An Appraisal of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) in Nigeria

Abstract

This study appraises the Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria. The study made use of qualitative research method. The researcher consulted secondary sources such as books, journals, and magazines for the collection of data. The study reveals that in Nigeria, Freedom of Information Act contains more exemption sections and clauses than sections that grant access to information. This means that some mischievous public officers can use these sections for unjust and mischievous purposes. Another fundamental issue that affects The Freedom of Information Act is some other media laws that are still fully operational in Nigeria. For example, we have the Official Secrets Act, Evidence Act, the Public Complaints Commission Act, the Statistics Act, and the Criminal Code; all aimed at suppressing the free flow of information. The study recommends that the workability of the law in Nigeria remains a concern. Allaying this concern will be highly predicated on how well strict compliance is made to the relevant provisions of the law. Some of the anti-press laws that adorn or law book should either be expunged or repelled. It is in that, that the FoIA can be beneficial to the Nigerian nation and its citizens alike.