By Juliet Ukanwosu
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has restated its unwavering commitment to the principles and implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act passed into law 14 years ago.
The agency also unequivocally reiterated its commitment to strengthening the civic space in Nigeria, while sustaining the FOI ecosystem.
This position was stated in response to a statement issued by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which commented on the remarks made by NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, during an event commemorating the 14th Anniversary of the FOI Act, convened by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, in Abuja.
Acknowledging the MRA’s long-standing and well-documented contributions to the development, passage, and implementation of the FOI Act in Nigeria, NEITI noted that the interpretation of Dr. Orji’s remarks at the event was regrettably taken out of context and does not reflect the intent, tone, or content of what was expressed.
“Far from calling for the restriction or criminalization of legitimate information requests, the remarks underscored the need for shared vigilance and collective safeguards to protect the FOI space from being compromised by a few actors who may seek to exploit it for purposes that do not serve transparency or the public interest,” NEITI clarified.
The agency explained that the concern was specifically directed at emerging patterns of misuse, including impersonation by entities disguising as NGOs or CSOs, engaging in blackmail or extortion under the guise of FOI requests, stressing that “it was never aimed at journalists, civic actors, researchers, or the vast majority of citizens who use the Act constructively and in good faith.”
Recalling its role in helping to shape and continuously champion the FOI law, NEITI noted the pivotal role of the current Executive Secretary—then serving as Director of Communications— in advocating for the passage of the law, working closely with MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
A statement signed by Mr. Chris Ochono, for NEITI’s Head, Communications and Advocacy, noted that Dr. Orji then served as NEITI’s desk officer on FOI matters, coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations, mobilising civil society and the media, and harmonising perspectives that ultimately helped shape the content and success of the FOI legislation.
Pointing out that the commitment has not wavered, he clarified that Orji’s speech at the FOI commemoration event was a call for vigilance, not restriction which should be understood as a contribution to the broader dialogue on the evolution of the FOI Act.
While further emphasizing its support for the implementation of the FOI Act, NEITI pointed out that it is one of the few government bodies that not only complies fully with the FOI Act but exceeds the minimum requirements by taking further actions to ensure submission of its annual FOI compliance reports to the Attorney-General of the Federation and making proactive disclosures of audit reports, financial data, procurement records, and beneficial ownership data.
Beyond, these, the agency says it also maintains a publicly accessible open data portals and dashboards that allow citizens and stakeholders real-time access to vital information, in addition to operating a robust institutional culture of transparency, openness, and accountability, adding that these consistent practices have earned NEITI both national recognition and international acclaim as a model for openness in governance.
Reiterating that its call was not for restriction, but for responsibility on all sides, NEITI says the speech in question also highlighted three forward-looking recommendations which it believes are crucial for the FOI Act to thrive.
Listing the recommendations to include capacity building and training for public institutions to improve the quality and timeliness of responses to FOI requests; grassroots civic education to promote the responsible and informed use of the law by citizens, and experience-based safeguards, developed through dialogue with civil society, to ensure the law remains effective and resistant to manipulation, NEITI pointed out that these are not proposals to dilute the law, but are strategies to future-proof it.
While seeking for collaborative efforts to future-proof the law, NEITI called on the MRA and other stakeholders to consider the Executive Secretary’s remarks as a call for reflection, not repression, a call to protect the Act, not punish its users, a call to improve implementation, and not diminish its purpose.
The agency further urged stakeholders to see this moment as an opportunity to broaden civic dialogue on how the law can be strengthened—not just protected in principle, but improved in practice.