FG reiterates commitment to FOI Act implementation

The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, has affirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s public sector.

Jedy-Agba stated this on Monday in Abuja at a conference titled “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector,” held in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

In her remarks, she noted that recent court rulings have strengthened the Freedom of Information Act, emphasising that the judiciary plays a critical role in promoting transparency within public institutions.

She said, “Government business must not be shrouded in secrecy.

“It is heartening to report that the courts have, in recent times, given rulings that continue to uphold the need for disclosure by public institutions of government information and records. These rulings have enhanced the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria.

“As you are all aware, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in his role as the implementer of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) on Access to Information in Nigeria, continues to provide the public sector with guidelines that will ensure best practices and mainstream culture change by public institutions regarding access to government information and records in their custody.”

The conference aims to assess progress in government information accessibility and promote a culture of openness among public entities.

Jedy-Agba announced that the upcoming “Award of FOIA Compliance 2025” will recognise institutions that excel in upholding these principles, setting a new benchmark for accountability in Nigeria.

She called on government officials, stakeholders, and civil society to engage in meaningful discussions to reshape the landscape of information access in Nigeria, stressing the urgent need for coherent policies across all sectors.

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