P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY POLL RESULT RELEASE
Most Nigerians Are Willing To Blow The Whistle If They Suspect Any Corrupt Practice
Abuja, Nigeria. May 16th, 2017 – Latest public opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls has revealed that the
majority (92 percent) of Nigerian citizens are willing to blow the whistle whenever they suspect corrupt
practices. This comes on the heels of the declaration made by the Federal Government through its Finance
Ministry, to reward any of its citizens that have substantial information to track and recover stolen
government funds with between 2 and 5 percent of the recovered loot. 58 percent of the respondents
surveyed showed awareness of this policy and the North West geo-political zone (73 percent) formed the
highest percentage of respondents who are aware. This policy appears to be yielding positive results as the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have, since then, made several discoveries of looted
funds hidden away in various places. It is therfore no surprise that the vast majority (92 percent) of the
populace declared support for the policy.
Furthermore, out of the proportion that showed support for the policy, 49 percent were of the opinion that
the policy would help curb corruption in the country, while 12 percent believed it would help the
government recover stolen funds. Contrarily, 8 percent of respondents did not support the policy; as they
believed that the monies recoverd were not utilized to the “benefit of the poor masses” (25 percent).
Other respondents in this category also stated that “the policy is all a camouflage” (17 percent) and “its not
the best way to fight corruption” (14 percent). These concerns are in line with some media reports which
relates the concern of Nigerians with regards to the outcome of some recent whistle blowing activities and
recovered loot by the EFCC. In line with this, some Nigerians are of the opinion that the recovered funds
should be mainly channeled into “infrastructural development” (34 percent), “invested into the economy”
(14 percent), and used to ‘improve the wellbeing of the poor’ (10 percent) among others.
Finally, while the whistle blowing policy is a welcome initiative in the fight against corruption, the Fedral
Government must consistently ensure that recovered funds are used judiciously. Additionally, the issue of
anonymity of the whistle blowers is very crucial to the longevity of the policy especially with the spate of
insecurity in the country. Government must do all it can to protect the whistle blowers and keep their end
of the bargain by rewarding them accordingly to motivate more people to expose these corrupt practices.
These are some of the key findings from the Whistle Blowing Policy poll conducted in the week
commencing May 1st, 2017.
Brief Background
Nigeria’s problems with corruption are well-documented and in a bid to curtail corruption, the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) approved the whistle blowing policy in December 2016. The policy’s objective,
according to the Federal Ministry of Finance, is to increase disclosure of financial related crimes, support
the fight against financial crimes and corruption, improve the level of public confidence in public
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
1 |P a g e
P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
institutions, enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, improve
Nigeria’s Open Government Ranking and Ease of Doing Business Indicators, and recover public funds that
can be deployed to finance Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit.1
The Ministry describes a whistleblower as any person who voluntarily discloses information about a
possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur. The channel of
reporting cases of suspected financial crimes is via a website (http://whistle.finance.gov.ng) which is a
dedicated and secured portal developed by the Federal Ministry Of Finance specifically for the whistle
blowing policy.2 The portal contains details, directives modus-operandi of the programme for potential
whistle blowers. The policy provides confidentiality for whistle blowers and the whistleblower may be
entitled to anywhere between 2.5 per cent (minimum) and 5.0 per cent (maximum) of the total amount
recovered depending on the mode or condition of recovery.3
There have been chronicles of recovered funds since the programme commenced, with outrageous
amounts recovered.4 Interestingly, across the Nigerian social space there are mixed reactions regarding this
policy, particularly as regards support for the programme, what the recovered loots should be used for and
a percieved lack of transperancy in accounting for the amount recovered so far. Hence, prompting the
government to state that it will announce the amount of funds recovered since the programme began on
the 29th of may 20175 which happens to be Democracy Day in Nigeria. Against this backdrop, NOIPolls
conducted a survey to guage the perception of Nigerians on the Whistle-blowing Policy.
Survey Findings
The first question sought to measure the level of awareness of the Federal Government’s Whistle Blowing
Policy and findings revealed that 58 percent of respondents were aware, while the remaining 42 percent
said they were unaware. Analysis across geo-political zones showed that the North-West zone (73 percent)
is the region with the highest proportion of respondents who showed awareness and this could be
attributed to the fact that the earliest discoveries made via the whistle blowing policy was from this zone. 6
1
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
http://whistle.finance.gov.ng
3 https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
4 http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/whistle-blowing-panacea-corruption/
5 https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/122879/recovered-3-1bn-looted-funds-efcc-boss
6
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/223140-efcc-recovered-9-8million-yakubu-ex-nnpc-gmd-see-mountains-dollars.html
2
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
2 |P a g e
P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
The survey also sought to guage the support of Nigerians regarding the Federal Government’s whistle
blowing policy and findings revealed that more than 9 in 10 (92 percent) respondents nationwide are in
support of the policy and only a meagre 2 percent are not in support. This overwhelming support for the
whistle blowing policy is easily understood given the huge sums of recovered funds since the program
commenced.
