Abuja: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for the digital mainstreaming of Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance frameworks in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. Tajudeen made the call during a two-day FOI strategic stakeholders’ training workshop in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop was themed ‘Upholding Accountability and Transparency in Governance: A Comprehensive Review of FOI Law for Public and Corporate Organisations’. Tajudeen emphasized the need for MDAs to transition from paper-based information systems to integrated digital ecosystems. He suggested that every MDA should maintain an interactive FOI dashboard that is publicly accessible and regularly updated to display the number of requests received, the time taken to respond, and the nature of disclosures made.
Tajudeen, represented by House Committee Chairman on Agricultural Institutions and Allied Centres, Akinlade Isiaq, highlighted that digital transition would enhance transparency, reduce bureaucratic delay, and empower civil society actors. He also proposed that the 10th House consider FOI compliance as a condition for budgetary considerations for MDAs reluctant to comply with the act. He argued that making transparency a prerequisite for accessing public funds would elevate the value of compliance from a procedural formality to a fiscal obligation.
Chairman of the House Committee on FOI, Yusuf Miga, noted that the workshop aimed to celebrate and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. He described FOI as the cornerstone of democracy, essential for enabling citizens to hold the government accountable, fostering trust, and participating actively in the democratic process.
Miga also emphasized FOI laws as crucial tools in the information age, empowering citizens by exploring mechanisms for obtaining information and addressing challenges and opportunities for advocacy. He stressed the importance of education in empowering citizens with knowledge about their rights and the processes available to them.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on FOI, Obordor Mitema, reiterated that the FOI Act is a powerful tool for empowering citizens and exposing the inner workings of government to public scrutiny. He emphasized that insights from the workshop would shape legislative oversight and institutional support strategies to ensure transparency remains a living and working principle in governance.
