Inside Edo
Journalists urged to harness FOI Act for credible reporting, curbing fake news
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
11 Sep 2025 07:30 PM
Benin, Edo – In a clarion call amid rising concerns over misinformation in Nigeria's media landscape, President Aigbokhan, Founder, FOIA Counsel, has urged journalists to actively leverage the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to verify facts from government sources, thereby enhancing the credibility of their work and minimizing risks of defamation.
Aigbokhan, who made the call at a two-day workshop tagged "FOIA Surgery for CSOs and Media", held on September 10-11, 2025, in Benin City, highlighted the Act's pivotal role in empowering citizens and journalists, noting that the initiative builds on prior efforts to foster transparency and accountability in governance.
The workshop, organized by FOIA Counsel/Rural Development Information and Legal Advocacy Center (RUDILAC) in partnership with the Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law Programme (RoLAC) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), trained over 40 lawyers, civil society organization (CSO) representatives, and media practitioners in practical FOIA applications.
"Media must stand up to begin to use FOI. Begin to write to government to get clarification, so that there will be reduction in fake news," Aigbokhan declared
The workshop comes at a critical juncture for Edo State, where recent sensitization efforts by the state government, ANEEJ, and RoLAC have targeted Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on FOIA compliance, underscoring a broader push for inclusive information access.
Omobude Agho, Coordinator General of Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), described the Act as "the biggest weapon that every citizen wields to participate in their government", emphasizing citizens' rights to access information for effective governance engagement.
Omobude who lectured participants on how to effectively file an FOI, advised citizens to direct concise queries to specific MDAs or public-serving private entities, complete with clear contact details, to expedite responses and bolster accountability.
Also, Ms. Uche Nwokedi, State Programme Coordinator for RoLAC, emphasize that the center collaborates with CSOs based on proven transparency, even as she advocates the need for dedicated FOIA desks in key MDAs like the Ministry of Justice.
Nwokedi noted that RoLAC is collaborating with the State government for the full domestication of FOIA, positioning it as a mechanism to bridge gender gaps, and promote inclusivity.
Hands-on guidance on navigating agency responses was provided by Kokoye Blessing, a FOIA Counsel staffer, who introduced digital tools such as the FOI Advisor app to simplify request processes. "Technology can empower CSOs and media to access public information efficiently, strengthening their role in governance oversight," Blessing noted during her interactive session.
Breakout groups offered practical simulations of real-world FOIA applications in advocacy and investigative reporting, equipping attendees with skills to challenge opacity in public institutions..
As the workshop concluded on Thursday, Aigbokhan reiterated its milestone status in cultivating a culture of proactive citizenship. "This is about transforming how we hold power to account," he said, calling on media houses to integrate FOIA into daily operations for robust, fact-based journalism.
The FOIA Surgery not only amplifies voices in Edo State but also sets a replicable model for Nigeria's broader quest for transparent governance, where informed citizens and vigilant media serve as the bedrock of democracy.
Aigbokhan, who made the call at a two-day workshop tagged "FOIA Surgery for CSOs and Media", held on September 10-11, 2025, in Benin City, highlighted the Act's pivotal role in empowering citizens and journalists, noting that the initiative builds on prior efforts to foster transparency and accountability in governance.
The workshop, organized by FOIA Counsel/Rural Development Information and Legal Advocacy Center (RUDILAC) in partnership with the Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law Programme (RoLAC) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), trained over 40 lawyers, civil society organization (CSO) representatives, and media practitioners in practical FOIA applications.
"Media must stand up to begin to use FOI. Begin to write to government to get clarification, so that there will be reduction in fake news," Aigbokhan declared
The workshop comes at a critical juncture for Edo State, where recent sensitization efforts by the state government, ANEEJ, and RoLAC have targeted Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on FOIA compliance, underscoring a broader push for inclusive information access.
Omobude Agho, Coordinator General of Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), described the Act as "the biggest weapon that every citizen wields to participate in their government", emphasizing citizens' rights to access information for effective governance engagement.
Omobude who lectured participants on how to effectively file an FOI, advised citizens to direct concise queries to specific MDAs or public-serving private entities, complete with clear contact details, to expedite responses and bolster accountability.
Also, Ms. Uche Nwokedi, State Programme Coordinator for RoLAC, emphasize that the center collaborates with CSOs based on proven transparency, even as she advocates the need for dedicated FOIA desks in key MDAs like the Ministry of Justice.
Nwokedi noted that RoLAC is collaborating with the State government for the full domestication of FOIA, positioning it as a mechanism to bridge gender gaps, and promote inclusivity.
Hands-on guidance on navigating agency responses was provided by Kokoye Blessing, a FOIA Counsel staffer, who introduced digital tools such as the FOI Advisor app to simplify request processes. "Technology can empower CSOs and media to access public information efficiently, strengthening their role in governance oversight," Blessing noted during her interactive session.
Breakout groups offered practical simulations of real-world FOIA applications in advocacy and investigative reporting, equipping attendees with skills to challenge opacity in public institutions..
As the workshop concluded on Thursday, Aigbokhan reiterated its milestone status in cultivating a culture of proactive citizenship. "This is about transforming how we hold power to account," he said, calling on media houses to integrate FOIA into daily operations for robust, fact-based journalism.
The FOIA Surgery not only amplifies voices in Edo State but also sets a replicable model for Nigeria's broader quest for transparent governance, where informed citizens and vigilant media serve as the bedrock of democracy.
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