By Towncriernews
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Publicity, Rotimi Akintunde, has said that open government and the free flow of information are essential for a healthy democracy and good governance.
The lawmaker said this in his goodwill address at the Media/CSO Roundtable commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Nigeria, organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Abuja.
Addressing the challenges of compliance and usage with the theme: “14 Years of FOI Act: Addressing the Challenges of Compliance and Usage” Akintunde underscored that citizens and elected officials should be held responsible for their actions based on ethical standards and a commitment to the public good.
The lawmaker who represent Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency of Ekiti State (APC), said that accountability should not be manipulated or compromised by political agendas or personal connections.
He noted that the FOI Act was not merely a tool; but a foundation for democratic accountability.
“But like all laws, its impact lies not just in its text, but in its enforcement, its uptake, and its mainstreaming into governance
culture,” he said.
He added that as the country marked the midpoint of the current administration and legislative session, there was the need for all to recommit to the principle that the people have a right to know.
“Transparency is not optional, it is constitutional. Accountability is not a political favour, it is a democratic obligation.
“Let us work together across government, media, civil society, and the citizenry, to move from form to function, from rhetoric to results, and from compliance to conviction,” Akintunde said.
Earlier Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), in his opening remarks said the event was convened with the support of the European Union under the Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme.
Arogundade also said that the event was to celebrate an important day; commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
He described the Act as a pivotal law that came into being under the presidency of Dr Goodluck Jonathan with the underlying hope that it would help to advance the principles of transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
“Since its enactment on May 28, 2011, the question of whether the FOI Act has achieved the intended transformative effect persists, given the significant challenges ranging from weak compliance by public institutions to limited awareness and enforcement mechanisms.
“The relatively low rate of use by journalists, civil society groups and citizens in general has also been a concern.
“Yet, it remains a fact that the FOI Act constitutes a critical tool for transparency, especially in the electoral processes and democratic governance.
“This is why one of the goals of Component 4: Support to Media in both phases of EU-SDGN, led by the IPC and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), is to raise awareness among the media and encourage the use of the FOI Act to improve accountability,” he said.
The executive director added that the roundtable was therefore not merely a ceremonial observance.
According to him, “It is a strategic forum to re-evaluate the use of the FOI Act as a lever for electoral transparency, government accountability, and active citizenship.
“It is a call for renewed commitment from all stakeholders; government actors, media professionals, civil society advocates, and development partners to how the FOI Act can be made to work better for the good of society.
“We aim to identify concrete pathways to improve institutional compliance at both the federal and state levels;
strengthen media capacity for investigative, professional, and inclusive reporting; and leverage the FOI Act as an integral part of Nigeria’s democratic development.
“Importantly, this event is designed not only to spark dialogue but also to yield measurable progress.”