The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to information, and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011 reinforces this right. Yet it remains theoretical. Despite the legal guarantees of the FOI Act, a report by Media Rights Agenda reveals almost noncompliance across public institutions. This noncompliance reflects a deeper freedom crisis.
In 2026, the federal government of Nigeria allocated $49 billion to the national budget, but only $139,000 went to FOI implementation. Such underfunding underscores the government’s low priority for citizens’ right to information and undermines their rights. Addressing this crisis requires mandating dedicated budget allocations for FOI implementation across all public institutions, strengthening oversight by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and promoting citizen-led accountability and civic pressure.
The consequences of underfunding FOI implementation are immediate and structural. Limited resources often result in poor record-keeping, delayed responses, and weak transparency. Many public institutions lack the capacity and the incentive to comply with FOI obligations. Accountability becomes impossible without citizens’ access to information and the inability to scrutinise undisclosed public records, budgetary allocations, and administrative decisions. The risks are severe, as the lack of transparency fuels corruption, weakens journalism, and steadily erodes public trust. At a broader level, the denial of access to information weakens democracy, reducing it to a system where citizens can vote but cannot hold leaders accountable.
