The Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has threatened to sanction civil servants who leak classified government documents to the public. The latest threat is contained in a memo dated February 19, 2024, and uploaded on the website of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
Lately in the country, especially since the last administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the leakage of sensitive government documents to the public has been on the increase.
Only recently, a memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume revealed plans to allocate the sum of N500million as allowances to members of the tripartite committee on minimum wage set up by the Federal Government became instrument in public domain.
Aside from that, another memo about a huge amount of money to be allocated as subsidy for Hajj, which purportedly emanated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun was seen in public space. These leakages are very embarrassing to the government and people of Nigeria
On the account of that, the Head of Service, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, in the memo tagged HCSF/3065/VI/189, said the leakages of such documents have become embarrassing to the government, and become unacceptable.
She stated, “It has been observed with dismay, the increase in the cases of leakage of sensitive official documents in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This is very embarrassing to government.
“As part of the efforts to curb this undesirable development, all permanent secretaries are to fast-track the migration to the digitalised workflow system, and ensure effective deployment of the Enterprise Content Management Solution.
“This will reduce physical contact with official documents thereby checking the increasing incidence of leakage and circulation of same. Furthermore, permanent secretaries are advised to strongly warn all staff against leaking and circulating official information and documents.
“Any officer caught engaging in such unbecoming act will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant circulars,” the memo reads.
