The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on Nigerian policymakers to prioritise the protection of digital freedoms when reviewing the country’s cyber laws.
The call was made during the 3rd Edition of CITAD’s Digital Tech Policy Forum held on Wednesday in Kano.
Speaking on behalf of CITAD Executive Director, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, Senior Programme Officer Malam Isah Garba said the forum was designed to encourage dialogue between government, civil society, and academia.
“Our goal is to ensure that technology policy in Nigeria is not reactive but proactive,” Garba said.
“This forum serves as a bridge between research and policy, ensuring that innovations like AI are guided by ethics, inclusivity, and human-centered values.”
He added that policy frameworks should protect citizens’ rights online while promoting innovation.
“Engagement between government, civil society, and academia is crucial to ensure that digital laws do not inadvertently undermine fundamental freedoms,” he said.
On the legal front, Barrister Zulaiha Yusuf Gamandi of the Kano NBA Young Lawyers Forum stressed that citizens’ digital rights must be safeguarded.
“The law must protect freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, rather than stifle them under the guise of security,” she said.
She urged legal practitioners to educate the public on digital laws and ensure that the Cybercrime Act aligns with Nigeria’s constitution.
Research analyst, Abubakar Yahuza Abubakar also highlighted the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
“Policy development must be informed by data to address real-life challenges faced by internet users,” he said.
He called for collaboration with civil society, academia, and technology stakeholders to create policies that balance innovation with citizens’ freedoms.
