MRA faults low funding for FOI Act in 2026 budget

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as inadequate funding for the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the 2026 budget, warning that the development could undermine transparency and accountability in governance.

The organisation, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, said its review of the 2026 Federal Government budget showed that more than 99 per cent of public institutions made no provision for FOI implementation.

MRA noted that out of over 1,300 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), only 13 included budgetary allocations for FOI-related activities, representing less than one per cent of public institutions.

According to the group, although the total 2026 budget stands at over ₦58.47 trillion, only ₦191.1 million—about 0.00033 per cent—was allocated for FOI implementation across the 13 institutions.

MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said the FOI Act places clear obligations on public institutions, including proactive disclosure of information, proper record-keeping, staff training, and timely response to information requests, stressing that these responsibilities require dedicated funding.

He warned that the absence of budgetary provisions has over the years contributed to poor record management, low awareness among public officials, delays in responding to requests, and a weakening of citizens’ right to access information.

Longe described the failure to allocate funds as a deliberate attempt to undermine the law, accusing the government of entrenching a culture of secrecy.

He added that without adequate funding, the FOI Act risks becoming ineffective, noting that transparency and anti-corruption efforts cannot be achieved while starving the mechanisms that enable public access to government information.

The report, titled “A Vote Against Transparency: A Report on Allocations for Freedom of Information Implementation in 2026 Federal Budget,” also includes guidelines and a budget template developed by MRA to assist public institutions in planning for FOI compliance.

MRA further expressed concern that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation made no allocation for FOI implementation, despite its statutory role in monitoring compliance with the Act.

The organisation called on the National Assembly to reject budgets of public institutions that fail to include specific provisions for FOI implementation.

It also urged the Attorney-General of theFederation to work with relevant government agencies to mandate all public institutions to include dedicated funding for FOI compliance in their annual budgets.

MRA recommended the creation of a dedicated FOI Act Oversight Fund within the Federal Ministry of Justice to support monitoring and enforcement of the law.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the right to information in Nigeria.

Our correspondent, Zainab Uzomah, reports that the organisation warned that without urgent corrective measures, the implementation of the FOI Act may remain largely ineffective across public institutions.