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Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, Journalist and Editor of BONews Service, and Mr. Remmy Nweke, Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group, as winners in the two categories of the inaugural edition of the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards, established to recognize and celebrate journalistic excellence in promoting 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 28 May 2011 and 31 December 2025, while Mr Nweke won in the second category for making the most outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Act by raising awareness among citizens, government officials and the media about the Act and advocating for its effective implementation.
MRA Executive Director, Edetaen Ojo, commended the two journalists for their nominations and participation in the awards programme, saying that on the 15th anniversary of the bill being signed into law, it was timely 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 law for investigative and accountability journalism by requesting official documents and other information, monitoring public spending, exposing corruption, verifying government claims and producing evidence-based reporting, despite ongoing challenges of secrecy, non-compliance and weak transparency systems among many public institutions.
Ojo said that while many of these journalists have not submitted nominations for the Awards, he would encourage them and their media organizations to continue to use the law to promote accountability, expose corruption and promote good governance.
He noted that in addition to at least 50 information requests she has made 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 law through her relentless litigation aimed at convincing various courts to compel defaulting public institutions to comply with their obligations under the law. He congratulated her on the cases she has already won in court and wished her good luck with the pending cases.
Mr. Ojo commended Mr. Nweke for his reporting related to the FOI Act, as well as his promotion and advocacy of the Act through at least 42 media outlets, including 24 news and institutional accountability stories, 11 articles touching on investigations into technology governance, in which he used the Act to investigate high-risk digital issues, including spectrum licensing transparency and cybersecurity funding; and seven comments supporting the reforms.
He explained that the awards seek to encourage journalists and other media professionals to use the law as a tool for investigative journalism, public accountability, anti-corruption efforts and the promotion of democratic governance, stressing that “access to information remains a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development.”
Ojo stressed that journalists play a vital role in ensuring that citizens are informed about government activities, government expenditure, policies and their implementation, as well as other matters affecting the safety and well-being of citizens, which the Constitution has designated in Section 14 as the primary purpose of government.
Mr. Ojo noted that the awards were established in honor of former President Goodluck Jonathan in recognition of his courageous act of passing the law of May 28, 2011, by which his administration established a legal framework guaranteeing the right of the public to access information held by public institutions in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to promoting effective implementation of the law and supporting initiatives that strengthen investigative journalism, media freedom, transparency and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
Mr Ojo said the winning journalists will be formally honored at an awards ceremony to be held later, where each of them will receive a plaque, certificate and an award.
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