In a significant move to strengthen digital rights in Nigeria, the *World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The agreement formalizes their partnership in implementing Phase II of the Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria (SDRN) Project.
The MoU was signed by Mrs. Rabi Anwar, Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, on behalf of Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, and Mr. Arome Agenyi, the Technical Consultant for WIDEF on the SDRN Project Phase II, who represented Kingsley Godwin, WIDEF’s Executive Director. Witnessing the signing were Paul Gwumapan, WIDEF’s Program Officer, and Chisom Nwabugwu, WIDEF’s Digital and Tech Policy Officer.
This collaboration will involve key activities such as a High-Level Consultation on Digital Rights in Nigeria, a Joint Press Conference, and a Social Media Campaign under the “Digital Rights Online Education (DRONE) Project.” These initiatives aim to raise awareness of the importance of digital rights in Nigeria, particularly in the face of increasing digital censorship and surveillance, which have contributed to the shrinking of civic space in the country.
The partnership will focus on raising awareness about digital rights, increasing citizens’ and stakeholders’ understanding of the threats posed by digital authoritarianism, and advocating against human rights violations, including unauthorized surveillance of citizens’ online activities. Together, WIDEF and the NHRC will drive critical legal and policy reforms, establishing clear guidelines to safeguard civil liberties in the digital space and setting up monitoring frameworks to ensure compliance with digital surveillance standards by both government and private sector stakeholders.
This collaboration marks a decisive step toward fostering a free, open, and rights-respecting digital environment in Nigeria, where civil liberties are protected and citizens can fully exercise their digital rights without fear of surveillance or repression.
The Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria Project was established under the auspices of the Action Group on Free Civic Space – The “Security Playbook” Project with support from the Funds for Global Human Rights.
