February 4, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — Allegations have emerged that the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) may have breached the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by failing to disclose detailed information about constituency project funding, provoking renewed calls for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The controversy centres on a refusal by the office of the Accountant-General a key official responsible for the financial oversight of federal allocations to provide a breakdown of how funds earmarked for constituency projects are disbursed, administered, and monitored. Constituency projects, typically financed through allocations in the federal budget for lawmakers to deliver development initiatives in their districts, have been a recurrent source of debate over transparency and effectiveness.
Under Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act 2011, public institutions are obligated to provide access to records and data “in the custody or under the control” of government agencies, unless a specific exemption applies. However, advocates and civil society groups have accused the AGF’s office of improperly withholding information, which they argue hampers oversight and undermines public confidence in fiscal governance.
A letter from an advocacy coalition that sought clarification from the AGF’s office earlier this year revealed that the request for constituency project details including amounts released, implementing agencies, timelines, and audit outcomes was not fully honoured, with officials reportedly citing internal procedures and classification concerns as grounds for non-disclosure. This, critics say, is inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the FOI Act.
Transparency advocates say that lack of access to constituency project data perpetuates opacity in a system long criticised for weak enforcement of budgetary accountability. They argue that public access to such information is essential for enabling citizens, civil society organisations, and journalists to evaluate whether funds are being used effectively to benefit local communities, as intended in the annual budgetary process.
Proponents of robust FOI implementation note that elsewhere in government, ministries and agencies have periodically been compelled through writs, court orders, or public pressure to release financial records that shed light on budget execution, procurement, and project delivery. They stress that similar compliance should apply to constituency project funding, which is financed from national revenue.
Commenting on the standoff, a spokesperson for the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) emphasised that “the FOI Act exists to strengthen democratic governance, enhance accountability, and reduce opportunities for mismanagement.” The group called on the Accountant-General to respond promptly to information requests and for relevant oversight bodies, including the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, to enforce transparency requirements.
Meanwhile, legal experts explain that while the FOI Act contains specific exemptions such as national security, ongoing prosecution, or commercial confidentiality these must be narrowly interpreted and justified. They warn that blanket refusal to disclose public financial information could be subject to judicial review if challenged in the Federal High Court.
The Accountant-General’s office has not issued a formal response to the public criticism as of this report. However, the episode underscores enduring tensions between public demand for financial transparency and government agencies’ administrative discretion on information disclosure. Civic groups say the outcome could set important precedents for access to government records regarding budget implementation and the management of public funds.
In the coming weeks, pressure from legislators, lawyers, and transparency advocates may compel clarifications or legal action that could shape how Nigeria’s FOI framework is applied to critical aspects of public financial management particularly funds intended for local development under constituency project arrangements.