The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has officially named Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye and Remmy Nweke as the historic pioneer winners of the maiden Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards, reports ITREALMS.
The awards were specially established to recognize and celebrate outstanding journalistic excellence by media practitioners who have relentlessly advanced the right of access to information in Nigeria.
The two distinguished category winners are:
Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, Journalist and Publisher of BONews Service (Winner, Category One).
Remmy Nweke, Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group (Winner, Category Two).
The Award Categories & Winners' Achievements
Category 1: Highest Number of FOI Requests
Winner: Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye
The Achievement: Ms. Oladunjoye emerged victorious for submitting at least 50 formal information requests to various public institutions across Nigeria between May 28, 2011, and December 31, 2025.
Judges' Note: Beyond her requests, MRA commended her relentless strategic litigation. She has successfully dragged defaulting public institutions to court to compel compliance, winning several landmark cases with more still pending.
Category 2: Most Outstanding Contribution to FOI Promotion
Winner: Remmy Nweke
The Achievement: Remmy Nweke won for his extensive advocacy, awareness-raising, and media campaigns driving the effective implementation of the Act.
Judges' Note: His portfolio features 42 distinct FOI-related media outputs. This includes 24 news and institutional accountability stories; 11 high-stakes, tech-governance feature articles probing cybersecurity funding and spectrum licensing transparency; and seven analytical commentaries advocating for policy reform.
In the statement issued in Lagos to mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the FOI Act into law, MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, praised both journalists for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment to public-interest journalism.
"The FOI Act is a most potent weapon in a journalist’s arsenal, but it will only be effective if we constantly wield it," Mr. Ojo stated. "The Act provides media practitioners with an indispensable tool to perform their key constitutional duty of holding the Government accountable to the people. Let us use it relentlessly."
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Mr. Ojo acknowledged that while many investigative journalists across Nigeria regularly use the FOI Act to expose corruption, track public spending, and verify government claims; often facing deep-seated institutional secrecy and weak transparency systems, many did not submit entries.
He encouraged all media organizations to remain steadfast in using the law to promote good governance.
The awards are named in honor of former President Goodluck Jonathan, celebrating his historic and courageous assent to the Freedom of Information Act on May 28, 2011. This landmark executive action established the legal framework guaranteeing the Nigerian public's right to access state-held information.
Mr. Ojo reaffirmed MRA’s unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen media freedom, transparency, and democratic accountability, referencing Section 14 of the Constitution, which mandates the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government.
Due to scheduling adjustments, the formal presentation ceremony will take place at a later, soon-to-be-announced date. Both Ms. Oladunjoye and Remmy Nweke will be formally honored with a commemorative plaque, a certificate of excellence, and a prize.
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The awards are named in honor of former President Goodluck Jonathan, celebrating his historic and courageous assent to the Freedom of Information Act on May 28, 2011. This landmark executive action established the legal framework guaranteeing the Nigerian public's right to access state-held information.
Mr. Ojo reaffirmed MRA’s unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen media freedom, transparency, and democratic accountability, referencing Section 14 of the Constitution, which mandates the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government.
Due to scheduling adjustments, the formal presentation ceremony will take place at a later, soon-to-be-announced date. Both Ms. Oladunjoye and Remmy Nweke will be formally honored with a commemorative plaque, a certificate of excellence, and a prize.
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