with Maiden Goodluck Jonathan FOI Awards
Oru Leonard
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has announced Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, publisher of BONews Service, and Mr. Remmy Nweke, Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group, as winners of the maiden edition of the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards.
The awards, unveiled on Thursday in Lagos, were instituted to recognize outstanding contributions to the promotion and implementation of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, particularly in the area of investigative journalism, public accountability, and access to information.
According to MRA, Oladunjoye emerged winner in the first category for making the highest number of information requests under the FOI Act between May 28, 2011, and December 31, 2025. Nweke clinched the second category for his exceptional contributions to promoting awareness and effective implementation of the Act among citizens, government institutions, and the media.
In a statement issued by the Executive Director of MRA, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, the organization commended the two journalists for their dedication to public-interest journalism and transparency advocacy.
Ojo said the awards, announced on the 15th anniversary of the signing of the FOI Act into law, were meant to celebrate journalists who have consistently used the legislation as a tool for accountability and democratic governance.
He noted that despite persistent challenges such as official secrecy, non-compliance by public institutions, and weak transparency systems, many journalists and media organizations across Nigeria continue to utilize the FOI Act for investigative reporting, monitoring public spending, exposing corruption, and verifying government claims.
Speaking on Oladunjoye’s contributions, Ojo disclosed that she had submitted at least 50 FOI requests to public institutions across the country and had also pursued several strategic lawsuits aimed at compelling defaulting institutions to comply with the law.
He praised her commitment to transparency and wished her success in pending court cases connected to enforcement of the Act.
On Nweke, Ojo highlighted his extensive FOI-related reporting and advocacy efforts, noting that he had produced at least 42 media outputs promoting transparency and accountability. These include investigative reports, feature articles on tech-governance issues such as spectrum licensing transparency and cybersecurity funding, as well as opinion articles advocating reforms.
“The FOI Act is a most potent weapon in a journalist’s arsenal, but it will only be effective if we constantly wield it,” Ojo stated, urging media practitioners to continue using the law to hold public officials accountable.
He emphasized that access to information remains a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development, stressing that journalists play a constitutional role in ensuring citizens remain informed about government activities, public expenditure, and policy implementation.
Ojo also explained that the awards were instituted in honour of former President Goodluck Jonathan for assenting to the FOI Act on May 28, 2011, thereby establishing a legal framework guaranteeing citizens’ right to access information held by public institutions in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to supporting investigative journalism, media freedom, transparency, and democratic accountability in the country.
The winning journalists are expected to be formally honoured at a later awards ceremony where they will receive plaques, certificates, and prizes.
