The Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) gives every Nigerian citizen the right to access public records. But one of the most common questions is: What is FOI ACT? See Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act Explained – What it is and Why It Matters What exactly can you request under the FOI Act?
The answer is simple but powerful: You can request any record or information held by a public institution unless it’s protected for reasons like national security or personal privacy.
In this guide, you’ll learn the types of documents, data, and records you can access legally through the FOI Act.
What You Can Request Under the FOI Act
The FOI Act allows you to request any information stored or generated by public institutions, whether it is in:
- Written form,
- Digital files,
- Audio, video, or photographic formats, or
- Physical reports and archives.
Here are the most common categories:
Government Budgets & Financial Records
You have the right to request:
- Annual and supplementary budgets,
- Approved government spending plans,
- Public procurement contracts,
- Expenditure reports and financial statements,
- Audit reports.
This ensures public funds are being used as intended and not mismanaged.
Policy Documents and Decision Records
Transparency in governance also includes knowing the “why” behind decisions. You can request:
- Minutes of meetings,
- Policy memos,
- Cabinet decisions that affect the public,
- Planning documents for major infrastructure projects.
This helps citizens and journalists understand both government actions and motivations.
Licensing, Permits, and Regulatory Information
The FOI Act gives you the right to check how licenses or permits are granted, especially when public resources or environmental impact is involved.
Examples include:
- Oil and gas exploration licenses,
- Mining permits,
- Telecom spectrum allocations,
- Environmental compliance certificates.
Environmental and Public Health Data
If government agencies are monitoring pollution, disease outbreaks, or climate issues, the FOI Act empowers you to request:
- Environmental impact assessments,
- Public health safety reports,
- Water and air quality data,
- Hazard warnings and disaster readiness plans.
Public Project Status and Progress Reports
You can request information about:
- Roads and infrastructure project timelines,
- Contract terms and contractors’ names,
- Monitoring and evaluation reports,
- Completion certificates and handover documents.
This prevents abandoned or “ghost” projects and helps track accountability.
Employment and Staff Information (Non-Personal)
You may request non-confidential information such as:
- Staff recruitment processes,
- Names of public office holders,
- Salary structures for public roles,
- Organizational charts of public institutions.
Note: Personal privacy laws still protect sensitive individual information.
What You Cannot Request
While the FOI Act promotes transparency, it also protects:
- National security information,
- Personal and confidential data,
- Commercially sensitive data held by public-private partnerships,
- Information that could harm law enforcement investigations.
When a request is denied, the agency must state the legal reason for refusal.
Conclusion: Information is a Public Resource
The Freedom of Information Act makes it clear: if the government holds the information, you can access it — unless it’s classified for a valid reason.
This right helps Nigerians stay informed, hold officials accountable, and participate meaningfully in democracy.
If you’ve ever wondered about how public money is spent or who is behind a government contract, the FOI Act empowers you to find out.
