By James Ishaku
In a bold move to strengthen digital sovereignty and better safeguard its citizens, Nigeria is redefining its approach to technology regulation—shifting from market-driven oversight to a model rooted in public interest, civic inclusion, and human rights.
Speaking at a multi-stakeholder policy workshop in Abuja, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, underscored the urgent need for a robust legal and ethical framework to promote accountability, transparency, and digital rights. The event, organised by the Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API) in collaboration with NITDA, focused on deliberations around the draft Online Harm Protection (OHP) Bill.
Held under the theme “Inclusive Dialogue on the OHP Bill: Accountability, Rights, and Safety Online,” the workshop brought together policymakers, civil society organizations, technology leaders, legal experts, and academics to help shape what could become one of Africa’s most forward-thinking digital rights legislations.
“Digital technology is no longer just about products and services—it is now the infrastructure of our lives,” Inuwa said. “It dictates how we work, how we learn, how we relate, and even how we think. These platforms have become embedded in our political, economic, and social systems.”
Inuwa pointed to the 2021 suspension of Twitter in Nigeria as a pivotal moment in the country’s digital governance journey. The incident, he said, revealed the power imbalance between sovereign nations and global tech giants, prompting NITDA to introduce a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and publish a White Paper on Online Harm Protection in December 2024
Building on that foundation, the draft OHP Bill seeks to establish a comprehensive and inclusive legal framework to tackle emerging risks such as online harms, misinformation, surveillance capitalism, and algorithmic bias—while safeguarding democratic principles and protecting individual rights.
The Bill proposes the creation of four institutional mechanisms to anchor accountable and inclusive digital governance: Online Harm Protection Center to coordinate regulatory efforts across sectors; Multi-Stakeholder Council – to ensure participatory decision-making; Redress Panel a forum where users can challenge unfair or harmful platform actions; and Independent Oversight Forum to maintain transparency and build public trust.
“This Bill is not just about regulation—it’s about securing democracy, safeguarding digital rights, and building a resilient and inclusive digital future for Nigeria,” Inuwa stressed.
Declaring the workshop open, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, praised the participatory process and pledged legislative support for the Bill.
Echoing this, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, affirmed the committee’s commitment to fast-tracking the Bill’s first reading and ensuring broad consultation. “The digital economy cannot flourish without trust—and trust requires laws that put people first,” he said.
In her remarks, Victoria Manya, Co-founder of API, described the OHP Bill as more than just a legal document—calling it a “social contract” grounded in Nigeria’s cultural, political, and technological realities
“Regulation is not about censorship—it’s about protection,” Manya emphasised. “The internet didn’t break society, but it has exposed its deepest complexities—from gender-based violence to hate speech and misinformation.”
She stressed the importance of crafting legislation through a rights-based lens, especially since marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by online harms. Manya lauded the inclusive nature of the drafting process and urged all stakeholders—including tech companies, journalists, civil society groups, and everyday citizens—to help shape a safer, more equitable digital future.
