By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the Abia State Government, demanding clarity and accountability on the ₦54 billion education fund reportedly earmarked for the retrofitting of 61 public schools across the state.
In a formal request sent to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, FENRAD noted that despite Governor Alex Otti’s public declaration that ₦14.43 billion had already been spent, no breakdown of the expenditure has been made available.
The civil society organization emphasized that it had earlier submitted a similar request on February 12, 2025, which is yet to receive a response from the government.
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD, said the action was necessary to uphold transparency in education financing. “We are invoking the FOI Act as a lawful instrument to promote transparency and public accountability in the management of funds earmarked for education — a critical sector for the future of our youth,” he stated.
FENRAD is specifically requesting:
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A detailed breakdown of the ₦14.43 billion already spent, including school locations, contractors, project scopes, and progress status.
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A certified list of the 61 schools selected for retrofitting, with criteria used for their selection.
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Copies of procurement documents, contracts, and financial instruments tied to the projects.
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A full project implementation timeline and completion schedule.
The group stressed that the FOI request is not an indictment of the government but a civic measure to encourage participatory governance and ensure service delivery. FENRAD further called on the state government to respond within the seven-day statutory period provided by law.
“We are committed to supporting the government in achieving its developmental goals, but that support must go hand-in-hand with openness and responsiveness to the people,” Comrade Nwafor added.
Newspot Nigeria reports that the organization urged the Abia State Government to view transparency as an integral part of democratic governance.
FULL STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FENRAD Nigeria Files FOI Request on N54 Billion Education Fund in Abia State and breakdown of the 14: 43 billion recent public statements by the Executive Governor of Abia state of the spending of the Funds
Umuahia, August 28, 2025 — The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has officially submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Abia State, seeking full disclosure and clarity on the ₦54 billion education fund reportedly allocated for the retrofitting of 61 public schools across the state.
This is a reminder of a earlier request sent on 12th February 2025 which hasn’t been responded by the Government. This move follows recent public statements by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, indicating that ₦14.43 billion has already been spent from the fund. However, no detailed breakdown of the expenditure has been made available to the public.
“We are invoking the FOI Act as a lawful instrument to promote transparency and public accountability in the management of funds earmarked for education — a critical sector for the future of our youth,” said Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD Nigeria.
In the request, FENRAD demands:
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A detailed breakdown of the ₦14.43 billion already spent, including school locations, project scopes, contractors involved, and current project statuses.
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A certified list of the 61 schools selected for retrofitting and the selection criteria.
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Copies of procurement documents, contracts, MoUs, and financial instruments associated with the fund.
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A project implementation timeline and projected completion dates.
FENRAD stresses that public funds must be accounted for transparently, especially in sectors like education that directly impact social development and equity. The organization notes that this FOI request is not an indictment but a proactive civic action to ensure participatory governance and improved service delivery.
“We are committed to supporting the government in achieving its developmental goals, but that support must go hand-in-hand with openness and responsiveness to the people,” Comrade Nwafor added.
The organization expects a formal response within the seven-day window as mandated by the FOI Act, and urges the Abia State Government to embrace accountability as a pillar of democratic governance.
For media inquiries, contact:
FENRAD Media Desk
📧 [email protected]
📞 08033383708
🌐 www.fenrad.org.ng
#Accountability #EducationFunds #AbiaState #FOIRequest #FENRADNigeria #OpenGovernment #GoodGovernance
Below is the full text of the FOI request submitted by FENRAD Nigeria to the Abia State Government for public record:
