Vol 2 No 1 (2024)
Articles
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) As A tool for The Protection and Advancement of Human Rights in Nigeria
Published
September 21, 2024
Keywords
- Freedom of Information Act,
- Protection,
- Advancement,
- Democracy,
- Human Right and Nigeria
How to Cite
Nwinkol, B., & Umoh, A. (2024). Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) As A tool for The Protection and Advancement of Human Rights in Nigeria. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 64-84. Retrieved from http://103.133.36.82/index.php/alpamet/article/view/750
Abstract
The right of members of the public to access information held by public institutions is the fundamental prerequisite for the enthronement of good governance, advancement of human right and consolidation of democratic norms and practice. Democracy depends on open government and the opportunity for people to participate actively, but this cannot effectively and meaningfully take place until the right of citizens, their inalienable rights are guaranteed. It is in the light of the above that this paper examined the freedom of information Act (FOIA) as a tool for the protection and advancement of democracy and human right in Nigeria. The paper critically explores the act to unravel the expected benefits on the right of Nigerians and appraised whether it has impacted positively or negatively on them. The challenges in aiding the advancement of human right in Nigeria and the prospect of overcoming all the hiccups lies with the holistic implementation of the Act to the letter. The paper concludes that ensuring that having access to all the information contend in the Act is the inalienable right of Nigerians and that anything on the contrary constitute a flagrant abuse of the fundamental human right of Nigerians no matter their status in the society.
References
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Crawford, R. (1991). In the Era of Human Capital. New York: Harper-Collins, p. 120.
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Godfrey, T. U., Uwa, K. L., & Akpan, A. (2024). Personality Traits and Academic Performance of Students in Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 12(1), 21-37.
Guida, R. A. (1989). “The Costs of Freedom of Information”, Public interest 97 (3), 87-95. Available at www.researchgate.net. Accessed 15/8/2023.
Hazell, R. (1989). Freedom of Information in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Public Administration. 67 (2), 189-210.
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Ikelegbe, A. (2013). Politics and Governance in Nigeria: Perspectives, Issues and Cases, Centre for Population and Environmental Development, Benin City. pp. 61-70.
Inokoba, P. K. (2014). “Freedom of Information Act and Democratic consolidation in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges”., International Journal of Development and Sustainability, vol. 3, No 12, pp. 2258-2271. Available at www.isdsnet.com/ijds-v3-n12-7. pdf. Accessed 5/1/2020.
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Kuunifaa, C. D. (2011). Access-to-Information Legislation as a Means to Achieve Transparency in Ghanaian Governance: Lessons from the Jamaican Experience, paper presented at World Library and Information Congress, 77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly, Puerto Rico, 13-18 August, 2011. Available at https://www.conference..ifla.org77/ifla. Accessed 26/12/2009.
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Mendel, T. (2001). Freedom of Freedom of Information as an Internationally Protected Human Right, 2001. Available at www.article19.org. Accessed 4/1/2020.
National Human Rights Commission Audit Report 2012. Available at www.proshareng.com>news>Na.... Accessed 1/1/2020.
Nyarks, A. (2006). Varieties of Anaang language. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Uyo.
Nyarks, A. (2012). English Mirror. Use of English and Communication Skills. Uyo: Noble Publishers & Associates.
Nyarks, A., & Campus, O. A. (2022). The Linguistic Evaluation of Anaang Syllable Structures. International Journal of Formal Education, 1(8), 1-15.
Nyarks, D. A. (2022, August). Affixation: A linguistic strategy for language development, a case study of Anaang language. In " ONLINE-CONFERENCES" PLATFORM (pp. 140-149).
Odumtan, K. (2011). “Simplifying the FOI Act: 2011”, Online Newspaper. 6 June, 2011. Available at www.334next.comCSP/CMS/cites/metro/5710762. Accessed 2/1/2020.
Official Secret Act (OSA). Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1911, London.
Okpeh, S. G. (2010). “A Stable Criticism on the Freedom of Information Act. Eye View Displace”, 2010. Available at www.unijos.edu.ng/bitstream/10485. Accessed 4/1/2020.
Olakanmi, J. (2014). Handbook on Human Rights, Law-Lords Publication, Abuja. pp. 19-22.
Olubunmi F. (2015). “The Nigeria Freedom of Information Law: Progress, implementation Challenges and Progress”, Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, January, 2015. www.researchgate.net>publication. Accessed 26/12/2019.
Rousseau, J. J. (1762). The Social Contract. https://en.m.wikipedia.org.wiki-social... Accessed 2/1/2020.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Yusuf, P. (2018). “The Freedom of Information Act 2011 (FOI): What it Means for you”, December,. Public Affairs Department in the Communicator, Nigerian Communication Commission: ¾ Edition. www.gov.ng>thecommunicator. Accessed 31/12/2019.
Birkinshaw, P. (2010). Freedom of Information: The law, the Practice and the ideal, 2010, 4th edition (London: Butter woods).
Crawford, R. (1991). In the Era of Human Capital. New York: Harper-Collins, p. 120.
Dareh, C., & Underwood P. G. (2010). Freedom of Information in the Developing World: The Citizens the State and Models of Openness, Oxford, Cambridge: Chandos Publishing.
Davis, S., & Davidson B. (2020). Vision, 1991, New York: Simon Schuster.
Dawodu, M. O. “An Overview of the Freedom of Information Act” (an Appraisal from a Lawyer’s Perspective), 19 August, 2016 Available at www.lexology.com>library>detail. Accessed 4/1/2020.
