SERAP Trains Youths On FOI For Enhanced Democratic Engagement

The Social and Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has reaffirmed the importance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act as a crucial tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and active citizenship in Nigeria.

Describing FOI as an underutilized instrument for strengthening democracy, SERAP aims to empower young people to use it effectively to hold the government accountable.

Speaking at a one-day workshop themed “Stand-Up for Human Rights,” held yesterday in Abuja, SERAP’s legal advisor, Andrew Nwankwo, highlighted FOI’s role in enhancing democratic engagement.

“FOI is one aspect of democracy that we consider to be underutilised,” he stated.

“We believe democracy is all about asking questions, making demands, and holding the government accountable. This can only be achieved by equipping people, especially young people, with the skills and knowledge to use FOI requests effectively.

“Our goal is to encourage youth to make informed demands of the government, ensuring transparency on matters citizens are entitled to know,” he said.

Nwankwo noted that the workshop focused on training young participants to question government actions and inactions, underscoring the importance of making informed demands to foster better governance.

“By training these young minds, we are empowering them to go beyond mere questioning and actively seek information that will contribute to national growth,” he added.

He said the organization hopes that as more citizens exercise their FOI rights, it will create a ripple effect, holding public officials to higher standards of transparency and responsibility.

On her part, the programme officer and SAC coordinator, Folashade Arigbabu, also highlighted the importance of this initiative, which was established in 2021 as a platform to equip students with the tools, knowledge, and confidence necessary to advocate for transparency, accountability, and good governance.

She stated that SAC currently has 12 chapters across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and over 2,000 active volunteers from more than 110 universities nationwide.

“The club’s mission is to develop Nigeria’s future leaders by instilling in them the skills and dedication required to champion transparency and accountability,” she said.

“The idea behind SAC was to create a platform where students could learn and engage meaningfully with issues surrounding governance, freedom of expression, and access to information. Today’s session is a practical workshop on drafting Freedom of Information requests, empowering students with actionable skills,” she added.

Arigbabu explained that SAC organises campaigns and training sessions three times annually, bringing together members from its diverse chapters.

She further said beyond workshops, SAC has intervened in various university-related issues. Recently, SAC swiftly resolved a case at the University of Jos, where a final-year medical student was reportedly unjustly barred from exams.

She stressed that such cases highlight SAC’s commitment to addressing student concerns and fostering accountability across campuses.

“SAC is open to passionate Nigerian students who want to learn how to effectively engage in governance and advocacy beyond mere online expressions. This commitment to empowering young Nigerians is an investment in the nation’s future leaders,” she said.