Evidently, these findings further corroborate the Federal Government’s appreciation of the cooperation of
Nigerians in its fight against corruption via the whistle-blower policy, stating that the current
administration has received immeasurable support from Nigerians since it’s commencement.7
Furthermore, Nigerians who showed support for the policy were of the opinion that the policy ‘will curb
corruption’ (49 percent), ‘help recover stolen funds’ (12 percent) and that ‘it is wrong to steal public funds’
(10 percent) among other positive reasons.
7
http://www.news-africa.net/news/whistleblower-policy-fg-will-give-account-of-all-looted-funds
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
3 |P a g e
P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
On the contrary, of the 8 percent of respondents who do not support the policy, a large proportion (25
percent) cited that the money recovered will not shared to the poor Nigerians as their reason. While 17
percent believe that it is a camouflage, 14 percent disclosed that it is not the best way to fight corruption.
In addition, 11 percent stated that the security of the whistle blowers is not gauranteed, and another 11
percent believe the policy has been one sided amongst other reasons.
In measuring the willingness of Nigerians to be part of the whistle blowing process, findings revealed that
slightly more than 9 in 10 (92 Percent) Nigerians are willing to blow the whistle if they suspect any corrupt
practice in their environment. This can be traced to the fact that Nigerians are becoming increasingly aware
of the catastrophic effects of corruption on the economy and their general wellbeing hence, they are
willing to expose any corrupt practice in the nation. This also confirms the wide and general acceptability of
the whistle blowing policy. Analysis across geo-political zones reveals that Nigerians in the North-East
would be more willing to blow the whistle.
Finally, the survey sampled the opinion of Nigerians on the outcome for funds recovered through the
whistle blowing policy and 34 percent of the respondents suggested that the recovered loots should be
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
4 |P a g e
P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
used ‘for infrastructural development’ which is in line with the Federal Government’s suggestion for the
recovered loots to finance the country’s infrastructural deficit with recovered loot 8.
In addition, 14 percent of respondents suggested that the recovered loot ‘should be invested into the
economy’ and 10 percent of respondents suggested that the loot should be used to improve the wellbeing
of the poor among other suggestions.
In conclusion, the poll revealed that although a vast majority of Nigerians (92 percent), support the whistle
blowing policy and are also willing to blow the whistle on corrupt practices, a minor 8 percent still disagree
with the policy due to concerns centred arround the outcome and transperency of the process. For
instance, 5 percent of Nigerians who do not support the policy are of the opinion that defaulters arrested
so far have not been properly dealth with. Hence, it is imperative that the government and relevant
stakeholders synergise and address the issues dissuading some Nigerians from supporting the whistle
blowing policy.
Additionally, respondents believe the recovered funds should be used for “infrastructural development”
(34 percent), “job creation” (15 percent), “it should be invested in the economy” (14%) and used to
“improve the well being of the poor” (10 percent). This is very crucial to Nigerians as it will go a long way in
ameliorating the present economic situation.
Finally, while the poll clearly revealed a high support of Nigerians on the policy, it is imperative that the
protection of the whistle blowers should be guaranteed as stated by 11 percent of Nigerians. Clearly, if this
and other issues raised are properly addressed, the federal government’s whistle blowing policy will
ultimately enjoy an even better support by Nigerians.
8
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
5 |P a g e
P OLL I NG
A N A L YT I C S
D AT A BA N K
S T R AT E G Y
Survey Methods
The opinion poll was conducted in the week commencing May 1st, 2017. It involved telephone interviews
of a random nationwide sample. 1,000 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and
above, representing the six geo-political zones in the country, were interviewed. With a sample of this size,
we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained are statistically precise - within a range of plus or
minus 3%. NOIPolls Limited is the No1 for country specific polling services in West Africa. We conduct
periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria. More
information is available at www.noi-polls.com, you can also download our mobile app NOIPolls on your
smartphone.
Disclaimer
This press release has been produced by NOIPolls Limited to provide information on all issues which form
the subject matter of the document. Kindly note that while we are willing to share results from our polls
with the general public, we only request that NOIPolls be acknowledged as author whenever and wherever
our poll results are used, cited or published.
NOIPolls hereby certifies that all the views expressed in this document accurately reflect its views of
respondents surveyed for the poll, and background information is based on information from various
sources that it believes are reliable; however, no representation is made that it is accurate or complete.
Whilst reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document, no responsibility or liability is accepted
for errors or fact or for any views expressed herein by NOIPolls for actions taken as a result of information
provided in this report. Any ratings, forecasts, estimates, opinions or views herein constitute a judgment as
at the date of this document. If the date of this document is not current, the views and content may not
reflect NOIPolls’ current findings and/or thinking.
Press Contact
The Editor
Email: [email protected]
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
http://whistle.finance.gov.ng
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/whistle-blowing-panacea-corruption/
https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/122879/recovered-3-1bn-looted-funds-efcc-boss
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/223140-efcc-recovered-9-8million-yakubu-ex-nnpc-gmd-see-mountains-dollars.html
http://www.news-africa.net/news/whistleblower-policy-fg-will-give-account-of-all-looted-funds
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/22/fg-to-reward-whistleblowers-with-5-of-recovered-loot/
Whistle Blowing Policy Poll Report, May 2017
6 |P a g e