Dear Mr. Adewale,
Warm greetings from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
We acknowledge receipt of MRA’s statement issued on June 6, 2025, in response to the remarks made by our Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, at the event commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Abuja.
While we welcome the right of stakeholders to engage critically on matters of public interest, it is important to clarify that the remarks attributed to Dr. Orji have been taken out of context and misinterpreted in a manner that does not reflect either the intent or the content of his statement. Far from seeking to undermine the FOI Act, NEITI’s position—as expressed during the event—was a reaffirmation of our full and unwavering support for the law as a cornerstone of transparency, civic engagement, and accountability in governance.
The occasion in question, ably convened by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, RoLAC, and the CSO Representative on the NEITI Board, was a reflective forum. It provided an opportunity for key actors to assess the progress and challenges in FOI implementation. In that spirit, the Executive Secretary’s remarks called attention to the need for vigilance, experience sharing, and safeguards—not to restrict access, but to protect the integrity of the law from potential misuse by actors who exploit its provisions for purposes unrelated to transparency or the public interest.
This concern, as raised, does not target genuine users of the Act—journalists, CSOs, or ordinary citizens—but rather points to emerging patterns of impersonation or blackmail by entities posing as NGOs, in ways that divert attention from the law’s intent. The call, therefore, was for collective introspection, not criminalization.
It is equally important to recall NEITI’s historic role in the evolution of the FOI Act. Over a decade ago, our current Executive Secretary, then NEITI’s Director of Communications, served as the desk officer for the agency’s FOI engagement. He worked closely with MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, and the Federal Ministry of Justice to coordinate multi-stakeholder consultations, mobilize civil society, and shape the content of the law. That commitment remains unchanged.
As an institution, NEITI has consistently complied with the FOI Act, reporting annually to the Attorney General, proactively disclosing data, and responding professionally to every FOI request we receive. Our call is not for restriction, but for responsibility—on all sides.
Indeed, NEITI is one of the few government institutions in Nigeria that not only fully complies with the FOI Act but exceeds the minimum requirements, as demonstrated through:
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Regular annual FOI compliance reporting to the Attorney-General;
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Proactive disclosures of audit reports, financial data, and procurement records;
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Publicly accessible dashboards and open data portals;
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Unfettered access to reports, contracts, and sectoral analyses.
These consistent efforts have earned NEITI national and international recognition as a model for openness in governance.
The Executive Secretary’s remarks also highlighted three important and forward-looking recommendations that were unfortunately overlooked in MRA’s statement:
1.
The need for sustained training and capacity building for public institutions on FOI compliance;
2.
Grassroots public enlightenment and civic education on the responsible use of the law;
3.
Stronger institutional frameworks and safeguards, developed in partnership with civil society, to strengthen public trust in the Act.
We therefore respectfully encourage MRA to view our comments in the spirit of constructive dialogue and shared commitment. We are open to further engagement with MRA and partners to explore ways of strengthening the Act through capacity building, digital innovation, and experience-based safeguards.
Let this not be seen as an attempt to discredit the FOI Act, but as a call to protect the Act, not punish its users; to improve practice, not dilute purpose. Let this moment broaden civic dialogue, not narrow it.
Please extend our highest regards to Mr. Ojo and the entire MRA team. We look forward to continued collaboration in advancing transparency, civic rights, and good governance.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Ochonu
For: Head, Communications & Stakeholders Management
Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.neiti.gov.ng
