My Name is OluwaSeun Sowunmi, Programs Manager at Tap iNitiative for Citizens Development
It is my honour, on behalf of AFRICMIL, NHRC and Tap iNitiative, to extend a warm reception to all of you —esteemed High Court Judges, legal scholars, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organization, and other partners present here today— I am pleased to welcome you all to this important one day event on the “First National Interactive forum on whistle blowing and whistle-blower protection in Nigeria.
It is a privilege to see so many brilliant minds, dedicated professionals gathered here today, united by a shared passion for the judiciary and whistle blower protection policy in Nigeria. This event has been carefully planned to serve not just as a platform for discussion, but also as a space for collaboration, reflection, learning and growth. Over the course of this meeting, we will have the opportunity to engage with one another, our panellist and exchange ideas, policies and share new perspectives that will no doubt enrich both our personal and professional ideology on the whistle blowing protection policy in Nigeria.
Today’s dialogue will help address several key challenges such as:
- Ensuring anonymity and identity protection for whistle-blowers where needed
- Dealing with false or malicious claims in a way that protects rights on all sides
- Supporting whistle-blowers who suffer retaliation—financial, professional, social
- Speed and efficiency of litigation, so that whistle-blowers are not discouraged by interminable legal delays
It is hoped that through this interactive engagement, we can build momentum towards the swift enactment of the Whistle-blower Protection Bill, improve prosecutorial and investigatory support, and strengthen judicial capacity to handle whistleblowing cases with fairness and integrity.
Your presence here today underscores your commitment to justice and the rule of law. As Federal High Court Judges, you are not simply arbiters of legal claims, but also guardians of public trust. The decisions made either in courts or through policy will ripple beyond individual cases—they will affect how citizens view government, institutions, and their own responsibility to act.
Once again, thank you all for being here. May today’s discussions be insightful, strengthen legal protections, and may they lead to concrete progress for whistle-blowers and whistleblowing in Nigeria.
Allow me to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate our special guests, present here and online, speakers, and partners whose support and contributions have made this gathering possible. Your presence here today is a testament to the importance of the conversations we are about to have. Thank You