ABSTRACT
Whistleblowers protection legal regime is a tool recognised globally for unveiling corruption, illicit, immoral and unethical practices in the upstream petroleum industry. Since combating corruption is impossible without the cooperation of all stakeholders. This study examined the need for whistleblowers protection law in Nigeria to promote transparency and development in the upstream petroleum sector and to determine whether or not the protection of whistleblowers is worth legislative attention. The finding is the absence of a specific, well-constructed legal regime to protect whistleblowers in Nigeria, which has exposed whistleblowers to grave consequences of reporting, thereby discouraging reporting of corruption. The study designs a hybrid model or strategies for reporting corrupt and unethical practices. The study recommends comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws, highlights the relevance of certain international conventions on reporting corrupt practices, and identifies vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s response to the conventions. The study concludes that the proposed legal regime on whistleblowers protection law must be subjected to local circumstances and needs. The study advocates the need for Nigeria’s National Assembly to pass the pending Whistler Protection Bill 2015 and recommends strong political will and sincere commitments being the sine qua non for combating corruption in the country.
Keywords: Corruption, Petroleum, Whistleblowing, Laws, Nigeria.