CSOs, Scholars Task Federal Govt On Democratisation Of Digital Rights 

A coalition of civil society organisations and scholars have advocated the democratisation of digital rights in the country to promote equal access to digital rights for all Nigerians.

They called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the widening digital divide and ensure that every citizen can fully participate in the digital economy.

The coalition, consisting of prominent organizations such as the Gate Field, Paradigm Initiative, PIN, experts in tech fields and educationists, made the call at a round table in Abuja.

Speaking, the Senior Programme Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Khadijah El-Usman, said the digital landscape is transforming the way Nigerians access educational resources, job opportunities, and engage in democratic processes.

El-Usman said Nigeria accounts for 29% of internet usage on the continent and 82% of all telecom subscribers and called for policies that safeguard personal data, promote freedom of expression, and ensure an open and accessible digital space for all.

She also called for: “Universal Access as a State Policy; Digital rights and freedoms bill; Cybercrimes Act – ECOWAS court has ordered a review; Effective accountability model for surveillance practices see – the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued the Lawful Interception of Communication Regulations and Institutional Capacity Building.”

On her part, a lecturer at the University of Abuja, Nurat Audu, called on the government to implement policies that protect citizens’ online rights, guaranteeing privacy, freedom of expression, and access to the internet.

She identified several areas of particular concern as growing instances of surveillance, data breaches, online harassment, and censorship by both governmental and non-governmental entities.

Audu asserted that pressing issues such as the right to privacy, freedom of expression, and digital inclusion need to be addressed promptly and with a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders.

“How do governments first sensitize themselves and how do bodies come together to regularize this freedom that the citizens are having but the reason why it is difficult for them is that we have a lot on our table. Nigerians are angry and are hungry. I don’t know how you come to say something to somebody that is really angry and hungry and you expect that person to listen to you.”

“Nigeria, being Africa’s largest economy and home to the largest population on the continent, has made significant strides in digital development over the years. However, some issues have exposed the existing disparities in access to digital tools, leaving many at a disadvantage,” she said.

On his part, a Senior Associate, planning advocacy and engagement, Chukwuma Edozie, said the aim for the initiative is sequel to the increasing number of digital rights violations in Nigeria.

He said the violations include the restriction of internet access, censorship of online content, and the use of surveillance technology to monitor citizens, adding that these actions violate the fundamental rights of individuals and undermine democracy in Nigeria.