Nigeria’s whistle blowing policy was introduced in December 2016 as a strategic anti-corruption initiative by the Federal Government, primarily facilitated through the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The policy encourages individuals—whether government employees or members of the public—to report information about fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, and other forms of corruption or theft.
The whistle blowing mechanism is designed to increase transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the management of public resources.
The policy provides a clear procedure for reporting misconduct. Reports can be made through various channels, including a dedicated online portal, telephone hotlines, SMS, and email.
Importantly, the policy allows for anonymous disclosures and assures whistleblowers of confidentiality, provided they do not consent to reveal their identity.
To incentivize reporting, whistleblowers are entitled to a reward of 2.5% to 5% of any recovered funds resulting from their information. This reward system is intended to motivate more people to come forward with credible information.
Despite its impact, Nigeria’s whistle blowing policy does not have the full force of law. While several attempts have been made to pass comprehensive whistleblower protection legislation—including bills in 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2019—none have been enacted due to lack of presidential assent.
As a result, there is no singular, robust legal framework that guarantees protection for whistleblowers.
Existing legal provisions, such as Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (freedom to impart information) and Section 64(1) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Act (protection of whistleblower identity), offer only fragmented and limited safeguards
The whistle blowing policy has yielded tangible results. Within the first two months of its implementation, for instance, the government reportedly recovered over $178 million in stolen funds.
By mid-2017, thousands of tips had been received, leading to further recoveries in naira, dollars, pounds, and euros.
These successes highlight the policy’s potential as a tool for recovering looted assets and deterring financial crimes. The policy also aims to improve Nigeria’s global rankings in open government and ease of doing business, as well as to finance infrastructural projects with recovered funds[1][5][6].
Despite its promise, however, the policy faces significant challenges. The absence of comprehensive legal protection leaves whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation, including job loss, threats, and harassment.
Fear of reprisal remains a major deterrent for potential whistleblowers. The lack of a unified legal framework also means that whistleblowers may not be adequately protected or compensated, and there is a risk of abuse through false reporting.
Institutional weaknesses and a lack of effective enforcement further undermine the policy’s effectiveness.
Recognizing these shortcomings, the Nigerian government has taken steps to strengthen the policy.
A draft bill is being prepared to provide legal backing, ensure confidentiality, and protect whistleblowers from reprisals.
The bill, once enacted, is expected to establish clear procedures for investigation, penalties for obstruction, and remedies for whistleblowers who suffer harm.
It also seeks to empower whistleblowers to seek redress in courts and through the National Human Rights Commission.
However, until such legislation is passed, the whistle blowing framework remains incomplete and largely policy-driven.
Nigeria’s whistle blowing policy represents a significant step in the fight against corruption, offering both economic and social benefits.
However, its effectiveness is hampered by the lack of comprehensive legal protection and institutional support. For the policy to reach its full potential, there is an urgent need for the enactment of a robust whistleblower protection law.
Such legislation would not only safeguard whistleblowers but also foster a culture of transparency and accountability, ultimately strengthening Nigeria’s governance and anti-corruption efforts.