Stakeholders Push for Overhaul of Secrecy Laws Blocking Defence Transparency
Civil society groups and security stakeholders have urged the urgent review of secrecy laws that obstruct transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s defence and security sector.
The demand was made at the end of a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue in Enugu, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in collaboration with Transparency International’s Defence and Security Programme, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The forum, themed “Addressing Contradictory Provisions in the Freedom of Information Act and Official Secrets Act in Defence/Security Information Disclosure,” examined legal conflicts that restrict access to information in the sector.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said the engagement was designed to strengthen civil society’s capacity to demand accountability and ensure efficiency in the defence and security establishment.
Participants identified outdated laws, excessive secrecy, deliberate information blockages, and poor public awareness of citizens’ rights as key challenges to transparency. They also noted that over-classification of documents and bureaucratic bottlenecks fuel corruption and weaken external oversight.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders recommended the harmonisation of the Freedom of Information Act, Official Secrets Act, and Public Procurement Act to reflect global standards. They also called for a clear distinction between classified and non-classified information, the establishment of a centralised portal for proactive disclosure, and stronger accountability mechanisms within defence institutions.
Other recommendations included enhancing the powers of the Auditor-General of the Federation to review defence finances and procurement, promoting civil-military trust, and safeguarding citizens who seek information.
Stakeholders agreed that reforming secrecy laws is essential to building public trust and ensuring greater accountability in Nigeria’s defence and security system.