The judiciary’s dilemma: Protecting Nigeria’s whistleblowers without legislation

September 25, 2025

Nigeria's whistleblower policy, introduced in 2016, offers financial incentives for exposing corruption but fails to provide adequate legal protection for whistleblowers who often face retaliation, including job loss and threats. A national forum organized by the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) brought together Federal High Court judges and civil society advocates to discuss the urgent need for whistleblower protection legislation. Despite multiple attempts to pass comprehensive protection laws, these efforts have stalled in Nigeria's National Assembly, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable despite existing constitutional provisions that could offer some safeguards.

Who is affected

Nigerian whistleblowers who face surveillance, dismissal, and death threats
Yisa Usman, a chartered accountant who lost his job and was ostracized after exposing corruption
Federal High Court judges who are being asked to take a more active role in whistleblower protection
The Nigerian public whose right to transparency and accountability is impacted
Civil society organizations advocating for whistleblower protection

What action is being taken

AFRICMIL is convening national interactive forums with Federal High Court judges to discuss whistleblower protection
Civil society organizations are urging the Nigerian legislature to enact a whistleblower protection law
Whistleblowers and advocates are appealing to judges to embrace a proactive role in safeguarding whistleblowers through progressive adjudication
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is advocating for whistleblower protection as a human rights issue
Organizations are comparing Nigeria's approach with more robust protection frameworks in neighboring countries

Why it matters

Nigeria's current whistleblower policy incentivizes disclosures but leaves whistleblowers legally vulnerable
Without protection, individuals exposing corruption face serious personal and professional consequences
The lack of a unified protection law results in inconsistent application of existing fragmented provisions
Whistleblowing is crucial for exposing systemic corruption and ensuring accountability in public institutions
Effective whistleblower protection is described as "a direct, proactive investment in the enjoyment of fundamental human rights" enshrined in Nigeria's Constitution

What's next

AFRICMIL and partners are urging the Nigerian legislature to enact a comprehensive whistleblower protection law that guarantees anonymity, provides penalties against retaliation, and establishes an independent oversight body
Advocates are calling for judges to implement progressive adjudication that interprets existing laws to better protect whistleblowers
Recommendations include expedited hearings for whistleblower cases and awarding exemplary damages against retaliators

Read full article from source: Global Voices