MRA Announces Winners of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, a journalist and publisher of BONews Service, and Mr. Remmy Nweke, Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group, as winners in the two categories of the maiden edition of the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards, established to recognize and celebrate journalistic excellence in advancing the right of access to information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.

According to MRA, Ms. Oladunjoye emerged winner in the first category of the Awards, having made the highest number of information requests under the FOI Act between May 28, 2011 and December 31, 2025, while Mr. Nweke won in the second category for making the most outstanding contributions in promoting the Act by raising awareness among citizens, government officials and the media about the Act, and advocating for its effective implementation.

In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, commended the two journalists for their entries and participation in the Awards programme, saying on the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Act into Law, it was fitting to recognize their efforts and contributions, particularly as they have demonstrated professionalism and commitment to public-interest journalism through their work. 

He noted that many journalists and media organizations across the country are using the FOI Act for investigative and accountability journalism by requesting official records and other information, monitoring public spending, exposing corruption, verifying government claims, and producing evidence-based reporting, despite continuing challenges of secrecy, non-compliance, and weak transparency systems among many public institutions.

Mr. Ojo said although many of such journalists did not submit entries for the Awards, he would encourage them and their media organizations to continue utilizing the Act to advance accountability, expose corruption, and promote good governance.

He remarked that, in addition to at least 50 requests for information that she has submitted to public institutions in different parts of the country for her journalistic activities, Ms Oladunjoye has also made significant contributions to the effective implementation of the Act through her relentless litigation aimed at getting various courts to compel defaulting public institutions to comply with their obligations under the Act. He congratulated her for such cases that she has already won in court and wished her luck with the pending cases.

Mr. Ojo praised Mr. Nweke for his FOI Act-related reporting as well as his promotion and defence of the Act through at least 42 media outputs, including 24 news and institutional accountability stories, 11 feature articles touching on tech-governance investigations, in which he has used the Act to probe high-stakes digital issues, including spectrum licensing transparency and cybersecurity funding; and seven commentaries advocating reforms.

He explained that the Awards seek to encourage journalists and other media practitioners to utilize the Act as a tool for investigative reporting, public accountability, anti-corruption efforts, and the promotion of democratic governance, emphasizing that “access to information remains a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development.”

Mr. Ojo stressed that journalists play a critical role in ensuring that citizens are informed about government activities, public expenditure, policies and their implementation, as well as other issues touching upon the security and welfare of citizens, which the Constitution has designated in Section 14 as the primary purpose of Government.

He said: “The FOI Act is a most potent weapon in a journalist's arsenal, but it will only be effective if we constantly wield it. The Act provides media practitioners with an indispensable tool to perform their key constitutional duty of holding the Government accountable to the people. Let us use it relentlessly. While there are many public institutions and officials that continue to undermine the effectiveness of the Act, it is our firm view that the media also has a critical role to play in ensuring that all persons and authorities to which the Act applies fully implement it and comply with its provisions.”

Mr. Ojo noted that the Awards were instituted in honour of former President Goodluck Jonathan in recognition of his courageous act of assenting to the Act on May 28, 2011, by which his Administration established a legal framework guaranteeing the public’s right to access information held by public institutions in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to promoting the effective implementation of the Act and supporting initiatives that strengthen investigative journalism, media freedom, transparency, and democratic accountability in Nigeria.

Mr. Ojo said the winning journalists would be formally honoured at an Awards ceremony to be held later, at which each of them will receive a plaque, a certificate, and a prize.

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