Whistleblower Policy Collapsed Without Legal Backing – Adeosun

Former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has expressed regret over failing to give legal backing to Nigeria’s whistleblower policy, admitting the oversight contributed to its eventual decline.

Speaking at a policy dialogue in Lagos organised by the Citadel School of Government, Adeosun said the anti-corruption initiative, introduced in 2016 under Muhammadu Buhari, lacked the institutional framework needed for sustainability.

According to her, policies without legal backing are easily abandoned by subsequent administrations, stressing that durable reforms must be rooted in law.

Adeosun noted that reform-driven leaders often face resistance and must combine resilience with inclusiveness to succeed. She added that corruption is a global issue, but Nigeria can tackle it by strengthening institutions.

Host of the event, Tunde Bakare, praised Adeosun’s service, describing her as resilient despite challenges during her time in office.

The dialogue series, organisers said, aims to provide insights from former public officials to guide current and aspiring leaders on governance and reforms.