Do you ever question the value of attending conferences? I used to, but the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference changed my view entirely. With over 2,000 lawyers in attendance, The conference served as a key platform for the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) to achieve a major milestone, successfully recruiting over 300 new pro bono lawyers into its network.
A Triumph for Pro Bono Legal Support
Pro bono legal services are vital for ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access justice. Understanding this crucial need, PPDC has been dedicated to expanding its network of pro bono lawyers to support underserved communities. The NBA Conference 2024 provided an invaluable opportunity to advance this mission, and the results were exceptional.
Throughout the conference, PPDC engaged with a diverse array of legal professionals. Through dynamic presentations, interactive workshops, and personal discussions, PPDC highlighted the importance of pro bono work in promoting justice and equity. The response was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating a strong commitment from the legal community to contribute to this vital cause.
Key Achievements at the Conference
Increased Visibility and Awareness: PPDC’s presence at the NBA Conference significantly raised awareness about the need for pro bono legal services. By sharing success stories and showcasing the impact of their work, PPDC effectively communicated the value of joining their network.
Engagement and Recruitment: The conference allowed PPDC to engage directly with prospective pro bono lawyers. Through targeted presentations and personal interactions, they successfully recruited over 300 new members to their Pro Bono Lawyers Network. This expansion significantly boosts their capacity to provide free legal assistance to those in need.
Strengthened Partnerships: The event also provided a platform for forging new partnerships and reinforcing existing ones. PPDC’s collaborations with other legal entities and organizations at the conference have set the stage for future joint initiatives and enhanced resources for pro bono work.
Enhanced Training Opportunities: The conference enabled PPDC to introduce comprehensive training programs for pro bono lawyers, ensuring that new recruits are well-prepared to offer effective legal support.
Looking Ahead
The addition of over 300 pro bono lawyers to PPDC’s network represents a significant advancement in PPDCs mission to improve access to justice across Nigeria. With this expanded network, PPDC is well-positioned to address a wider range of legal issues and reach more individuals in need of support.
Conclusion
The NBA Conference 2024 has proven to be a milestone event for PPDC, demonstrating the powerful impact of collective action in advancing pro bono legal services. With over 300 new pro bono lawyers located in various states in Nigeria joining their network, PPDC is now better equipped than ever to make a meaningful difference in the pursuit of justice. As we move forward, the dedication and enthusiasm of these legal professionals will be crucial in shaping a more just and equitable society for all.
Nigeria’s democracy depends on transparency and accountability to thrive. And without accessible information, how do we even begin to hold anyone accountable?
Access to information, by all, is a fundamental human right, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (article 19), highlighted some of these rights as – “the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers”. However, the journey to freedom of information in Nigeria has faced challenges. The initial attempt to introduce the bill in 1999 was met with resistance primarily from those who feared that such transparency could expose corruption and inefficiencies (morehereandhere). Despite the setbacks and rejections, advocates of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act remained persistent, underscoring the importance of an informed citizenry in holding government officials accountable. The passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Nigeria in 2011 marked a significant milestone in the realm of transparency and accountability. The FOI Act reinforces the principle that transparency is essential for good governance and, empowering citizens to hold public institutions accountable by “guaranteeing access to information” (Section 1).
Despite all the progress in promoting transparency and accountability, the FOI Act has not fully realized its potential and even though the Act is intended to empower citizens by providing them with the legal means to access information, its effectiveness has been hampered. Issues remain about the FOIA’s usefulness and how it may be improved to produce a more informed and involved populace – and more importantly, are the citizens taking advantage of this, to make a difference?
The FOIA Making a Difference
The FOI Act adequately equips Nigerians to get information from public institutions, and this proves a step in the right direction. It has also empowered Nigerians to take institutions to court, for breach of disclosure. A few examples are highlighted below:
Several cases by the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC) – link
In other incidences, a group called SERAP used the FOIA to fight the Government to reveal details about money recovered from the Abacha loot, by the previous administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Buhari amounting to $5 billion, securing a court order for the disclosure. This is a major achievement for holding the government accountable. (reference)
A court decision, (in Martins Alo case) strengthened the FOIA by requiring all states to follow its rules.
