Warning Issued by Federal Government on Disclosing Official Documents

The current administration, led by Tinubu, has cautioned against sharing official documents on social media without authorization, emphasizing that such actions are illegal under Nigerian law.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, relayed the warning during a workshop held in Abuja, jointly organized by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The workshop’s focus was on the theme “Renewing hope and strengthening of national unity through effective communication and the role of the Official Secret Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security.”

During the session, Dr Nnamdi Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, delivered Akume’s speech stressing the importance of preserving confidentiality within government circles.

Akume pointed out that leaking sensitive official documents without authorization is a serious offense and is not defensible under the Nigerian Constitution or the Freedom of Information Act.

Reference was made to Section 97(2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, which prescribes a penalty of up to one year in jail for any public servant who illicitly copies or reveals documents belonging to their employer.

The SGF also mentioned past efforts to prevent the leakage of sensitive information within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He highlighted circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in August 2021 and February 2024 aimed at enhancing document security and ensuring adherence to established protocols.

Akume applauded the BPSR for organizing the workshop, indicating the government’s commitment to sharing accurate and truthful information.

Dr Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau, encouraged participants to familiarize themselves with the Official Secrets Act and effectively relay government policies and initiatives to the public.

Arabi emphasized the vital role of communication managers in MDAs, especially in the ever-evolving information landscape, urging them to lead in disseminating correct information to prevent misinformation and ensure public awareness of government activities and benefits of its programs.

Communication managers were tasked with leveraging traditional and social media platforms to keep the public well-informed about government projects, services, and initiatives.