March 19, 2019, Abuja – The BPSR in collaboration with R2K, Nigeria, today launched a Federal Government Policy brief titled; “Policy recommendations for strengthening the implementation of the freedom of information act in the Nigeria Federal Public Service”. This was done with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
The policy brief marks the culmination of the joint BPSR and R2K, Nigeria study on “Administrative Burden in the Implementation of The Freedom of Information Act 2011” in 4 pilot supervising Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs). The MDAs in focus were Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Code of Conduct Bureau and Federal Ministry of Finance.
Through the continued engagements between BPSR and R2K, Nigeria to deepen advocacy for access to information and implementation of the freedom of information Act in public institutions in Nigeria, It became imperative that the Federal Government issues a service wide policy on the FOI Act, which reflects key challenges and recommendations to promote access to information within the public service.
The Federal Government in its FOI Policy Brief highlighted 17 constraints and challenges, 6 key lessons learnt and 11 policy recommendations it will undertake across the public service. It is anticipated that the FG through this move, will commit to improve the abysmal low levels of FOI compliance across it public institutions and strengthening the public service, with intent to encourage and prompt legislative, structural and policy changes in FOI implementation in Nigeria.