The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise the enactment of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law that meets international standards, as whistleblowers in Nigeria continue facing severe retaliation for exposing wrongdoing.
The organisation made the call on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2026 World Whistleblower Day, a day marked globally by civil society organisations, transparency advocates, journalists, and accountability institutions to recognise the contributions of whistleblowers to promoting transparency, accountability, integrity, and good governance.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA lamented that whistleblowers in Nigeria continue to experience dismissal from employment, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats, reputational attacks, legal action, and physical harm following their disclosures.
MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms Adesewa Akintokun, expressed concern that Nigeria still lacks a comprehensive legal framework providing effective and enforceable protection for whistleblowers.
She noted that although various policy initiatives have been adopted over the years to encourage reporting of corruption and misconduct, such measures remain inadequate without robust legislation guaranteeing confidentiality, protection against retaliation, access to remedies, and appropriate support mechanisms for individuals who disclose information in the public interest.
“Whistleblowers play a critical role in exposing corruption, fraud, abuse of office, human rights violations, threats to public health and safety, environmental harm, and other forms of wrongdoing that undermine democratic governance and the public interest. Their courage in speaking out often provides the first warning of misconduct that would otherwise remain hidden from public scrutiny,” she said.
She warned that despite their vital role in society, whistleblowers frequently experience attacks and other forms of reprisals, which not only violate their rights but also create a climate of fear that discourages others from reporting wrongdoing.
MRA proposed that any comprehensive whistleblower protection law should provide secure reporting channels, protect whistleblowers in both public and private sectors, ensure independent investigation of disclosures, and establish effective sanctions against those who retaliate against whistleblowers.
Akintokun argued that whistleblower protection is closely linked to the rights of freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom, as individuals who disclose information about wrongdoing contribute significantly to informed public debate and help citizens hold public and private institutions accountable.
“Protecting whistleblowers is therefore an important component of efforts to strengthen democratic governance and civic space, and the protection of whistleblowers should be recognised as a national priority,” she stated.
MRA urged public institutions, private companies, civil society organisations, and professional bodies to adopt internal policies and procedures that encourage the reporting of wrongdoing and protect those who raise concerns in good faith.
Akintokun stressed the importance of creating safe and trusted reporting mechanisms within organisations, emphasising that such mechanisms are essential for preventing corruption, strengthening institutional integrity, and promoting accountability.
The organisation called on journalists and media organisations to continue reporting responsibly on disclosures made in the public interest while taking appropriate measures to protect confidential sources of information.
MRA noted that the media remains a critical institution in ensuring that information about misconduct reaches the public and contributes to meaningful reform and institutional change.
Akintokun stressed that creating an environment where whistleblowers can speak out without fear requires commitment from all stakeholders in society.
“A society that values accountability must also value and protect those who have the courage to expose wrongdoing,” she said, calling on all stakeholders to work together to create conditions in which truth, integrity, and accountability are protected and celebrated.
Akintokun paid tribute to whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have taken significant personal and professional risks to reveal information that has helped safeguard public resources, strengthen institutions, and advance accountability.
She noted that their actions demonstrate a deep commitment to the public good and underscore the importance of openness and transparency in democratic societies.
The call for comprehensive whistleblower protection comes amid growing concern about the vulnerability of individuals who expose corruption and misconduct in Nigeria, where such disclosures often result in severe professional and personal consequences.
