By Joy Odor
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) regime, the International Press Centre (IPC) will host a high-level stakeholders’ technical two days meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Abuja to review the proposed amendments to the FOI Act and enhance mechanisms for improved reporting and compliance.
The event is being convened under the framework of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, with IPC serving as co-implementing partner for Component 4, which focuses on media support.
Organized in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and YIAGA Africa, the session aimed to develop a comprehensive Position Paper reflecting the perspectives and recommendations of key stakeholders in the media, civil society, legal, and governance sectors.
According to Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC. the forum will create a platform for stakeholders to critically review the FOI Amendment Bill and contribute to improving the effectiveness of the FOI Act.
“The objective is to ensure that reporting and compliance processes under the Act are more transparent, inclusive, and accountable,” he stated.
He informed that the event will feature Mr. Edet Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, is the lead resource person and is expected to draw about 25 select participants, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice’s FOI Unit, media professionals, and civil society organizations.
Arogundade affirmed that the engagement underscores renewed momentum toward safeguarding access to information and strengthening democratic accountability through inclusive legislative reform.
