Our Reporter, Abuja
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has raised concerns over what it described as inadequate funding for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in the 2026 Federal Government budget, warning that the development could undermine transparency and accountability in governance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, MRA said its review of the 2026 budget revealed that more than 99 per cent of federal public institutions failed to make dedicated provisions for implementing the FOI Act.
According to the group, out of over 1,300 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), only 13 made specific budgetary allocations for FOI-related activities—representing less than one per cent of federal institutions.
MRA noted that while the Federal Government’s total expenditure for 2026 stands at over ₦58.47 trillion, only ₦191.1 million was allocated for FOI implementation across the 13 institutions, amounting to just 0.00033 per cent of the national budget.
The organisation’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said the Act imposes clear obligations on public institutions, including proactive disclosure of information, proper record-keeping, training of personnel, and timely response to information requests.
“Effective compliance with these obligations requires dedicated financial resources. Without adequate funding, these responsibilities cannot be meaningfully discharged,” Longe said.
He added that the absence of funding in previous years has contributed to weak record-keeping systems, low awareness among public officials, delayed responses to requests, and a broader erosion of citizens’ right to access information.
Longe argued that the persistent failure to allocate funds for FOI implementation goes beyond administrative oversight, describing it as a deliberate attempt to weaken enforcement of the law and entrench a culture of secrecy in governance.
“It reflects a troubling lack of commitment by the government to transparency, accountability, and the fundamental right of access to information,” he said.
The report, titled “A Vote Against Transparency: A Report on Allocations for Freedom of Information Implementation in 2026 Federal Budget,” also provides guidelines and a budget template developed by MRA to assist public institutions in planning for FOI-related activities.
MRA further expressed concern that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation made no budgetary provision for its oversight responsibilities under the Act, as mandated by Section 29.
Describing the omission as “particularly galling,” Longe said it sends the wrong signal to other institutions that compliance with the law is optional.
The organisation called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to reject budgets of public institutions that fail to include specific allocations for FOI implementation.
It also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to work with relevant government bodies to mandate all public institutions to include adequate FOI funding in their annual budgets and proposed the creation of a dedicated FOI Act Oversight Fund within the Federal Ministry of Justice.
MRA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and ensuring full implementation of the FOI Act in Nigeria.
