Concerns Over Funding for Nigeria's FOI Act Implementation

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA), represented by Deputy Executive Director Mr. Ayod Long, has expressed serious concerns regarding the poor allocation of funding for the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2011 in Nigeria. A report released on the budget for 2026 indicates that only 0.00033% of the national budget, amounting to 191.1 million Naira, is allocated for FOI-related activities across 13 public institutions.

This is a stark contrast to the total federal government budget expenditure of approximately 58.47 trillion Naira. The MRA noted that 99% of federal public institutions have no dedicated budget for carrying out their obligations under the FOI Act, which imposes clear responsibilities including proactive public information dissemination and proper record maintenance.

The lack of funding has led to poor record-keeping systems and a general lack of awareness among public officials, undermining public access to information and transparency. The MRA criticized the government's neglect of the FOI Act, calling it a failure to prioritize compliance in the budget process.