In commemoration of the 2025 World Whistleblowers’ Day, themed “Protecting the Truth- Tellers”,Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently strengthen legal and institutional protections for whistleblowers.
The organisation described whistleblowers as the “cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and good governance,” and stressed the need for reforms to ensure their safety and empowerment.
In a statement issued by MRA, the organisation highlighted the critical role whistleblowers play in exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and other misconduct. It noted, however, that many whistleblowers in Nigeria operate in a hostile environment marked by fear, retaliation, and legal ambiguity, which deter many others from coming forward with information about wrongdoing.
“Whistleblowers serve the public interest by courageously disclosing information that would otherwise remain hidden, often at great personal risk,” the statement read.
Ayomide Eweje, Program Officer at MRA, criticised the current whistleblower protection mechanisms in the country as inadequate and ineffective.
She said: “We note that the current whistleblower protection framework in Nigeria remains weak, fragmented, and largely ineffective. The Federal Government continues to threaten whistleblowers with prosecution despite the whistleblower protection provisions in Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act.”
Eweje explained that the Whistleblower Policy adopted by the Federal Government in 2016 was primarily focused on recovering stolen public funds and lacked any meaningful provisions to protect the individuals who report such crimes. She added that the absence of a comprehensive legal framework has left many whistleblowers vulnerable to harassment, job loss, and even physical harm.
According to her, successive governments have failed to appreciate the immense societal value of whistleblowers and the role they play in promoting accountability. “Whistleblowers are the eyes and ears of our society; they step forward so that the rest of us can see and act,” she said. “When whistleblowers speak up, everyone benefits, public funds are better managed, there is more efficient delivery of public services, trust in institutions grows, and we have better governance.”
Despite their contributions, Eweje lamented that whistleblowers often suffer severe consequences for their actions, including threats, legal battles, and social isolation.
“They continue to face harassment and intimidation instead of protection, sometimes paying for their selfless acts with their lives or liberty,” she said.
As part of its advocacy, MRA called on the National Assembly to urgently enact a comprehensive whistleblower protection law. Such legislation, it said, must ensure confidentiality, secure reporting channels, and shield whistleblowers from all forms of reprisals. The group also recommended the establishment of an independent whistleblower protection agency.
Eweje further stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns and education in shifting cultural perceptions around whistleblowing. She called on civil society organisations, the media, and professional associations to collaborate in creating a safe and supportive environment for whistleblowers.
“We must work together to de-stigmatise whistleblowing and ensure that those who speak out are not isolated or vilified,” she added.
“On this World Whistleblowers’ Day, we stand in solidarity with whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have paid a high price for speaking out, particularly against powerful individuals in society,” Eweje said. “We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for their rights and working towards a society where exposing wrongdoing is not only protected but also celebrated as a courageous act of public service.”