Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Makurdi, Nigeria — The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyedé, has intensified calls for a comprehensive legislative framework to protect whistleblowers in Nigeria, emphasising that statutory safeguards are essential for the effective implementation of the country’s whistleblowing policy. The appeal was delivered through the Acting Zonal Director of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE) I Effah Imo Okim, during a nationwide sensitisation programme on whistleblowing policy held in Makurdi, Benue State.
The one-day event brought together stakeholders from government, anti-corruption agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector to underscore the critical role of whistleblowing in combating corruption, promoting transparency, and strengthening accountability across both public and private institutions. The programme also provided a platform for robust discussion, education, and awareness on whistleblowing as a cornerstone of good governance and ethical public resource management. This initiative aligns with broader federal government efforts to deepen public engagement in the fight against corruption and to ensure that citizens are informed, protected, and incentivised to report financial crimes and misconduct.
Mr. Olukoyedé’s advocacy for statutory protection reflects growing recognition within Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture that the existing whistleblowing policy, first approved in 2016, requires stronger legal backing to function effectively. While the policy has provided a framework for reporting economic and financial wrongdoing, including incentives for those who provide actionable information, critics and anti-graft advocates have long argued that the absence of a formal law leaves whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation, intimidation, and social stigma. A robust Whistleblower Protection Law would establish clear safeguards against retaliation, ensure confidentiality, and streamline procedures for reporting, verification, and reward mechanisms in line with international best practices.
At the Makurdi event, ACE I Effah Imo Okim reiterated the commission’s commitment to supporting the whistleblowing framework while stressing the need for legislative action to institutionalise protections. Participants emphasised that credible legal structures would not only encourage more Nigerians to speak out against corruption but also reinforce public trust in anti-graft mechanisms. The awareness programme brought together a diverse array of voices, including representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, government agencies, civil society actors, and private sector stakeholders, all of whom underscored the importance of citizen participation in identifying and reporting fraudulent practices.
Whistleblowing has emerged as a pivotal tool in Nigeria’s broader strategy to curb pervasive corruption and enhance accountability in government spending and corporate conduct. Under the current policy, individuals who report credible information that leads to successful investigations or asset recovery may receive financial rewards. However, concerns about the safety of whistleblowers—especially public servants and private sector insiders—have dampened the full potential of the policy.
The EFCC, under Olukoyedé’s leadership, has highlighted whistleblowing as a preventive and proactive measure rather than a reactive one. In public statements made at recent sensitisation programmes, including those reported in Lagos and other states, Olukoyedé has emphasised that effective whistleblowing should deter corruption before it occurs, not merely address it after the fact. He has called on citizens to embrace whistleblowing as a patriotic duty and an essential component in safeguarding national resources.
Recent government initiatives reflect these principles. A two-day nationwide sensitisation programme on whistleblowing policy implementation hosted in Lagos in September 2025, for example, brought together government officials, anti-corruption agencies, and private sector representatives to discuss challenges and opportunities in policy delivery. At this event, stakeholders stressed the significance of enhancing public awareness, improving reporting channels, and ensuring adequate protection to encourage broader citizen participation.
Despite its potential, the whistleblowing policy has faced several challenges since its inception. Low public awareness, cultural resistance to reporting misconduct, and fears of retaliation have hindered uptake. Many Nigerians remain reluctant to come forward due to concerns about job security, social backlash, and the absence of enforceable protections under current regulations. Advocates argue that empowering whistleblowers through legislation would not only protect individuals but also signal government seriousness in institutionalising accountability measures.
Mr. Olukoyedé and other anti-corruption proponents have underlined that a Whistleblower Protection Law is consistent with Nigeria’s international commitments, particularly under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which urges member states to adopt measures that safeguard reporting persons against reprisals. This alignment with global standards would enhance Nigeria’s international standing and strengthen its anti-corruption apparatus.
At the national level, there is already a bill before the National Assembly aimed at providing statutory backing for whistleblowers. Supporters of the bill argue that enacting it into law would formalise confidentiality guarantees, establish clear reporting pathways, and outline penalties for victimisation or obstruction of whistleblowers. Such provisions would reduce fears of reprisal and expand the pool of citizens willing to share information that could lead to significant breakthroughs in corruption investigations.
The call for a legislative framework has drawn widespread attention from civil society organisations, governance experts, and the media. Many have welcomed the EFCC’s stance, noting that whistleblower protection is essential to strengthening democratic governance and combating entrenched corruption. Civil society groups, in particular, have emphasised that statutory safeguards would empower ordinary citizens and civil servants alike to hold public officials and private entities accountable without fear of adverse consequences.
Private sector representatives and anti-graft agencies participating in sensitisation programmes have also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration and stakeholder engagement in implementing the whistleblowing policy. They argue that a legal framework would provide a consistent operational basis for institutions like the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other enforcement bodies to coordinate reporting, investigation, and prosecution processes more effectively.
Observers note that robust whistleblower protection laws are increasingly seen as hallmarks of transparent and accountable governance worldwide. Countries with well-established legal protections for whistleblowers often see higher levels of reporting, improved detection of wrongdoing, and stronger safeguards against corruption-related abuses. By aligning Nigeria’s policy with these international norms, legislative action could help close implementation gaps and foster a culture of accountability across public and private sectors.
As Nigeria continues efforts to deepen democratic governance and strengthen its anti-corruption framework, the drive to enact a comprehensive Whistleblower Protection Law represents a significant policy priority. The advocacy led by the EFCC under Olukoyedé’s leadership underscores the necessity of legal empowerment for whistleblowers as part of a broader strategy to deter corruption and reinforce good governance.
With ongoing engagements among policymakers, anti-graft agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders, momentum appears to be building toward formal legislative action. Should the National Assembly move swiftly to pass the pending bill into law, it could mark a watershed moment in Nigeria’s governance reform agenda—transforming whistleblowing from a policy concept into an enforceable right backed by law.
The Makurdi sensitisation programme, and others like it across the country, highlight the intersection of public education, institutional reform, and legislative advocacy in Nigeria’s evolving anti-corruption landscape. As the debate unfolds, the voices calling for strengthened protections reflect a growing consensus that whistleblowers are essential partners in the battle against corruption and must be shielded by law to fulfil that role effectively.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments