Anti-corruption advocates, civil society organisations, and legal experts have renewed calls for the enactment of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law to bolster Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
The demand was made at the First National Interactive Forum on Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection for Federal High Court Judges, held in Abuja on Thursday. The event was organised by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in partnership with Tap iNitiative, CeFTPI, PRIMORG, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Themed “The Judiciary and Whistleblower Protection in Nigeria: Challenges and Responsibilities,” the forum spotlighted the vulnerability of whistleblowers under Nigeria’s 2016 whistleblowing policy, which lacks a legal framework for adequate protection.
Speaking at the forum, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho—represented by Justice Dorcas Agishi—warned that without proper safeguards, whistleblowers are often silenced through intimidation. “When whistleblowers are forced into silence, a powerful tool against corruption is lost,” he said, urging judges to embrace international best practices in whistleblower protection.
Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, stressed that fear of reprisal, not corruption itself, often prevents Nigerians from speaking out. He noted that whistleblowers face harassment, intimidation, and job loss due to the absence of strong legal protections. “Judges are the most important stakeholders in safeguarding whistleblowing and whistleblowers,” he added.
Similarly, Anthony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, represented by Harry Obe, called on the National Assembly to pass the long-awaited Whistleblower Protection Bill as a matter of legislative urgency. He urged lawmakers to ensure clear protection mechanisms, adequate funding, and punitive measures against retaliators.
“Let us see whistleblowers not as snitches but as heroes defending our commonwealth and our rights,” Ojukwu emphasised.
The Executive Director of PRIMORG, Augustine Agbonsuremi, also appealed to judges to contribute toward establishing a robust legal framework for whistleblowing.
Stakeholders agreed that a whistleblower protection law would not only safeguard individuals but also strengthen Nigeria’s institutions, promote accountability, and reinforce the fight against corruption.
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