The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has criticised the judgment of the National Industrial Court dismissing the suit filed by whistleblower Yisa Usman against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), warning that the ruling raises far-reaching concerns about whistleblower protection, due process, disability rights and accountability in Nigeria’s public service.
In a statement signed by its Programme Manager, Godwin Onyeacholem, AFRICMIL said its concerns extended beyond the employment dispute, describing the case as one with significant implications for labour justice, public administration and anti-corruption efforts.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court had, on July 2, 2026, dismissed Usman’s suit challenging his dismissal from JAMB. Usman, a Deputy Director at the examination body, was dismissed in July 2023 after exposing what he alleged were financial, procurement and governance irregularities within the institution.
Although Usman has indicated his intention to appeal the judgment, AFRICMIL said the appellate court now has an opportunity to clarify critical legal issues affecting whistleblowers and public servants.
“We respect the independence of the judiciary and trust that the appellate process will provide further clarity on the important legal issues raised,” the organisation stated.
AFRICMIL noted that Usman, who is a person living with disability, served for more than two decades in public financial management, procurement and administration before his dismissal.
The organisation argued that the trial court failed to adequately consider the protections available to him under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, describing the omission as a broader concern for equal access to justice and the treatment of persons with disabilities in public institutions.
According to AFRICMIL, Usman’s whistleblowing activities have attracted international recognition, including his emergence as the Global First Runner-up for the 2026 Ellsberg Whistleblower Award in Germany, an achievement it said was formally acknowledged by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
While stressing that such recognition does not determine the merits of the employment dispute, the organisation said it underscored the public significance of the issues raised and the need for stronger protection of individuals who make lawful disclosures in the public interest.
AFRICMIL observed that Nigeria has consistently encouraged citizens and public officials to expose corruption and abuse of office but warned that such policy objectives would fail if whistleblowers faced retaliation instead of protection.
The organisation also disclosed that Usman is involved in another pending legal matter arising from his public interest disclosures, saying the existence of multiple legal proceedings highlighted the risks often faced by whistleblowers.
It maintained that public institutions have the responsibility to enforce discipline but insisted that disciplinary proceedings must be transparent, impartial and fully compliant with statutory provisions, the Public Service Rules and constitutional guarantees of fair hearing.
AFRICMIL further argued that the legal questions surrounding public service employment, disciplinary procedures and whistleblower protection require authoritative judicial interpretation because of their importance to the wider public service.
The organisation therefore urged the Court of Appeal to provide clear guidance on the issues when the appeal is heard.
It also called on the National Assembly to enact comprehensive whistleblower protection legislation with effective safeguards against retaliation.
In addition, AFRICMIL urged the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to strengthen compliance with the Public Service Rules in disciplinary proceedings and called on the Federal Government to reinforce mechanisms that encourage public-interest disclosures while guaranteeing fairness and due process.
The organisation further appealed to anti-corruption agencies, professional bodies and civil society organisations to continue promoting transparency, accountability, disability inclusion and good governance.
AFRICMIL said the Yisa Usman versus JAMB case presents an important opportunity for national reflection on the protection of whistleblowers, the integrity of disciplinary processes and the need to strengthen labour justice in Nigeria.
It concluded that irrespective of the eventual outcome of the appeal, the issues raised should inspire reforms that reinforce transparency, accountability, procedural fairness and public confidence in Nigeria’s public institutions.
