OPINION: The growing cost of impunity to Nigeria’s reputation

Nigeria's international standing is influenced by its institutions and the consequences when powerful individuals are accused of serious crimes. Persistent unresolved controversies have repercussions beyond the country's borders. The National Human Rights Commission recently demanded the suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi due to a viral video linking him to discriminatory remarks, stating it constituted a license to commit violence. However, allegations of political violence should not be allowed to fade after brief public outcry.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused members of parliament and civil servants of misusing committee funds and conspiring to control legislative processes. Additionally, claims have emerged that MPs pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to introduce bills, motions and petitions in the National Assembly. Civil-society organizations, such as SERAP, BudgIT, CISLAC, Yiaga Africa, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Connected Development, human-rights groups and investigative newsrooms, have been vocal in demanding answers.

SERAP even requested the EFCC and ICPC to investigate ₦6.3 billion in constituency-project funds, alleging payments to private accounts, procurement irregularities, unrecorded spending, and projects that were abandoned or not executed.

Despite civil society's efforts to expose problems, they often fail to see the necessary consequences. SERAP demanded the identification of contractors and beneficial owners who allegedly received public funds without delivering the projects, demanding the recovery of any misappropriated funds. They threatened legal action if no action was taken.

This pattern is familiar in Nigeria: audits, civil society demands, petitions, lawsuits, and long delays before a definitive outcome. The same issue arises when Nigerians try to obtain information from their government. The Freedom of Information Act aimed to increase government openness, but citizens still encounter delays, refusals, and bureaucracy when applying for accessible records.

When citizens must make an FOI request to learn about the results of an investigation into a well-known death, it further demonstrates the limited effectiveness of the transparency law. Similarly, Nigeria's FOI system contrasts with the rights available to powerful Nigerians abroad, such as President Bola Tinubu, who seeks the protections provided by the American Freedom of Information Act in a U.S. legal dispute over the release of law-enforcement records.

This disparity between citizens and influential individuals underscores the need for stronger institutions and reliable transparency mechanisms in Nigeria.