MRA, IPC Raise Alarm Over Poor Compliance With Freedom Of Information Act

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have raised concerns over what they described as poor compliance by public institutions with Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act, 2011, more than 15 years after its enactment.

The organisations said delays, wrongful denials, inadequate record-keeping and a culture of secrecy within public institutions were undermining citizens’ ability to access reliable information and hold government accountable.

They made the observations in a communiqué issued at the end of a multi-stakeholder conference held in Lagos on September 28, 2026, to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

The conference, organised by MRA and IPC, was themed, “Freedom of Information in the Age of Disinformation: Why Transparency Matters More Than Ever.”

The event brought together journalists, media professionals, civil society organisations, lawyers and other stakeholders to examine the implementation of the FOI Act and the importance of access to reliable information in combating misinformation and disinformation.

In his welcome address, IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said combating disinformation could not be reduced to asking citizens to “check the facts”.

He said public institutions had a responsibility to make credible information available, explain decisions clearly and respond appropriately to legitimate requests for information.

According to Arogundade, the challenge was not merely whether information existed, but whether systems for accessing, verifying and using public information were strong enough to support democratic accountability.

Participants at the conference observed that many public institutions continued to refuse or delay responses to FOI requests, deny requests without legitimate reasons and fail to proactively publish information as required by law.

They also identified limited awareness of the provisions of the FOI Act among public officials and citizens, as well as what they described as a pervasive culture of secrecy in some public institutions, as major obstacles to effective implementation.

The participants said delays in providing information could undermine its usefulness, particularly when requested for investigative journalism, public-interest reporting, civic monitoring and other time-sensitive purposes.

They further noted that the absence of timely and reliable information from government institutions could create information gaps, making it more difficult for citizens, journalists and other stakeholders to verify claims and distinguish accurate information from misinformation and disinformation.

The conference also highlighted the gender dimensions of access to information, with participants noting that women and other marginalised groups could face additional barriers to accessing public information and participating in transparency and accountability processes.

They expressed concern that the lack of effective sanctions for non-compliance with the FOI Act had contributed to what they described as a culture of impunity among some public institutions.

Participants resolved to make greater and more strategic use of the FOI Act in investigative reporting, civic monitoring, research and advocacy, while strengthening collaboration among media organisations, lawyers and civil society groups.

They also resolved to increase public awareness of the right of access to information, document experiences of using the FOI Act and pursue legal remedies, including litigation, where necessary to enforce compliance.

The stakeholders called on governments at all levels to demonstrate stronger commitment to implementing the FOI Act and urged public institutions to establish dedicated FOI desks staffed by trained personnel.

They also called for proactive publication of information in accordance with the Act, improved record-keeping and information management systems, and the provision of information in accessible formats.

The media was urged to make more systematic use of the FOI Act as a tool for investigative and public-interest journalism, while civil society organisations were encouraged to intensify public enlightenment, monitoring and advocacy.

The participants further called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise greater oversight to ensure compliance with the law and take appropriate action against officials and institutions that persistently and wilfully violate its provisions.

They urged the judiciary to expedite FOI cases to ensure that information obtained through litigation remained timely and relevant.

The National Orientation Agency was also urged to intensify public awareness campaigns, particularly at the grassroots, to educate citizens on their right to access information and how to use the FOI Act.

Participants called for gender-responsive approaches to FOI implementation and urged public institutions and other stakeholders to use digital technologies to improve the publication, accessibility, storage and dissemination of public information without creating additional barriers.

They also emphasised the need for public institutions, media organisations and civil society groups to prioritise transparency and proactive disclosure of accurate information as part of efforts to address misinformation and disinformation.

The participants reaffirmed that access to information remained central to transparency, accountability, public participation and democratic governance.

They commended MRA and IPC for their efforts to promote access to information, media freedom, transparency and accountability in Nigeria, and pledged to work collaboratively to strengthen implementation of the FOI Act and uphold the public’s right to know.