Lukman Abdulmalik
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in partnership with the Transparency International Defence and Security Project and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, has raised concerns over the lack of transparency and conflicting legal frameworks governing Nigeria’s defence and security sector.
At a stakeholder dialogue held on Wednesday at Porto Golf Hotel, Kano, the organisation highlighted contradictions between the Freedom of Information Act and the Official Secrets Act, which continue to hinder public access to critical information.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation’s Program Manager for Defence and Security, Abubakar Jimoh, stressed the need to clearly define key terms such as national security, public safety, and public interest within legal frameworks to avoid misuse and blanket classification of defence-related information.
Jimoh warned that unrestrained secrecy, especially in defence procurement and budgeting—often used to fund commercial ventures, schools, and hospitals—undermines accountability and poses a threat to Nigeria’s Government Defence Integrity (GDI) rating.
He emphasized that access to such information is critical not just for national oversight bodies like the National Assembly and National Human Rights Commission, but also for civil society and the media.
In his paper presentation titled “Navigating Contradictory Legal Provisions for Enhanced Transparency and Accountability of the Defence and Security Sector”, Jimoh underscored that access to information is a vital tool for combating corruption, strengthening institutions, and fostering public trust in governance.
The event featured group discussions and presentations, with participants proposing indigenous solutions to address legal contradictions and promote transparency in the sector.
CISLAC reaffirmed its continued commitment to engaging both state and non-state actors in its advocacy for improved governance and accountability in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.
