The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has urged the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, to expedite the passage of Nigeria’s whistleblower protection bill into law.
This call to action is motivated by the prolonged delay in enacting the legislation, which has left potential whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation.
In a letter to the minister, AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, emphasized the crucial role of whistleblowers in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. Onumah noted that the absence of a protection law has hindered accountability in both the public and private sectors.
Background on Whistleblower Policy
The whistleblowing policy was introduced in 2016 by the Federal Ministry of Finance to encourage citizens to report fraud, bribery, and looted government funds. However, its effectiveness has waned over the years, prompting the Federal Government to approve a new whistleblower draft bill in December 2022.
Concerns and Recommendations
Despite the approval of the draft bill, the 9th National Assembly failed to pass it into law. Onumah expressed concern over the lack of progress in moving the bill to the National Assembly and urged the minister to use his influence to accelerate the process.
Best Practice Whistleblower Law StandardsAccording to best practice whistleblower law standards, a protection law should explicitly protect disclosures that the whistleblower reasonably believes evidence any violation of any law, rule, or regulation.
The law should also protect disclosures made as part of an employee’s normal work duties and provide for independent and timely investigations into alleged misconduct.
CThe passage of Nigeria’s whistleblower protection bill into law is long overdue. AFRICMIL’s call to action emphasizes the need for a legal framework to safeguard whistleblowers and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The minister’s prompt attention to this matter is crucial in ensuring that Nigeria joins Ghana as the only West African country with a progressive whistleblower protection
.