styles of reportage, and inadequate remuneration.
“Often, stories are underreported. Even those who have the zeal to report are frustrated by these barriers,” Ikhide said, adding that such weaknesses contribute to Nigeria’s systemic failures.
He stressed the need for continuous training of journalists on modern practices so they can play their watchdog role effectively.
“Nigeria is a basket case,” he said. “Journalists must read, acquire knowledge, and equip themselves with the right skills, despite hazards and threats on the job.”
On his part, Leftist Omobude Agho, Coordinator-General of Edo Civil Society Organizations, walked participants through the process of filing FOI requests.
He urged citizens to fact-check information and submit requests through appropriate channels to maximize their impact.
Delivering a goodwill message, RoLAC’s Edo State Coordinator, Uchena Nwokedi, reminded participants that FOI is not about witch-hunting governments.
Instead, she said, it should be used to expose policy gaps and offer constructive recommendations.
She decried the poor implementation of the law protecting Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Edo State, particularly in education, and urged journalists and CSOs to spotlight the issue responsibly.
Participants at the training identified weak public awareness, poor institutional support, and entrenched bureaucratic resistance as major obstacles to FOI’s success.
They later broke into groups for practical exercises on how to apply the law effectively.
There was a unanimous assertion at the end of the session that in a system where falsehoods are fed to the public, recycled by citizens, and then legitimized as truth, the fight for transparency is both urgent and fragile.
The FOIA, they agreed, remains a vital defense against leaders who undermine democratic norms and a reminder that accountability is not optional; it is the foundation of shared decency in governance.
