Media groups seek tougher enforcement of Nigeria's Freedom of Information law

Media and civil society stakeholders have called for stronger enforcement of Nigeria's Freedom of Information Act, arguing that repeated failures by public institutions to provide requested information should attract meaningful consequences. Media Rights Agenda, also known as MRA, was among the organisations backing the recommendations. The International Press Centre, or IPC, also supported the push for improved compliance with the law.

The recommendations followed a multi-stakeholder conference held in Lagos on September 28, 2026, as part of activities marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information. The gathering brought together journalists, lawyers, civil society representatives and other media and accountability stakeholders to examine how the FOI Act is functioning and how access to trustworthy official information can help counter misinformation and disinformation.

Participants said compliance remains weak more than 15 years after the law came into force. They identified several recurring problems, including unanswered information requests, unjustified refusals, delayed responses and inadequate proactive disclosure by government institutions. The conference also pointed to limited public knowledge of the law and a continuing culture of secrecy within some institutions as obstacles to effective implementation.

IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade argued that fighting false information should not place the entire burden on citizens. He said public institutions have responsibilities of their own, including making credible information available, explaining official decisions and responding properly when legitimate requests are submitted. Participants also noted that delays can reduce the usefulness of information needed for investigative journalism, civic monitoring, research and other time-sensitive work.

The conference proposed several practical reforms. Public institutions were encouraged to establish dedicated FOI desks and assign trained personnel to handle requests. Participants also called for better record management, wider proactive publication of official information and the release of records in formats that people can readily access and use. They urged journalists and civil society organisations to use the law more consistently and to document their experiences when seeking information.

Another recommendation focused on enforcement. Participants asked the Attorney-General of the Federation to make stronger use of his oversight role when institutions or officials repeatedly disregard the Act. They also urged the judiciary to deal with FOI cases more quickly so that information obtained through litigation does not become outdated before it can serve its intended purpose.

The National Orientation Agency was encouraged to expand grassroots education about citizens' information rights. Participants additionally called for closer cooperation among journalists, lawyers and civil society groups, including the use of legal action where access to public records is wrongfully denied. The conference's overall position was that dependable and timely access to official information is important for transparency, accountability, public participation and democratic governance.