By Festus Fifen

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) was again honoured Friday the 10^th of December at the National Freedom of Information Awards organised by the European Union, International Press Centre and Media Right Agenda to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the signing of the FOI Bill into law.

According to a statement by the Head of Press and Protocol Unit in the Commission Daniel Awurum, the commission took the first position and was adjudged the most responsive public institution in the country to have adopted innovative, access-friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public’s right of access to information in Nigeria.

Awurum stated that “at the annual National Awards, NIPC came 2nd position consecutively – in 2019 and 2020 and attained the first position for the first time in 2021, a considerable improvement from its previous ranking of 17th in 2018, and 75th in 2017.”

“The efforts of NIPC’S Management at better governance, proactive compliance and transparency resulted in the materially improved ranking in 2019 and 2020 which was achieved by an internal commitment to continuous improvement without the help of an external consultant.”

Mr Awurum added that the Commission updated its website with a dedicated FOI section and trained all staff on how to handle situations. “This information is updated every quarter and can be accessed at https://nipc.gov.ng/product-category/foi/ NIPC’s Management and staff have continued to work on the proactive disclosure of information, on its financial performance, companies registered under the NIPC Act, Pioneer Status Incentive application processed, procurement, MOUs and contracts” he concluded.