Florida State University’s Mirine Richey says U.S. workplace and parental leave policies can make it harder for mothers to continue breastfeeding by disrupting pumping schedules, reducing...
By Hussaini Ibrahim The Kano State Government has suspended all activities under the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme across the state and constituted a high-level committee to...
The BBC has been told Ahmadzai denies homicide with intent but admits moving the body, claiming that he did so because he feared he would be...
UN Humanitarian officials say Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip are disrupting civilian life, damaging shelters and increasing displacement. By Nathan Morley The UN Office...
Introduction A free, independent, and vibrant press is one of the strongest pillars of any democratic society. It is against this background that most democratic countries make constitutional provisions for a free press . Others even go further to enact specific laws to make affairs of governments freely available to the public. Currently, there are more than 130 countries in the world that have free press laws. They include Sweden, United States, France, South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria did not only make constitutional provisions in Sections 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) but also went ahead to enact the Freedom of Information Act in 2011. Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution states: “ “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter( ie Chapter II) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people” Section 39(1) of same Constitution states : “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference” .. To complement these constitutional provisions, Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is established.” while Section 2(2), states that: “A public institution shall ensure the proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody in a manner that facilitates public access to such information” Primary Purpose of FOIA According to the Act, its primary purpose is to make information about public records freely available to every Nigerian in the public interest. Relevance To Journalists And Press Freedom Although, the law is for every citizen to access public information, it is most relevant to journalists and whistleblowers. Given the fact that the Act has been in existence for 15 years, how far has it impacted on the scope of press freedom in Nigeria?. This writer believes that the Act has essentially given legal backing to journalists to request public interest information, expose corruption in public places as well as establish a clear avenue to sue public entities that refuse to disclose information. NOTABLE CASES IN SUPPORT OF FOIA Some of the notable cases adjudicated upon to support these arguments during the period include: Committee for Defence of Human Rights(CDHR) V Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) (Suit No.FHC/L/CS/784/2011) This is the first case that tested the implementation of the provisions of the FOIA. In this case,the CDHR requested the EFCC to disclose its evidence of a bribery allegation it made against some members of its leadership. When the EFCC refused to do so, the CDHR sued the organisation at a Federal High Court in Lagos to release information to back up its claim. In a judgement delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, the EFCC was asked to disclose the information to the public.This judgment opened the door for future litigations on the effectiveness of the Act....
![Transfer: Diomande becomes Real Madrid’s most expensive signing [TOP 5]](https://i2.wp.com/dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Yan-Diomande.jpg?w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "Transfer: Diomande becomes Real Madrid’s most expensive signing [TOP 5]")
![Transfer: Diomande becomes Real Madrid’s most expensive signing [TOP 5]](https://i2.wp.com/dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Yan-Diomande.jpg?w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "Transfer: Diomande becomes Real Madrid’s most expensive signing [TOP 5]")
Yan Diomande has become Real Madrid’s most expensive signing, following his summer move from RB Leipzig. The Ivorian will cost the LaLiga giants up to €140million...
By Rosemary Iwunze Underwriting firm, Linkage Assurance Plc delivered a strong earnings performance in the first half of 2026, with profit after tax rising by 74...
– Advertisement – The Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) has pledged to strengthen its statutory oversight, eliminate unaccredited practice and enforce the highest ethical...
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate implementation of measures to strengthen the protection of health workers nationwide following rising incidents of harassment and assaults. This...
The PGA Tour’s new competitive model that will begin in 2028 will shift the focus to the regular season and allow the circuit to reimagine the...
Agency Report Some shop owners and residents in Lagos communities have called for stronger enforcement of noise regulations over persistent...
Saheed Oyelakin The Lagos Waste Management Authority has condemned the circulation of outdated videos and images purporting to show the...
Rotimi Agbana Ogun State Government has ruled out the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, saying it will instead...
– Advertisement – Nine conservation organisations across six Southern African countries have joined forces to launch the Vulture Safe Zone...
Janet Ogundepo The Nigerian Medical Association has called on the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to urgently intervene in the...
– Advertisement – An oil and gas expert, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, has attributed fluctuations in the pump prices of Premium...
Janet Ogundepo A physician at Isolo General Hospital, Dr Roseline Nwanebu, has urged residents of Oshodi, Lagos State, to regularly...
Nollywood actor and activist, Stanley Ajemba, popularly known as Stanley Ontop, has called out actress, Regina Daniels, over her alleged reconciliation...
– Advertisement – Rising energy and transportation costs are squeezing household incomes across Lagos, making it increasingly difficult for many...
Iyanuoluwa Abiola Nutritionists have warned fruit traders against washing fruits with laundry detergent or other household cleaning products, saying detergent...
– Advertisement – West Africa Exploration and Production Company (WAEP) is stepping up efforts to unlock more than 1.6 billion...
Iyanuoluwa Abiola Children who sleep in rooms where mosquito coils are burning could be exposed to smoke and pollutants that...
Following the celebrations in honour of Saint Sebastian, patron of Castel Gandolfo, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, parish priest of the Church...
– Advertisement – The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 48 endangered wildlife species in...
In this interview with Vatican Media’s Andrea Tornielli, Bishop Iyad Twal, the Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate – who lives...
Idowu Abdullahi Using ambulances meant for living patients to convey corpses for burial could increase the risk of disease transmission...
Angelus Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariæ. Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto. Ave Maria… Ecce ancílla Dómini. Fiat mihi...
– Advertisement – The Katsina State Commissioner for Environment, Professor Mohammed A. Al-Amin, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),...
Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has revealed that former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is his...
Samuel Omotere A 43-year-old Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, Igho Ubiribo, has died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure...
Pope Leo XIV once again renews his calls for an end to violence in Ukraine, and laments the “violent attacks...
Raphael Ede A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, George Ugwu, has called for a...
James Abraham The Plateau State Government has directed the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary...
Content creators, Peller and Jarvis have continued to dominate social media conversations following updates from their ongoing trip to the...
A bridal shower organised to celebrate an upcoming wedding ended in chaos after a fight broke out among some female...
Popular Davido associate, Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo, famously known as Ego, has died following complications from a penis enlargement procedure in...
– Advertisement – The Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning of Nigeria’s National Assembly (NASS) has successfully completed a three-day...
Pope Leo XIV tells Vatican families they are a “great miracle,” urging them to give life and love generously while...
Social media activist, VeryDarkMan, has reacted to reports that Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has returned to her husband, billionaire businessman...
– Advertisement – UN Climate Change, through the #Together4Transparency initiative, UNEP, UNDP, FAO, CBIT-GSP and the Baku Transparency Platform (BTP)...
