In a renewed push to advance transparency and strengthen open governance, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Freedom of Information (FoI) has called on ministries, departments, agencies and corporate organisations to embrace the FoI Act to drive good governance and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
This was disclosed in a statement signed in Abuja by the committee clerk, Felicia Idowu who emphasised the importance of involving public institutions in achieving the law’s objectives.
According to her, the Act aims to improve citizens’ lives through inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. “It is on this basis that the Committee will host a national strategic stakeholders’ workshop on June 24 and 25,” she said.
The event will bring together institutions from all tiers of government, including executive, legislative and judicial bodies, alongside corporations established by law and private companies that receive public funds or provide public services.
Idowu added that the workshop, facilitated by TIMDAVE Global Limited, will promote and enhance the effective implementation of the FoI Act. Civil society organisations and corporate entities using government resources will also be engaged.
Dignitaries expected at the event include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, who will serve as special guest of honour and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who is billed to deliver the keynote address.
Globally, access to public information is recognised as a fundamental right essential to sustainable development and inclusive governance. Enacted in Nigeria in 2011, the FoI Act provides a legal framework for public access to government records. However, 14 years after its enactment, implementation remains weak across many institutions. The upcoming workshop aims to renew national commitment and evaluate progress in operationalising the law.
