The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. Speaking at a conference in Abuja on Monday, in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, Jedy-Agba emphasized the importance of access to information and public participation in government processes.
During the event, titled “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector,” Jedy-Agba highlighted recent court rulings that have bolstered the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, underscoring the judiciary’s crucial role in promoting transparency within public institutions.
“Government business must not be shrouded in secrecy,” she said. “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.”
Jedy-Agba also noted that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, who serves as the implementer of the FOI Act and co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) on Access to Information, has been pivotal in providing public institutions with guidelines to ensure best practices in handling government information.
The conference aimed to review progress on access to government information and encourage a culture of openness within public entities. To further incentivize compliance, Jedy-Agba announced the upcoming “Award of FOIA Compliance 2025,” which will honor institutions that excel in promoting transparency and access to information.
In her closing remarks, Jedy-Agba called on government officials, civil society, and stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to reshape the landscape of information access in Nigeria. She emphasized the need for coherent policies that foster openness and accountability across all sectors of governance.
