Citizenship News
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today, June 23, called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the enactment of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law that meets international standards and best practices.
This, the MRA said, is necessary as whistleblowers in Nigeria continue to face retaliation, including dismissal from employment, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats, reputational attacks, legal action, and physical harm.
In a statement issued in Lagos in commemoration of the 2026 World Whistleblower Day, which is being celebrated around the world by civil society organizations, transparency advocates, journalists, and accountability institutions, among others, in recognition of the invaluable contributions of whistleblowers to the promotion of transparency, accountability, integrity, and good governance, the MRA said such legislation should provide secure reporting channels, protect whistleblowers in both the public and private sectors, ensure independent investigation of disclosures, and establish effective sanctions against those who retaliate against whistleblowers.
In the statement issued by its Programme Officer, Ms Adesewa Akintokun, MRA expressed concern that Nigeria still lacks a comprehensive legal framework that provides effective and enforceable protection for whistleblowers, noting that although various policy initiatives have been adopted over the years to encourage the reporting of corruption and other misconduct, such measures remained inadequate in the absence of a robust legislation guaranteeing confidentiality, protection against retaliation, access to remedies, and appropriate support mechanisms for individuals who disclose information in the public interest.
Ms Akintokun said: “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 noted that despite their vital role in society, whistleblowers frequently experience attacks and other forms of reprisals, which not only violate their rights as whistleblowers but also create a climate of fear that discourages others from reporting wrongdoing.
Ms Akintokun argued that whistleblower protection is closely linked to the rights to 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, she said, is therefore an important component of efforts to strengthen democratic governance and civic space, adding that the protection of whistleblowers should be recognized as a national priority.
Ms Akintokun urged public institutions, private companies, civil society organizations, and professional bodies to adopt internal policies and procedures that encourage the reporting of wrongdoing and protect those who raise concerns in good faith, adding that creating safe and trusted reporting mechanisms is essential for preventing corruption, strengthening institutional integrity, and promoting accountability.
She called on journalists and media organizations to continue reporting responsibly on disclosures made in the public interest while taking appropriate measures to protect confidential sources of information, as the media remains a critical institution in ensuring that information about misconduct reaches the public and contributes to meaningful reform.
Ms Akintokun stressed that “A society that values accountability must also value and protect those who have the courage to expose wrongdoing,” and called on all stakeholders to work together to create an environment in which whistleblowers can speak out without fear and where truth, integrity, and accountability are protected and celebrated.
She 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, saying that their actions demonstrate a commitment to the public good and underscore the importance of openness and transparency in democratic societies.
