Stories about Nigeria
How to protect Nigerians’ personal information while combating COVID-19
Combatting COVID-19 through all available legal means is urgent. However, such means need not be at the expense of protecting human rights — including the right to privacy.
Nigeria's digital ID scheme may benefit those ‘with access'— but what about everyone else?
"Without an adequate data privacy or protection law, how can we safeguard against some of the greatest risks that such a system could incur?"
This Nigerian human rights lawyer wins second order of restraint against government
Lawyer Gloria Ballason has experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, amid a growing crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent in Nigeria.
Nigerian government orders release of Omoyele Sowore, journalist and human rights activist
Omoyele Sowore was arrested in August on charges of treason, money laundry and harassing President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. He has been in jail despite court pronouncements ordering his release.
Nigeria's social media bill will obliterate online freedom of expression
The proposed social media bill will annihilate online freedom of expression, criminalize criticism of the government and legalize internet shutdowns in Nigeria.
Twitter was a minefield of false information during the 2019 Nigerian elections
Twitter became a battle ground of ethnocentric disinformation and political propaganda before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the 2019 elections in Nigeria.
Social media propelled ethnocentric disinformation and propaganda during the Nigerian elections
The 2019 Nigerian elections witnessed unprecedented dissemination of ethnic hate speech at the service of disinformation and propaganda online, particularly on Twitter.
Nigerian journalist under threat of arrest for exposé of police and prison corruption
The intimidation of journalist 'Fisayo Soyombo exemplifies the precarious state of press freedom and free speech in Nigeria.
Nigerian journalist Omoyele Sowore remains in jail on trumped-up charges of treason and insulting the president
Rights groups see Omoyele Sowore's continued detention and the charges filed against him as merely a criminalisation of political dissent in Nigeria.
Nigerian journalist charged with treason after criticizing governor for corruption
For exposing government corruption, Nigerian journalist Agba Jalingo has been charged with treason, terrorism, cultism and public disturbance.
Human rights advocates petition the UN and AU over the detention of Nigerian protest leader
"The unfounded charge of terrorism that was subsequently laid against him was clearly only created to serve the purpose of silencing Sowore."
Apprehension rises over the abduction of a Nigerian government critic
Dadiyata, a fierce critic of Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje, was abducted on August 1 and nothing has been heard of him since.
Nigerian activist arrested for calling for a nationwide #RevolutionNow protest movement
Omoyele Sowore was detained and charged under Nigeria's 2011 counter-terrorism law. He could face life imprisonment.
Netizen Report: In Nigeria and Russia, laws against online ‘insult’ put internet activists on thin ice
Activists in Nigeria and Russia face charges for "online insult", a Twitter campaign targets "anti-Pakistan" journalists abnd Mauritania’s internet is back on, for now.
How Nigeria uses the law to repress free speech: The case of journalist Jones Abiri
Draconian legislation often used to arbitrarily detain journalists and dissenting voices exemplifies the precarious state of press freedom and free speech in Nigeria.
Nigerian students face cybercrime charges for criticising their university online
A former staff member described Madonna University as a ''death trap''.
Right to Information: With its new law in place, will Ghana go the way of Nigeria?
Nearly two dozen African countries have passed Right to Information laws. But while strong in principle, many have faltered in practice.
With tensions rising ahead of 2019 presidential elections, Nigerians fear internet shutdown
The use of social media to call attention to the government's violations and illegal actions have led to fears that of online censorship in upcoming elections.
Taxed, throttled or thrown in jail: Africa’s new internet paradigm
Across the continent, the legal and economic costs of speaking up are rising.
Why are African governments criminalising online speech? Because they fear its power.
The noise we make on digital platforms scares oppressive regimes. In some cases, it can even force them to rescind their actions.
