A coalition of Nigerian rights groups is hailing the country's new Freedom of Information law as a victory for transparency in government.

A spokesman for Right to Know Initiative says the law passed by President Goodluck Jonathan Saturday gives Nigerians the tools uncover facts and hold public officials and institutions accountable.

The law also protects whistleblowers from reprisals by an employer or organization.

Private institutions that receive public funds or provide services to the public must also abide by the new law.

The coalition consisting of the Right to Know Initiative, Media Rights Agenda, and Open Society Justice Initiative pushed for the law since 1999, when Nigeria transferred to a democracy from military rule.