The FOIA is a great step forward, but alas, there are still challenges and room for improvement;
The reluctance of some government offices to comply with FOIA requests points to a bigger issue of institutional barriers. It has been seen that these government offices deliberately withhold information from people about the FOIA or pose difficulty for people to get information. This can be demonstrated by an experience of PPDC which was encountered when MDAs refuse to accept FOI request letters or create barriers, they are effectively shielding themselves from scrutiny, which contradicts the purpose of the FOIA. Another example can be seen when a PPDC staff was deliberately delayed for the whole day and was not attended to. This underscores the hostile environment that can exist for those attempting to exercise their rights.
Another issue is that a lot of Nigerians don’t know much about the FOIA. The lack of awareness is a significant impediment to its effectiveness and if people don’t know that they have the right to access information, they won’t use it. The existence of other laws that clash with the FOIA, such as the Oath of Secrecy, creates confusion and can be used as an excuse to deny requests. This can make it difficult to know what information should be released – Like the Oath of Secrecy, for example.
Enter PPDC: Helping Nigerians Use the FOIA
At the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), we advance transparency and accountability by providing support to Nigerians on how to effectively use the FOI Act. We do this in ways:
Educate stakeholders about their right to information and the FOIA.
Guide stakeholders on how to make effective requests from the government (FOI Request letter).
Advocate for stronger implementation.
Engage in the annual FOI ranking exercise, in partnership with other organisations like the MRA, R2K, BudgIt, ICIR, and Accountability Lab, to rank MDAs according to their level of disclosure and proactiveness to the FOI Act.
PPDC doesn’t just enlighten people on the FOIA and how to use it, we have also developed some technological solutions to simplify processes for citizens. PPDC helps to bridge the gap between the legal framework provided by the FOIA and its practical application, making it a more effective tool for civic engagement and government accountability in Nigeria.
Budeshi: This is a website that tracks how well government agencies follow FOIA rules when it comes to public spending. It was built, using a global standard called the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and shows how much information each agency releases, so people can easily track, analyze, and/or compare them. This is a great way to hold the government accountable for how they spend our public money.
Budeshi‘s success has inspired other countries in Africa to create similar tools. For example, the African Freedom of Information Centre supported the development of the Open Data dashboard in Uganda, which works in the same way, with PPDC as part of the working group, (more reference here) making public spending information more accessible to everyone.
FOI Ranking: PPDC currently leads the performance of the FOI which is done by measuring how well government agencies follow the FOI Act and disclose information proactively, and on request by stakeholders.
Every year, we, the PPDC alongside a cohort consisting of The ICIR, BudgIT Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda, Right To Know Nigeria, and Accountability Lab Nigeria, release a “report card” called the FOI Ranking and deploy the website for the ranking. This ranking reviews over 200 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to see how well they are performing. We consider factors like how quickly they respond to FOI requests if they proactively share information on their websites, and how much information they give out when asked for.
By providing these tools mentioned, and fighting for stronger FOI implementation, the PPDC is empowering Nigerians to be informed citizens and hold their government accountable. We use the FOI Ranking to not only hold MDAs accountable but also to encourage them to share information more openly. After all, as Gloria Ahmed, National Coordinator of Open Government Partnership, says – access to information is a “critical tool to help the government succeed”
Final words – A Call to Action
The Power of Informed Citizens can not be over-emphasized in the journey toward a free, transparent, and accountable government. The Freedom of Information Act is a powerful tool to have in the arsenal, for encouraging transparency and accountability in government. Its effectiveness heavily relies on active citizen participation. We must all educate ourselves about our right to information and leverage the Act, to hold public institutions accountable.
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) plays a crucial role in empowering citizens by offering valuable guidance and support to make the FOI request process more accessible. The PPDC believes that through informed participation and collaboration with CSOs, true and complete access to information can be achieved in Nigeria.
Abuja, Nigeria – July 2024 – The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) convened a pivotal Civil Society Town Hall meeting to comprehensively assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which began in May 2023. This initiative aimed to align evidence-based analyses across various sectors, highlighting key activities, focus areas, and anticipated outcomes in collaboration with stakeholders.
President Tinubu’s administration had prioritized economic revitalization, security enhancements, and infrastructure development as central pillars of its agenda. Initiatives to combat corruption, attract foreign investment, and spur job creation through economic reforms underscore the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and stability. Furthermore, efforts focused on bolstering national security, improving education and healthcare systems, and advancing digital infrastructure to address contemporary challenges.
