As part of its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the public sector, the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity held a capacity building workshop on Public Interest Disclosure and Accountability for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The workshop was organized in partnership with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).
The event brought together key public officers from across federal institutions to deepen their understanding of the role of whistleblower policies and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in strengthening internal accountability mechanisms. The workshop served as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of proactive information disclosure and the protection of whistleblowers, especially in an era of public distrust in governance.
The Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Umar Yakubu while speaking emphasized the need for MDAs to move beyond policy statements to actual implementation of accountability tools such as whistleblower frameworks and FOI compliance.
Experts and facilitators unpacked the legal and institutional frameworks for public interest disclosures in Nigeria, drawing attention to the Federal Government’s whistleblower policy and its relevance to anti-corruption efforts. The sessions also explored how public institutions can create safe, internal channels for reporting misconduct, while also understanding their responsibilities under the FOI Act to proactively publish and make accessible information of public interest.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Arabi highlighted the importance of institutional commitment to these reforms, stressing that MDAs must take ownership of these policies and integrate them into their operational culture. “There is a need to further assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms, identify gaps and explore innovative strategies that will enhance implementation,” he added.
While enjoining participant to pay rapt attention, he said that the workshop presents a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and capacity building among public officers and relevant stakeholders.
On his part, the coordinator of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Dr. Chido Onuma, called the attention of government to need to protect individuals who speak out against corruption. He said that without adequate safeguards, the fear of retaliation continues to discourage many from reporting wrongdoing, thereby weakening efforts to ensure transparency in public institutions.
At the end of the workshop, participants agreed on a set of action points, including the need for MDAs to develop and strengthen whistleblower policies, train staff on the provisions of the FOI Act, and ensure timely and proactive disclosure of public information. The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Center and its partners to building a public service that values openness, integrity, and accountability.