Attorney General Urges Nigerians to Use FOIA for Government Accountability

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called on Nigerians to utilize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as a tool to demand transparency and accountability from public officials at both federal and state levels.

Fagbemi made this appeal on Wednesday at a one-day stakeholders' town hall meeting on the application of the FOIA, held at Finotel Hotel, Awka, Anambra State. The event was organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Representing the Minister at the event, Garba Sunday, a legal officer from the FOI Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, emphasized that the current administration is committed to conducting government business in an open and transparent manner. He assured that secrecy in governance is no longer acceptable.

Citizens' Right to Access Government Information

According to Fagbemi, the Nigerian government has empowered its citizens through the FOIA, enabling them to access public records and information without needing to justify their requests. He also highlighted that the Act ensures inclusivity by granting people with disabilities the right to obtain government records, including the option of making requests orally.

"Beyond responding to requests, public institutions are also required to proactively disclose relevant information in the public domain to allow free and easy access," he noted. He further urged government bodies to maintain proper record-keeping systems that facilitate access to information whenever requested.

While the FOIA guarantees access to information, Fagbemi pointed out that there are specific exemptions that restrict access to certain sensitive government records. These limitations, he said, are necessary to protect national security and other classified matters.

He commended the Anambra State Government for effectively utilizing the FOIA, which has enabled citizens of the state to stay informed about governance and government activities.

"I encourage every Nigerian to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to monitor government activities and demand accountability. It is your right to be informed and to participate actively in governance," he added.

Fagbemi also appreciated the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Program and the CTA for organizing the forum, emphasizing that the FOIA was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance—not for blackmail or political vendettas against public officials.

FOIA as a Tool Against Corruption

In her opening remarks, Ms. Faith Nwadishi, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), lamented that despite the passage of the FOIA in 2011, public awareness of the Act remains low. She criticized the lawmakers who enacted the law for failing to ensure its full implementation.

"The Act provides citizens, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), the power to hold governments and institutions accountable," Nwadishi stated. "It enables them to track government budgets, monitor projects, and expose corrupt practices wherever they exist."

She emphasized that the event provided a platform to discuss how the FOIA can be leveraged to promote equity, inclusion, and transparency in governance.

According to Nwadishi, corruption has become a deep-rooted problem in Nigeria, threatening democracy, economic development, and social justice. She stressed that corruption disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including women and PWDs.

"However, today’s gathering is not about lamenting but about empowering ourselves as change agents," she said. "We need access to information, resources, and opportunities to hold government institutions accountable and ensure good governance."

She further underscored that although the FOIA was established as a critical weapon in the fight against corruption, many Nigerians remain unaware of their rights under the Act. Additionally, she condemned the tendency of some public officials to deliberately withhold information from citizens, preventing them from exercising their right to transparency.

Nwadishi reiterated that full implementation of the FOIA would enhance public participation in governance and significantly curb corruption.

The town hall meeting was part of the broader Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI), which focuses on promoting transparency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Anambra State, and Edo State through FOIA advocacy.

Call to Action

Both Fagbemi and Nwadishi urged Nigerians to take ownership of the FOIA and use it to demand accountability from public officeholders. They called on government institutions to proactively disclose information and embrace openness as a fundamental principle of governance.

As the fight against corruption and secrecy in government continues, the stakeholders at the meeting emphasized that citizens’ access to information remains key to achieving transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.