The Media Rights Agenda has raised concerns over what it describes as inadequate funding for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in the 2026 federal government budget.
MRA warned that the trend could undermine transparency and accountability in governance while accusing the government of institutionalising a culture of secrecy.
In a report released on Wednesday, the organisation said over 99 percent of federal public institutions made no budgetary provisions for implementing the FOI Act.
The report, titled “A Vote Against Transparency: A Report on Allocations for Freedom of Information Implementation in 2026 Federal Budget,” revealed that only 13 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), representing less than one percent of over 1,300 federal institutions, allocated funds for FOI-related activities.
The group noted that while the total 2026 federal budget stands at ₦58.47 trillion, only ₦191.1 million was earmarked for FOI implementation across the 13 institutions, representing just 0.00033 percent of the national budget.
Speaking on the findings, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said effective compliance with the FOI Act requires dedicated funding.
“The FOI Act imposes clear obligations on public institutions, including proactive disclosure of information, proper record-keeping, personnel training, and timely response to public requests. Without adequate funding, these responsibilities cannot be meaningfully discharged,” he said.
He added that the absence of budgetary provisions over the years has contributed to poor record management, low awareness among public officials, delayed responses to information requests, and a gradual erosion of citizens’ right to access information.
MRA argued that the failure to fund FOI implementation is not merely an oversight but a deliberate attempt to weaken enforcement of the law and entrench opacity in governance.
The organisation expressed particular concern over the failure of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to allocate funds for its statutory responsibilities under the Act, despite being the primary oversight body mandated to monitor compliance.
Longe described the development as troubling, noting that it sends a signal to other institutions that compliance with the FOI Act can be ignored without consequences.
“By failing to fund the FOI Act, the federal government is effectively rendering the law inoperative. You cannot promote transparency or fight corruption while starving the mechanism that enables citizens to hold the government accountable,” he added.
MRA called on the National Assembly to reject budgets of public institutions, beginning with the Federal Ministry of Justice, that fail to include dedicated FOI implementation provisions.
It also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to work with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and the Budget Office to mandate all public institutions to include adequate FOI funding in their annual budgets.
The group further recommended the establishment of a dedicated FOI Act Oversight Fund within the Ministry of Justice to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.
MRA reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to advance transparency, accountability, and citizens’ right to information in Nigeria.