The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urgently called on the Nigerian Federal Government to implement robust legal and institutional safeguards for whistleblowers, reports ITREALMS.
In a statement available to ITREALMS to mark this year's World Whistleblowers' Day, MRA highlighted the precarious position of whistleblowers in Nigeria, who often face immense personal risk. "Whistleblowers serve the public interest by courageously disclosing information that would otherwise remain hidden," the statement read.
"Yet, in Nigeria, they continue to operate in a climate of fear, retaliation, and legal uncertainty, which deters many others from coming forward with crucial information."
Ms. Ayomide Eweje, a Programme Officer at MRA, pointed out the significant flaws in Nigeria's current framework.
"The existing whistleblower protection framework in Nigeria remains weak, fragmented, and largely ineffective," she stated. "The Federal Government frequently threatens whistleblowers with prosecution, despite the protective provisions in Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act."
Ms. Eweje further criticized the government's 2016 Whistleblower Policy, clarifying that it was primarily designed to recover looted public funds, not to protect individuals who risk everything to expose misconduct, human rights violations, or threats to public safety.
The absence of a comprehensive legal framework has left whistleblowers vulnerable to threats, harassment, job losses, and even physical harm. "Successive Nigerian governments have failed to acknowledge the immense value whistleblowers bring to society and their crucial role in combating corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability," Ms. Eweje lamented.
Whistleblowers: Eyes and Ears of Society
Ms. Eweje passionately argued that whistleblowers are often driven by a sense of patriotic duty and a commitment to the greater good. "Whistleblowers are the eyes and ears of our society; they step forward so that the rest of us can see and act," she explained. "When whistleblowers speak up, everyone benefits: public funds are better managed, public services are delivered more efficiently, trust in institutions grows, and we have better governance."
She stressed the critical need for reliable reporting channels, warning, "Without reliable channels to report wrongdoing, we risk enabling critical information about wrongdoing to stay hidden." Despite their essential role in holding powerful actors accountable, whistleblowers continue to face harassment, intimidation, legal hurdles, and retaliation, sometimes even paying for their selfless acts with their lives or liberty.
To remedy this, Ms. Eweje urged the National Assembly to prioritize the passage of robust whistleblower protection legislation. Such legislation, she emphasized, must: guarantee confidentiality in appropriate reporting cases; Shield whistleblowers from reprisals; Establish secure reporting channels;
In addition, create an independent whistleblower protection agency with the mandate to investigate reprisals, support whistleblowers, and enforce sanctions against those who retaliate against them.
Beyond legal reforms, Ms. Eweje highlighted the importance of public education and awareness to cultivate a culture that values and protects whistleblowing. She called on civil society organizations, the media, and professional bodies to collaborate in destigmatizing whistleblowing, ensuring that those who speak out are not isolated or vilified.
"On this World Whistleblowers Day, we stand in solidarity with whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have paid a high price for speaking out, particularly against powerful individuals in society," Ms. Eweje affirmed. "We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for their rights and working towards a society where exposing wrongdoing is not only protected but also celebrated as a courageous act of public service."
The 2025 World Whistleblowers' Day, themed "Protecting the Truth-Tellers," aims to raise awareness about whistleblowing, combat corruption, and foster a positive culture of speaking up within organizations. This year's campaign, "we're all ears," seeks to emphasize the importance of whistleblowing and provide support for those who bravely expose wrongdoing.
Ms. Ayomide Eweje, a Programme Officer at MRA, pointed out the significant flaws in Nigeria's current framework.
"The existing whistleblower protection framework in Nigeria remains weak, fragmented, and largely ineffective," she stated. "The Federal Government frequently threatens whistleblowers with prosecution, despite the protective provisions in Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act."
Ms. Eweje further criticized the government's 2016 Whistleblower Policy, clarifying that it was primarily designed to recover looted public funds, not to protect individuals who risk everything to expose misconduct, human rights violations, or threats to public safety.
The absence of a comprehensive legal framework has left whistleblowers vulnerable to threats, harassment, job losses, and even physical harm. "Successive Nigerian governments have failed to acknowledge the immense value whistleblowers bring to society and their crucial role in combating corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability," Ms. Eweje lamented.
Whistleblowers: Eyes and Ears of Society
Ms. Eweje passionately argued that whistleblowers are often driven by a sense of patriotic duty and a commitment to the greater good. "Whistleblowers are the eyes and ears of our society; they step forward so that the rest of us can see and act," she explained. "When whistleblowers speak up, everyone benefits: public funds are better managed, public services are delivered more efficiently, trust in institutions grows, and we have better governance."
She stressed the critical need for reliable reporting channels, warning, "Without reliable channels to report wrongdoing, we risk enabling critical information about wrongdoing to stay hidden." Despite their essential role in holding powerful actors accountable, whistleblowers continue to face harassment, intimidation, legal hurdles, and retaliation, sometimes even paying for their selfless acts with their lives or liberty.
To remedy this, Ms. Eweje urged the National Assembly to prioritize the passage of robust whistleblower protection legislation. Such legislation, she emphasized, must: guarantee confidentiality in appropriate reporting cases; Shield whistleblowers from reprisals; Establish secure reporting channels;
In addition, create an independent whistleblower protection agency with the mandate to investigate reprisals, support whistleblowers, and enforce sanctions against those who retaliate against them.
Beyond legal reforms, Ms. Eweje highlighted the importance of public education and awareness to cultivate a culture that values and protects whistleblowing. She called on civil society organizations, the media, and professional bodies to collaborate in destigmatizing whistleblowing, ensuring that those who speak out are not isolated or vilified.
"On this World Whistleblowers Day, we stand in solidarity with whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have paid a high price for speaking out, particularly against powerful individuals in society," Ms. Eweje affirmed. "We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for their rights and working towards a society where exposing wrongdoing is not only protected but also celebrated as a courageous act of public service."
The 2025 World Whistleblowers' Day, themed "Protecting the Truth-Tellers," aims to raise awareness about whistleblowing, combat corruption, and foster a positive culture of speaking up within organizations. This year's campaign, "we're all ears," seeks to emphasize the importance of whistleblowing and provide support for those who bravely expose wrongdoing.
No comments:
Post a Comment