The right to know refers to the fundamental principle that individuals have.
It refers to the legal and ethical right to access information that is held by governments, public institutions, and other entities.
This right is often associated with the broader concept of “freedom of information” and is considered a cornerstone of open and transparent governance in democratic societies.
Transparency and access to information are the cornerstones of a healthy democracy.
As the world celebrates World Right to Know Day today, September 28, Most countries are working towards ensuring its citizens have the information they need to engage their democracy fully.
As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating World Right to Know Day, it’s an opportunity for citizens, civil society organizations, and the government to renew their commitment to transparency and access to information.
Activities such as seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns can help educate Nigerians about their rights under the FOIA and promote the benefits of an informed citizenry.
This article explores the significance of this day and the strides Nigeria has made in promoting openness and accountability .
The Significance of World Right to Know Day
World Right to Know Day is a global observance that underscores the fundamental importance of access to information as a human right.
On October 15, 2019, the International Day for Universal Access to Information was proclaimed at the 74th UN General Assembly to be held on 28 September.
However, in 2015, the day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
It is a day to recognize and promote the principles of transparency, openness, and accountability in government and institutions worldwide.
This day serves as a reminder of the critical role information plays in empowering citizens, fostering good governance, and combating corruption.
What Data is saying
Data from a coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria has shown that for 2023, The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission( ICRC) came first in the 2023 National Freedom of Information compliance ranking.
The ICRC was ranked 70.33% of which 18.83% was the level of disclosure, 20% level of responsiveness and 32% proactive disclosures.
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) came second with 64.66 points of which 13.33% is the level of disclosure, 13.33% level of responsiveness and 38% level of proactive disclosure.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) came in third with 10% level of disclosure, 10% level of responsiveness and 43% proactive disclosures.
Members of the coalition include; Right to know (R2K), public and private development centre, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, BudgIT and Media Rights Agenda.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Transparency
Nigeria has taken significant steps toward upholding the right to know.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 2011, is a milestone in promoting openness and transparency.
Under this law, Nigerian citizens have the legal right to request and receive information from government agencies and institutions.
Key Achievements:
- Access to Public Records: The FOIA grants Nigerians access to public records and information held by government bodies, hence, enhancing transparency.
- Promoting Accountability: Access to information enables citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
- Fighting Corruption: Transparency is a powerful tool in the fight against corruption, as it exposes wrongdoing and promotes ethical behavior.
- Empowering Citizens: Knowledge is power, and access to information empowers citizens to make informed decisions, participate in governance, and engage in civic activities.
Also, the Open governance partnership is also one of Nigeria’s commitment to transparency.
In a bid to improve governance, in 2016, Nigeria joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) global family as its 70th member.
The country developed and implemented action plans bordering on transparency, access to information, anti-corruption, citizen engagement, service delivery, inclusion and extractive transparency.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the beneficial ownership registry into law as part of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in August 2020.
The amended law expanded Beneficial Ownership Reporting to all sectors of the economy.
Nigeria was also ranked among the best-improved countries for transparency in the global Open Budget Survey.
The country produced a roadmap of Beneficial Ownership Reporting in 2016 and by 2019, it established Africa’s first Beneficial Ownership Register in the extractive industry.
In recognition of Nigeria’s efforts to establish a public beneficial ownership registry, the country won an OGP Impact Award at the 2021 OGP Global Summit in Seoul, South Korea.
According to a June 2023 report by open government partnership, under the OGP second action plan, Nigeria advanced anti-corruption efforts through greater transparency of corporate beneficial ownership, openness of national and state budgets, and improved management of recovered assets.
OGP helps governments and civil society organizations come up with action plans across issues.
The action plans allows civil society organizations to help shape and oversee governments.
Challenges and Ongoing Efforts
While Nigeria has made commendable progress in promoting the right to know, challenges persist.
Some government agencies are slow in responding to information requests, and not all public institutions have fully embraced the principles of openness and transparency.
Continued efforts are needed to ensure the effective implementation of the FOIA and to raise awareness about the right to know.
One of the challenges faced under Nigeria’s OGP is that lack of ownership among implementing agencies contributed to low levels of completion and few early open government results across most commitments.
What you should know
- World Right to Know Day serves as a reminder of the vital role that access to information plays in strengthening democracies, fostering accountability, and combating corruption.
- In Nigeria, the Freedom of Information Act is a valuable tool for promoting transparency.
