Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an Act that gives a person, group, association or organisation the right to access information from government agencies, parastatal, Federal Civil Service, among others. th The Act was passed by the Nigerian National Assembly on 24 May, 2011 and th assented as a law by the President on 28 May, 2011. This study seeks to assess the impact of FOIA on democratic consolidation in Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was employed for the study. The data of the study were generated from array of documentary facts drawn from both published and unpublished materials. Questionnaires and reports were the major instruments utilized. ANOVA was used to test the formulated hypotheses of the study. The study found that FOIA has helped to promote accountability, transparency, responsiveness, etc. in governance. The study also found that some contradictions of the sections, non-compliance, and poor culture of keeping record, among others affect the implementation of the Act. The study recommended that the gap in the provision should be filled, effective compliance, adequate training for FOIA desk officers, among others.