Nigeria Needs Whistleblower Law, Not Just Policy – Judges, Rights Groups, Anti-Corruption Advocates
Nigeria Needs Whistleblower Law, Not Just Policy – Judges, Rights Groups, Anti-Corruption Advocates
Judges of the Federal High Court, alongside human rights and anti-corruption advocates, have renewed calls for the immediate passage of the long-pending Whistleblower Protection Bill into law, stressing that Nigeria needs a strong legal framework, not just a policy, to safeguard whistleblowers.
They made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during the first National Interactive Forum on Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection, organized specifically for Federal High Court judges.
Participants at the forum expressed concern that the current whistleblower policy, introduced in 2016, has been insufficient in protecting individuals who risk their lives and careers to expose corruption and other forms of wrongdoing.
They noted that without legal backing, whistleblowers remain vulnerable to retaliation, job loss, harassment, and even physical threats.
One of the judges remarked that a whistleblower protection law would not only encourage more Nigerians to come forward with credible information but also strengthen the country’s anti-corruption drive. Rights groups and civil society representatives at the event also emphasized that the bill, if passed, would align Nigeria with global best practices and fulfill its commitments under international anti-corruption treaties.
The forum further highlighted the judiciary’s critical role in interpreting and enforcing whistleblower protections once enshrined in law. Experts at the meeting urged the National Assembly to expedite work on the bill, describing it as a vital tool to deepen accountability, enhance transparency, and rebuild public trust in governance.
