Tinubu Reactivates Whistleblower Policy, Sends Bill To Nat’l Assembly

Eight years after it suffered legislative setbacks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to re-present Whistleblowers Bill to the National Assembly for an Act.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Wale Edun confirmed the government’s position on Wednesday in Abuja at a one day sensitization workshop on the implementation of Whistleblower policy in Nigeria: issues, challenges and way forward” .

“Its re-presentation to the National Assembly any moment from now, is to give a bite to his administration’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption inline with the government’s renewed hope agenda, he said.

Whistle-blower policy was introduced by the federal government in 2016 to encourage Nigerians with information about violation or corruption to report through a secured online portal designed to conceal identity of the blower.

In 2020, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), chaired by Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman said the committee recovered N594.09 billion in three years through the implementation of the whistle-blowing policy on whistle blowing for Revenue Generating Agencies in Nigeria.

However, the policy encountered numerous challenges which include, absence of legislation to protect informants and lack of enabling law for rewards.

Addressing participants, Edun said the current administration was committed to implement its agenda to the letter , declaring no stone would be left unturned to ensure that a legal framework is put in place to drive the implementation of the policy.

“Towards this end, Mr. President, we will be re-presenting in due course, the whistleblower Bill to the National Assembly for necessary processing, legislative action and we expect that the public will support the quick passage, the prompt and expeditious passage of this all-important bill by the National Assembly”.

“Today’s workshop is not just another event in our calendar, it’s a step in the right direction to equip all of us here, all of us participants with the knowledge and the tools that would help us to identify and report fraudulent practices to relevant authorities. The goal, is to ensure a streamlined and safe channel for addressing concerns and malpractices in the conduct of government’s affairs.

‘This workshop is an indication of our collective commitment to uphold the tenets of good governance, to keep the public abreast of government’s current policies in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola administration”, he said

Edun noted that, the move to establish a robust system for reporting and addressing grievances was to ensure public institutions remain accountable to the populace”

“This will continually be pursued with strict confidence and compliance to the rule of law and all the other aspects of what makes up good governance, best practice, best global procedures.

‘The present administration cherishes the right of privacy and protection of every Nigerian and therefore the whistleblowing policy is not meant to witch haunt anybody. It’s in the interest of the resources of Nigeria for development for the people”, he said.

The minister lamented that the policy in its current state lacks a mechanism for protection of informants, noting , “it’s our duty to uphold these provisions and support those who come forward in the interest of the public.

‘Those who are public-spirited, brave, courageous, committed, and determined to do the right thing must, should, and will be protected” .

In his remark, Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mr. Okonkwo Udo lauded all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria for their unwavering cooperation and commitment towards the implementation of the policy right from its inception.