The PPDC’s Civil Society Town Hall provided a platform to consolidate diverse perspectives from Nigerian citizens, civil society organizations, government officials, donors/partners, and the media. During the session, the scorecard from Invictus Africa, indicated a 20% measure in improving educational access under this administration. joint recommendations based on findings were crafted into a unified report aimed at guiding future policy discourse.
“We believed that a focused and inclusive dialogue reflecting the voices of the Nigerian people was critical for promoting transparency, good governance, and sustainable development,” said Lucy Abagi, speaking on behalf of PPDC CEO Jubril Shittu. “Our assessment aimed to facilitate informed decision-making and enhance accountability, paving the way towards inclusive growth and democratic practices.”
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Munachi Okoro Head of Communications and Knowledge Management Public and Private Development Centre
About PPDC: The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement processes across Nigeria. Through advocacy and capacity building, PPDC empowers citizens and stakeholders to engage in governance and policy reform actively.
PPDC SHAPES THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE AT ITS MAIDEN MEDIA CONVENING
Abuja, Nigeria— June 20th, 2024— The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) hosted a maiden media convening in Abuja, bringing together influential voices from the media to address pressing issues affecting journalism and media freedom in Nigeria.
The theme of the event was “Exploring Critical Issues and Fostering Collaboration in the Media Landscape” According to Munachi Okoro, Head of Communications and Knowledgement PPDC, The convening served as an opportunity for a discourse on some of the ways the PPDC can collaborate, forge and straighten our partnership with the media in a way to promote PPDCs programs areas which are beneficial for citizens. It also addressed recent challenges, including the alarming increase in arrests and intimidation of journalists.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Unwavering in the Face of Censorship: The power of Resilient Reporting,” which highlighted the challenges journalists face and strategies to uphold journalistic integrity despite censorship pressures.
The panel included distinguished speakers who shared their experiences and insights on navigating hostile environments to report truthfully. The discussions emphasized the crucial role of media organizations in safeguarding journalists and fostering a climate of transparency and accountability within the industry.
“In today’s Nigeria, the media’s role in promoting transparency and accountability is more critical than ever,” stated Jubril Shittu, CEO of PPDC. “Events like this underscore our commitment to empowering journalists and defending media freedom globally.”
He continued by stating the PPDC stands in solidarity with journalists and media organizations facing threats and censorship” adding that it is imperative for the Nigerian government to uphold press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists who risk their lives to uncover the truth.”
PPDC’s ongoing initiatives focus on leveraging technology and citizen engagement to promote transparency, accountability, and civic participation in governance. The PPDC constantly advocates for policy reforms and collaborate with civil society, media, and government stakeholders to foster a more open and just society.
About PPDC
Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non-governmental organization and social enterprise driven by the desire to have a more transparent and accountable government and to increase citizens’ participation in governance processes. Our programs are designed to promote values and initiatives that drive institutional, behavioral, and systemic change in our society. More information on Public and Private Development Centre can be found at www.ppdc.org
Abuja, Nigeria – March 2024 – The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) spearheaded a pivotal Access to Justice Consortium Strategy Meeting. This gathering marked a significant step towards a more just future for Nigerians and Africans alike. The consortium, a collaborative effort by PPDC, Citizen Gavel, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre (Law Hub), and Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), aims to achieve an African Society with equal access to justice for all.
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has been committed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance through various initiatives. PPDC’s Access to Justice program emphasizes the use of technology that can support the transformation of systems, processes and strategic procedural reform initiatives that address the inherent and systematic delays in the administration of civil proceedings and criminal justice.
The Access to Justice Consortium recognizes that collaboration is key. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the consortium fosters a comprehensive approach to tackle access to justice challenges. This collaborative effort will lead to the development of sustainable solutions that create a more efficient, equitable, and accessible justice system. The consortium welcomes new members across Africa to join its movement. With a united front, the consortium aims to dismantle barriers to justice not just in Nigeria, but across the African continent.
About PPDC The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non-governmental organization and social enterprise dedicated to fostering transparent and accountable governance while increasing citizens’ participation in governance processes. PPDC’s programs are designed to promote values and initiatives that drive institutional, behavioral, and systemic change in society. For more information, please visit www.ppdc.org.
Signed Munachi Okoro Head of Communication and Knowledge Management Public and Private Development Centre