The Federal Government has recovered over ₦83 billion, $609 million, and 5.4 million euros in assets between 2017 and 2023, thanks to the Whistleblowing Policy introduced by the Buhari administration. These recoveries, lodged in the Central Bank of Nigeria, underscore the success of this initiative in uncovering financial malpractices and reclaiming public funds.
Yusuf Sule, Director of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), highlighted these achievements during a workshop in Abuja. Despite the progress, Sule noted several challenges, including low public participation and the absence of a legal framework. However, the policy has empowered citizens to report corruption, leading to significant asset recoveries, like the 2017 Osborne Towers case.
Minister of Finance Wale Edun reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting whistleblowers and ensuring accountability in public institutions. He emphasized that the policy is a tool for safeguarding Nigeria’s resources, not for witch-hunting. Edun also mentioned ongoing efforts to re-present the Whistleblowing Bill to the National Assembly to strengthen the policy’s impact.