From 24 to 27 September 2018, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the Special Rapporteur), Commissioner Lawrence Mute, will undertake an advocacy visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria).
The purpose of the visit is to build capacities and raise awareness in Nigeria on Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) which establishes the right to freedom of expression and access to information.
The Special Rapporteur will interact with state and non-state actors so as to support full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. He will also engage with relevant state and non-state stakeholders to popularize the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa (the Guidelines), which were adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) in 2017.
During the advocacy visit, the Special Rapporteur will also deliver a public lecture on Article 9 of the African Charter at Abuja University.
The Special Rapporteur will be accompanied during this visit by a delegation consisting of representatives working in the field of access to information and elections.
Banjul, 20 September, 2018
