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As Group Calls for Urgent Passage of Whistleblower Protection Law in Nigeria
- Safiu Kehinde
A recent survey by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in partnership with the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI) has revealed that only 3.1% of 515 federal government institutions surveyed have procedures for internal whistleblowing.
The survey further disclosed the absence of internal whistleblowing policies the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Ministry of Finance.
This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by AFRICMIL’s Programme Manager, Godwin Onyeacholem, in commemoration of the World Whistleblower Day.
While describing the absence of an internal whistleblowing policy in the ICPC, EFCC, Ministry of Finance, as shocking, AFRICMIL called for the urgent passage of whistleblower protection law in Nigeria to safeguard courageous citizens who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the public interest.
The group, in the statement, decried the persistent institutional and legal failures that continue to endanger whistleblowers and discourage public interest disclosures in Nigeria.
Whistleblowing, as described by AFRICMIL’ Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, is a moral stance which must be legally protected, institutionally supported, and culturally accepted.
“Whistleblowing is not just an anti-corruption strategy. It is a moral stance — an expression of faith in the public good,
“But courage alone is not enough. It must be met with legal protection, institutional support, and cultural acceptance.” Onumah said.
The group recounted its efforts to institutionalise whistleblowing in Nigeria since 2017 through its Corruption Anonymous (CORA) project.
It however decried the failure of the Federal Government I’m legally institutionalizing the initiative since its launch of the whistleblower policy nearly a decade ago.
The absence of legal backing, according to Dr Onumah, leaves whistleblowers with no guarantee while also exposing them to retaliation, harassment, job loss and psychological trauma.
While calling on the government to lead by example by institutionalising whistleblowing frameworks across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),
AFRICMIL highlighted demands which it also extended to lawmakers, civil society, and private sector actors.
The group charged the FG to;
“Enact a comprehensive whistleblower protection law that includes anti-retaliation provisions, confidentiality guarantees, and access to redress.
“Mandate all public institutions to adopt internal whistleblowing systems, train staff, and uphold transparency.
“Punish retaliation against whistleblowers, especially by managers or agency heads.
“Invest in public education to destigmatise whistleblowing and shift public perception.
“Encourage private sector participation in promoting ethical reporting environments.”
AFRICMIL reaffirmed its commitment to building a culture where speaking truth to power is not punished but protected, and where integrity is not isolated but institutionalised.