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 organisation said the awards were instituted to recognise and celebrate journalistic excellence in advancing the right of access to information under Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos, MRA Executive Director, , said Oladunjoye emerged winner in the first category after recording the highest number of information requests made under the FOI Act between May 28, 2011 and December 31, 2025.
According to him, Nweke won the second category for his outstanding contributions toward promoting awareness and implementation of the Act among citizens, public officials and media practitioners.
Ojo commended both journalists for their commitment to public-interest journalism and transparency, noting that the awards coincided with the 15th anniversary of the signing of the FOI Act into law.
He observed that despite persistent challenges of secrecy, non-compliance and weak transparency systems within many public institutions, journalists and media organisations across the country continue to deploy the Act for investigative and accountability journalism.
According to him, journalists are increasingly using the law to obtain official records, monitor public spending, expose corruption, verify government claims and produce evidence-based reports.
While acknowledging that many journalists using the FOI Act did not submit entries for the awards, Ojo urged them to remain committed to using the legislation as a tool for accountability and good governance.
He particularly praised Oladunjoye for combining journalism with strategic litigation aimed at compelling public institutions to comply with the provisions of the Act.
“In addition to at least 50 requests for information submitted to public institutions across the country for her journalistic activities, Ms. Oladunjoye has also made significant contributions to the effective implementation of the Act through relentless litigation,” he said.
Ojo congratulated her on the cases already won in court and wished her success in pending suits.
He also applauded Nweke for his extensive reporting and advocacy around the FOI Act, noting that he had produced at least 42 media outputs related to transparency, accountability and governance.
The outputs, according to Ojo, include 24 accountability and news reports, 11 feature articles focused on technology governance investigations and seven reform-driven commentaries advocating improved implementation of the law.
He noted that Nweke had deployed the Act in probing issues such as spectrum licensing transparency and cybersecurity funding.
“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.
“The Act provides media practitioners with an indispensable tool to perform their constitutional duty of holding government accountable to the people.”
He stressed that access to information remains central to democratic governance and sustainable development, insisting that journalists play a crucial role in keeping citizens informed about government policies, public expenditure and issues affecting national welfare and security.
Ojo explained that the awards were established in honour of former President in recognition of his assent to the FOI Act on May 28, 2011, which created a legal framework guaranteeing citizens’ right to access information held by public institutions.
He reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to supporting investigative journalism, media freedom, transparency and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
According to him, the winners will be formally honoured at a later ceremony where they will receive plaques, certificates and prizes.
