Nigeria’s whistleblower policy requires a stronger legislative framework to become an effective tool in the fight against corruption, analysts have said, noting that the current policy lacks legal backing despite being in operation since 2016.
The whistleblower policy, introduced by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, remains an administrative measure as Nigeria is yet to enact a comprehensive whistleblower protection law. Although several bills have been introduced over the years, none has been signed into law.
The latest legislative effort gained momentum in July 2026 when the Senate passed the second reading of a bill to repeal and re-enact the Public Complaints Commission Act. Sponsored by Senator Neda Imasuen, the bill proposes a Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Framework covering both the public and private sectors. However, it is yet to be enacted.
Lead Advisor at AMETHYST and ASHLAR Advisory, Adegboyega Adebajo, said Nigeria should enact a dedicated Whistleblower Protection Act with explicit anti-retaliation provisions, guaranteed anonymity and enforceable remedies, including reinstatement, compensation and damages for victims of retaliation.
He also recommended establishing an independent whistleblower office or granting the Public Complaints Commission statutory independence to receive reports, coordinate protection, provide legal support and monitor cases. According to him, the government should improve transparency by publishing anonymised data on reports received, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and cases of retaliation.
Economist Aliyu Audu said the whistleblower policy has fallen short of expectations because many whistleblowers have suffered victimisation after exposing wrongdoing.
‘The policy was designed to encourage people to report corruption, but people are discouraged when whistleblowers become victims of the information they disclose,’ he said.
Audu called for stronger legal protections, effective prosecution of offenders and incentives for whistleblowers, arguing that a law-backed framework would improve accountability across sectors such as oil, power and healthcare.
He noted that countries such as Singapore and China have strengthened governance through strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws and urged Nigeria to adopt a similar approach.
Civil society advocate Ageneboye Victor said corruption remains widespread in both the public and private sectors, suggesting that the whistleblower policy has not significantly reduced the problem.
Policy analyst Hamman Bello Barkindo, however, argued that legislation alone would not solve the problem.
According to him, the real challenge is implementation and leadership.
‘We already know what is right and wrong. The problem is not the absence of policies but the failure to implement them. Leaders must provide effective governance and ensure the government truly serves the people,’ he said.