Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the Federal Government to take immediate measures to enhance legal and institutional protections for whistleblowers, acknowledging their role in revealing corruption, human rights abuses, and other misconduct. MRA stated that whistleblowers are essential for transparency, accountability, and good governance. In a Lagos statement for World Whistleblowers’ Day, MRA emphasised
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the Federal Government to take immediate measures to enhance legal and institutional protections for whistleblowers, acknowledging their role in revealing corruption, human rights abuses, and other misconduct. MRA stated that whistleblowers are essential for transparency, accountability, and good governance.
In a Lagos statement for World Whistleblowers’ Day, MRA emphasised that whistleblowers protect public interest by revealing hidden information, despite significant personal risks. In Nigeria, they face fear, retaliation, and legal uncertainty, discouraging others from reporting wrongdoing.
Ms. Ayomide Eweje, Programme Officer at MRA, stated that Nigeria’s whistleblower protection framework is weak and ineffective. The Federal Government threatens whistleblowers with prosecution despite Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, the 2016 Whistleblower Policy was designed to assist in recovering looted funds rather than protecting those exposing corruption or other wrongdoings.
It has been stated that the lack of a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers has made them susceptible to threats, harassment, job losses, and physical harm. Additionally, it has been noted that successive governments in Nigeria have not sufficiently recognised the important contributions of whistleblowers in fighting corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability.
Ms Eweje stated that whistleblowers often act out of a sense of duty and responsibility, describing them as “the eyes and ears of our society” who come forward to reveal wrongdoings. According to her, when whistleblowers report issues, it leads to better management of public funds, more efficient delivery of services, increased trust in institutions, and improved governance. She also emphasised the importance of having reliable channels for reporting misconduct in order to prevent vital information from remaining concealed.
She lamented that, despite the essential role that such courageous individuals play in ensuring that powerful actors in society are held accountable, they continue to face harassment, intimidation, legal hurdles, and retaliation instead of protection, sometimes paying for their selfless acts with their lives or liberty.
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Ms Eweje therefore urged the National Assembly to prioritise the passage of robust whistleblower protection legislation that guarantees confidentiality in reporting in appropriate cases, shields whistleblowers from reprisals, and establishes secure reporting channels while also establishing an independent whistleblower protection agency with the mandate to investigate reprisals, support whistleblowers, and enforce sanctions against those who retaliate against them.
She highlighted the importance of public education and awareness in fostering a culture that values and protects whistleblowing and called on civil society organisations, the media, and professional bodies to work collaboratively to de-stigmatise whistleblowing and ensure that those who speak out are not isolated or vilified.
Ms Eweje said: “On this World Whistleblowers Day, we stand in solidarity with whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have paid a high price for speaking out, particularly against powerful individuals in society. We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for their rights and working towards a society where exposing wrongdoing is not only protected but also celebrated as a courageous act of public service.”
The theme of the 2025 World Whistleblowers’ Day is “Protecting the Truth-Tellers”, and the Day focuses on raising awareness about whistleblowing, combating corruption, and encouraging a positive culture of speaking up within organisations. This year’s campaign, “we’re all ears,” seeks to highlight the importance of whistleblowing and support those who speak up against wrongdoing.
