The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged Nigerian policymakers to place the protection of digital freedoms at the centre of the country’s cyber laws, warning that security measures should not come at the expense of citizens’ rights.
The call was made on Wednesday in Kano during the 3rd edition of CITAD’s Digital Tech Policy Forum, which focused on concerns surrounding the Cybercrime Act and its impact on freedom of expression and civic space. The forum was themed “The Trojan Horse in the Cybercrime Act: Ensuring Digital Rights in the Age of the Cybercrime Conundrum.”
The event brought together policymakers, academics, media practitioners, civil society organisations and technology experts to examine how existing cyber laws affect Nigerians’ online freedoms and everyday digital lives.
Speaking at the forum, CITAD’s Executive Director, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, who was represented by the Senior Programme Officer, Malam Isah Garba, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between research, policy and public interest.
“Our aim is to ensure that Nigeria’s technology policies are proactive, not reactive,” Ya’u said.
He noted that effective digital policies require sustained engagement between government, civil society and academic institutions to prevent the enactment of laws that unintentionally restrict fundamental freedoms.
Also speaking, Barrister Zulaiha Yusuf Gamandi of the Kano NBA Young Lawyers Forum cautioned against using security as a justification to limit citizens’ rights online.
“Cyber laws must protect freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, not suppress them,” she said, adding that lawyers have a responsibility to help the public understand digital laws and ensure they align with the Nigerian Constitution.
Similarly, research analyst Abubakar Yahuza Abubakar emphasised the need for data-driven policymaking, stating that laws should reflect the real experiences of internet users.
He called for stronger collaboration among civil society groups, researchers and technology experts to develop policies that support innovation while safeguarding citizens’ freedoms.
