Abuja: The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has encouraged Nigerians to utilize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as a means to demand greater accountability and transparency from government institutions. The call was made by CTA’s Executive Director, Mrs. Faith Nwadishi, during the closing session of the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI) project in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nwadishi emphasized that the FOIA is a crucial tool in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption and should be actively used by citizens, civil society organizations, and the media to ensure that government officials are held accountable. She stated, “The Freedom of Information Act 2011 is a powerful instrument in our arsenal against corruption. By leveraging FOIA, we can promote transparency and hold leaders accountable.”
The SAGNI project, launched in October 2024, was designed to improve the implementation of the FOIA, boost public awareness, and build institutional capacity at both national and sub-national levels. Over the past year, CTA conducted various activities including multilingual media campaigns, radio programs, theatre-for-development documentaries, and distributed simplified FOI handbooks to make the Act more accessible to the general public.
Nwadishi noted that SAGNI achieved significant milestones, such as organizing capacity-building workshops for civil society organizations, journalists, community-based groups, women’s associations, and persons with disabilities. She also highlighted a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 that clarified jurisdictional ambiguities regarding the FOI Act, strengthening the obligation of state governments to adhere to FOI provisions.
In a goodwill message, Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Samson Osagie, acknowledged that the SAGNI project has improved the state’s ability to deliver services to citizens and committed to sustaining the project’s achievements. Osagie reaffirmed Edo’s dedication to open governance and transparency under Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
Anambra Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, represented by Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ngozi Iwouno, also expressed support for the SAGNI campaign. She emphasized the state’s commitment to eliminating secrecy in public service and ensuring that the FOI Act is effectively implemented at the sub-national level.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the project was executed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Anambra, and Edo with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), a program funded by the European Union through International IDEA.