FG Recovers Over ₦83bn Through Whistleblowing Policy
By Patience Ikpeme
From 2017 to 2023, the federal government successfully recovered funds amounting to ₦83,019,178,375.86, $609,083,391.91, and €5,494,734.71 through its whistleblowing policy.
These funds, which would have otherwise been misappropriated, were retrieved as a result of proactive tips from vigilant members of the public.
The disclosure was made during a one-day sensitization workshop on the implementation of the whistleblowing policy in Nigeria, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun highlighted the policy’s success in mobilizing public participation in the fight against corruption, which yielded these substantial recoveries within just a few months of the policy’s introduction.
The whistleblowing policy, introduced by the Federal Government, has proven to be a powerful tool in safeguarding public funds. Within a short span, the policy received a flood of tips via SMS, emails, and phone calls, primarily through the portal established by the Federal Ministry of Finance. These tips led to thorough investigations and subsequent recoveries.
Mr. Edun emphasized the critical role that citizens have played in the policy’s success. “It is a fact that a successful whistleblowing policy involves receiving verifiable reports, conducting thorough investigations to authenticate them, and taking appropriate action to enforce compliance with extant laws,” he stated. The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the policy in full, ensuring that no effort is spared in recovering misappropriated public funds.
In his address, Mr. Edun also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively working towards re-presenting the Whistleblowing Bill to the current National Assembly for legislative action. The Minister called for public support in urging the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Bill into law, which would provide a robust legal framework to support and sustain the whistleblowing policy.
“The move to establish a robust system for reporting and addressing grievances is to ensure that public institutions remain accountable to the populace,” Mr. Edun added.
He assured that the administration values the privacy and protection of every Nigerian, and that the whistleblowing policy is designed to serve the public interest by preserving national resources for development, rather than to serve as a tool for witch-hunting.
A key component of the whistleblowing policy is the protection of whistleblowers from reprisals. Mr. Edun stressed that the government is committed to safeguarding the identities and security of individuals who come forward with valuable information. He stated, “The policy provides a mechanism for this protection, and it is our duty to uphold these provisions and support those who come forward to blow the whistle.”
Despite its successes, the whistleblowing policy has encountered challenges, as highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo. He noted that while there was significant enthusiasm from Nigerians at the policy’s inception, the momentum has waned over time. “The momentum and popularity that heralded its introduction need to be reinforced and sustained,” Mr. Udo said. The workshop aimed to address these challenges by refining strategies to ensure the policy’s effective implementation.
The workshop, designed to deepen understanding of the whistleblowing policy and foster cooperation among key stakeholders, brought together representatives from civil society organizations, the press, and the implementing team. Mr. Udo urged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, sharing their experiences and suggestions for improving the policy’s effectiveness.
The Director of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), Mr. Yusuf Sule, provided additional context to the recoveries, clarifying that the figures mentioned represent only liquid assets. Non-movable properties, vehicles, and other assets are not included in these sums. He confirmed that all recoveries are paid into the Federal Government’s Asset Recovery Account, which is maintained by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Mr. Sule also highlighted the incentive structure for whistleblowers, explaining that individuals who provide verified information are entitled to a percentage of the recovered funds. The reward system is calibrated to offer 5% of recoveries up to ₦1 billion, 4% for recoveries between ₦1 billion and ₦5 billion, and 2% for amounts above ₦5 billion. This incentive is designed to encourage more citizens to participate in the whistleblowing process.
