Skip to main content

KNOWING AND MAKING THE MOST OF THE FOI ACT AS A JOURNALIST




By Adetunji Morenike, Abdulrasheed Baliqis and Vidal Emmanuel

It is less than 24 hours to commemorate this year’s international world press freedom day and there’s no better time to talk about laws and Acts of parliament that has contributed to the ease of practicing journalism in Nigeria. The most recent of such law is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) enacted and signed into law in 2012 by President Jonathan’s administration.
Knowledge, as it is popularly said is power, and information can make or mar any individual or even a nation. This is why it is important for journalists and aspiring journalists to be in comprehension of the FOI Act.

In a country whereby information seems impossible to retrieve from the 'powers-that-be', the freedom of information law gives the journalist and every single member of the public the right to request for information from federal bodies.


Basically, the FOI is a federal law that gives the public the right to make requests for federal agency records, enforceable by the court. This is super important as it makes you know your right as a journalist and how it works.

The Freedom of Information Act states that all federal agencies are required to make requested records available unless the records are protected from disclosure by one of nine FOIA exemptions.
As the right of access to information is important, the FOI Act makes it possible for journalists to source for the necessary information without the thought of being rejected or withheld of any vital information.

Access to information enables journalists exercise their role as public watchdogs in our democracies.
Journalists play a vital role in getting the right information but are constantly faced with challenges in accessing information from public bodies, especially when such information relates to sensitive issues like looting of funds, crime, and other forms of corruption.
It is important to note that the FOI Act can be enforced by courts and the agencies are advised not to withhold information from journalists just because it technically falls within an exemption and encouraged agencies to give out the necessary information where and when it is most needed.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

82 LASUSTECH Students Benefit from N7.8 Million NELFUND Disbursement

Habeeb Ibrahim 82 students at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) will benefit from a disbursement of N7,853,000, as part of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student loan program.  According to NELFUND’s announcement on their X (formerly Twitter) platform, the funds will be allocated to assist these students with their educational expenses. NELFUND announced that a total of 98 institutions across all six geo-political zones are now benefiting from the student loan program. In total, 105,844 students are receiving financial assistance, with ₦11,047,793,949.80 disbursed to date.  The statement reads: "98 Institutions across all geo-political zones are now benefiting from student loans. "105,844 Students are receiving financial support, empowering them to achieve their educational dreams. ₦11,047,793,949.80 disbursed to date." As of the time of publication, the management of LASUSTECH has yet to make an official ann...

NELFUND: LASUSTECH Receives ₦112M, Contradicting Initial ₦7.8M for 82 Students

By Habeeb Ibrahim     The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has acknowledged the receipt of ₦112,057,000.00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand Naira Only) from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).  The funds were allocated to 1,233 students under the NELFUND student loan program. This announcement contradicts an earlier statement by NELFUND, which indicated that only 82 LASUSTECH students would benefit from a total disbursement of ₦7,853,000. The development was disclosed in a letter signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olumuyiwa Omotola Odusanya, and addressed to the Managing Director/CEO of NELFUND.  "The institution acknowledges the receipt of payment of ₦112,057,000.00 for 1,233 students who applied for the NELFUND student loan program," Prof. Odusanya stated in the letter. Earlier in the week, LASUSTECH WATCH had received an anonymous tip regarding the payment but refrained from publish...

How to Apply for NELFUND Student Loans: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Habeeb Ibrahim   The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has long opened its portal for students from 36 state-owned and federal tertiary institutions to apply for student loans. The programme, which is part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to enhance access to education, provides financial support to students who might otherwise struggle with tuition and living expenses. For students interested in applying, here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to navigate the NELFUND loan application process: Step 1: Creating an Account 1. Visit the NELFUND website Go to nelf.gov.ng, where you can access the loan portal. 2. Click “Apply Now” Once on the homepage, click the “Apply Now” button and select “Get Started” to begin your application. 3. Confirm Your Nigerian Citizenship Answer the questions presented and click “Yes, I am a Nigerian” to proceed with your application. 4. Verify Your Educational Information Click “Verify with JAMB” to authenticate your educa...