Doctor, R. D. (1992). “Social Equity and Information Technologies: Moving Toward Information Democracy”, Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Ed, M. William. Vol. 27, pp. 46-96.
Enonche, E. (2012). “What to Expect from the Newly Signed Freedom of Information Act”. A Conference Paper Delivered at the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Workshop 27 April,. Available at www.2knigeria.org/index.php?option+com-docman&/temid=340 Accessed 4/1/2020.
Glenn, A. D. (1990). Democracy and Technology, The Social Studies. Vol. 81, no. 5, pp. 215-217. Available at www.learntechlib.org. Accessed 15/8/2023.
Godfrey, T. U., Uwa, K. L., & Akpan, A. (2024). Personality Traits and Academic Performance of Students in Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 12(1), 21-37.
Guida, R. A. (1989). “The Costs of Freedom of Information”, Public interest 97 (3), 87-95. Available at www.researchgate.net. Accessed 15/8/2023.
Hazell, R. (1989). Freedom of Information in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Public Administration. 67 (2), 189-210.
Igwe, U. (2015). “Freedom of Information Act and the Fight against Corruption”. Premium times, 25th November, 2015. Available at www.premiumtimes.com/2015/11rs/freedom-of-information-act-and-the-fight-against-comption-by-uche-igwe. Accessed 5/1/2020.
Ikelegbe, A. (2013). Politics and Governance in Nigeria: Perspectives, Issues and Cases, Centre for Population and Environmental Development, Benin City. pp. 61-70.
Inokoba, P. K. (2014). “Freedom of Information Act and Democratic consolidation in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges”., International Journal of Development and Sustainability, vol. 3, No 12, pp. 2258-2271. Available at www.isdsnet.com/ijds-v3-n12-7. pdf. Accessed 5/1/2020.
John, S. (1859). Mill. On liberty, Knitted Kingdom. Available at www.en.m.wikipedia.org>wiki>onliberty. Accessed 2/1/2020.
Kaluge, D. (2013). Human Right Abuse. Available at www.naijalegaltalking.com accessed 1/1/2020.
Kuunifaa, C. D. (2011). Access-to-Information Legislation as a Means to Achieve Transparency in Ghanaian Governance: Lessons from the Jamaican Experience, paper presented at World Library and Information Congress, 77th IFLA General Conference and Assembly, Puerto Rico, 13-18 August, 2011. Available at https://www.conference..ifla.org77/ifla. Accessed 26/12/2009.
McCredie, M., & Rice R. E. (2016). Trends in Analyzing Access to Information Part 1: Cross-Disciplinary Conceptualizations of Access, 1999, Information Processing and Management 35. pp.45-46. Available at https://www.researchgate.net>publication. Accessed 26/12/2009.
Mendel, T. (2001). Freedom of Freedom of Information as an Internationally Protected Human Right, 2001. Available at www.article19.org. Accessed 4/1/2020.
National Human Rights Commission Audit Report 2012. Available at www.proshareng.com>news>Na.... Accessed 1/1/2020.
Nyarks, A. (2006). Varieties of Anaang language. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Uyo.
Nyarks, A. (2012). English Mirror. Use of English and Communication Skills. Uyo: Noble Publishers & Associates.
Nyarks, A., & Campus, O. A. (2022). The Linguistic Evaluation of Anaang Syllable Structures. International Journal of Formal Education, 1(8), 1-15.
Nyarks, D. A. (2022, August). Affixation: A linguistic strategy for language development, a case study of Anaang language. In " ONLINE-CONFERENCES" PLATFORM (pp. 140-149).
Odumtan, K. (2011). “Simplifying the FOI Act: 2011”, Online Newspaper. 6 June, 2011. Available at www.334next.comCSP/CMS/cites/metro/5710762. Accessed 2/1/2020.
Official Secret Act (OSA). Parliament of the United Kingdom, 1911, London.
Okpeh, S. G. (2010). “A Stable Criticism on the Freedom of Information Act. Eye View Displace”, 2010. Available at www.unijos.edu.ng/bitstream/10485. Accessed 4/1/2020.
Olakanmi, J. (2014). Handbook on Human Rights, Law-Lords Publication, Abuja. pp. 19-22.
Olubunmi F. (2015). “The Nigeria Freedom of Information Law: Progress, implementation Challenges and Progress”, Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, January, 2015. www.researchgate.net>publication. Accessed 26/12/2019.
Rousseau, J. J. (1762). The Social Contract. https://en.m.wikipedia.org.wiki-social... Accessed 2/1/2020.
Udo, I. L., & Udoh, M. (2023). Moral Education and Corruption in Nigeria: A Reflection on Plato's Counsel on Education. IILARD Journal of Humanities and Social Policy, 9(1), 1-12.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). Challenges and Prospects for Developing Scientific And Technological Attitude In Africa. African Journal of Culture, Philosophy and Society: Aworom Annang, 3(1), 7-15.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2013). The Place of Mythological Metaphysics in Social Control. Journal of Complementary Reflection: Studies of Asouzu, 3(1), 45-53.
Udoh, M. O. S. E. S. (2014). Socialization and Society: The Family System as a Basic Unit.
Udoh, M., & Umotong, I. (2013). Environment Sustainability and Renewablity. Elements of History and Philosophy of Science.
Yusuf, P. (2018). “The Freedom of Information Act 2011 (FOI): What it Means for you”, December,. Public Affairs Department in the Communicator, Nigerian Communication Commission: ¾ Edition. www.gov.ng>thecommunicator. Accessed 31/12/2019.