Improve Disadvantaged Groups' Ability to use Freedom of Information Act (NG0037)

Brief Description of Commitment: This commitment seeks to enlighten various segments of society about the existence of the FOIA, how to use it to seek information from public institutions and ensure that the disadvantaged members of society are also able to take advantage of it.

General Problem / Challenge Addressed by the Commitment: 1. Low awareness, skills, and knowledge of the FOIA provisions and processes by the public 2.Lack of knowledge of the benefits of the Act by the disadvantaged groups 3.Lack of public engagement on the Act by the public 4.Lack of awareness of available public institutions FOI Portals 5.Lack of awareness of the oversight role of the AGF in implementing the FOIA 6. Lack of Knowledge of E- approach to access public records and information.

Specific OGP Issue(s) in Focus: 1.Public participation in governance through the utilization of FOIA 2.Lack of transparency and accountability in government affairs and activities

Rationale for the Commitment: There is currently low compliance with this provision of the FOI Act by public institutions, thus, disempowering the public and affecting public trust in government.

Main Objective: To promote and actualize the right of persons to request and receive information about how they are governed and how their country's resources are utilized.

Anticipated Impact: Improved public awareness of the provisions of the FOI Act

Expected Outcomes | Milestones (Performance Indicators)

1. The people are more empowered to engage with government and make informed decisions about their lives, especially as it relates to the quality of services delivered by government. | Percentage change in FOIA requests attended to by Public Institutions

2. Members of the public having greater access to information and subsequently reduce waste of public resources and corrupt practices. | Satisfaction level of the public on FOIA implementation by public institutions

Planned Activities (Start Date - End Date | Expected Output(s) | Output Indicator(s))

1. Identification of and Advocacy visits to members of the various Stakeholder groups. (January 2023 - December 2024 | Creation of a database for various stakeholders' groups. | 1. Number of stakeholders in the database. 2. Number of contacts Units/ Offices created. 3. Number of advocacy visits made to heads of public institutions on their FOIA implementation, proactive disclosures, and annual reporting obligations. 4. Number of Public Institutions that have EFOI Portals.)

2. Building the capacity of Public Institutions on FOIA implementation in public institutions (January 2023 - December 2024 | Curbing legal actions against public institutions due to non-disclosure of FOIA requests by Stakeholders.)

3. Conduct Baseline study to determine the overall usage of the Act and the level of usage by the various Stakeholders groups. (January 2023 - December 2024 | Increased compliance in the use of the FOIA by identified stakeholder groups | Baseline study report on the FOIA use by public institutions produced.)

4. Carry out Sensitization in various media platforms on the existence of the FOIA and its application (January 2023 - December 2024 | Increased engagement on the existence and advantages of the provisions of the Act | 1. Number of sensitizations on the FOIA carried out 2. Number of Media platforms carrying out FOIA related sensitizations)

5. Dissemination of Freedom of information Act user guide for the public (January 2023 - December 2024 | Increased understanding of the FOIA by the public | 1.Number of FOIA user guides disseminated for the public 2. Copies of FOIA User guides disseminated to the public)

6. Establish FOI portals in public institutions and its linkage to private media sites. (January 2023 - December 2024 | Enhance Public awareness of the existence of E-FOI portals. | 1. Number of public institutions with FOIA portals 2. Number of FOIA portals linked to private media sites)

7. Engagement with media professional bodies and media house on the FOI Act (January 2023 | Promote public awareness on the FOI Act through media engagement | Number of engagements held on FOIA with media bodies.)

Source(s) of Funding: Federal Government Budget and Donor Agencies