Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called on Nigerians to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to hold government officials at all levels accountable.
Fagbemi made the call on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting on the FOIA, held in Awka, Anambra State, and organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Represented by Garba Sunday from the FOI Department, Fagbemi said the current administration is committed to transparency and no longer conducts government business in secrecy.
“The FOIA empowers Nigerians to access government records without having to explain why. Public institutions are required to disclose information proactively and maintain accessible records,” he said.
Fagbemi urged citizens, including people with disabilities, to take advantage of the law to monitor government activities and promote good governance.
CTA Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, noted that many Nigerians remain unaware of the FOIA’s benefits 14 years after its enactment. She said the Act empowers citizens to track budgets, monitor programs, and expose corruption.
“Our focus is to promote transparency and accountability, especially in the fight against corruption, which threatens democracy and economic development,” Nwadishi said.
