“Digital Rights Are Under Siege at State Level” Privacy Violations in Nigeria – CITAD

By Ladan Nasidi, Kano

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has raised the alarm over what it described as a worsening state of digital rights observance at state and local government levels across Nigeria, warning that unchecked abuses threaten democracy, accountability, and citizens’ freedoms.

CITAD made this known on Thursday during a press conference on the State of Digital Rights Observance at the State Level in Nigeria, where it unveiled findings from its newly developed policy brief.

“Nigeria operates a federal system where responsibilities are shared across federal, state, and local governments. While ICTs may not be explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, their role today is undeniable,” the organisation said. “This clearly places responsibility on state governments not only to deploy digital technologies for development, but also to protect the digital rights of citizens. Unfortunately, this responsibility is being largely ignored.”

Arrests for Online Expression

According to CITAD, its findings reveal a disturbing pattern of arrests, detentions, and harassment of citizens—particularly at state and local government levels for expressing opinions online.

“Over the last six months alone, CITAD has responded to several digital rights cases across Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kwara states,” the organisation disclosed.

Among the cases cited was the arrest of Comrade Abiyo Roni, an indigene of Roni Local Government Area in Jigawa State, who was detained after criticising his local government chairman over a youth empowerment initiative on social media.

In Kwara State, CITAD said a blogger, Ajala Adeshina Shuaib, was arrested and detained following allegations of defamation after criticising a senator online. Similar cases were also recorded in Kano State involving Murtala Garba Doka, Shamsu Safiyanu Lambu, and Zakariyya Kabeer Gwagwarwa, a serving corps member, who was reportedly arrested on the orders of a political office holder.

“These cases are not isolated incidents,” CITAD warned. “They reflect a growing culture of intolerance to criticism, abuse of power, and the weaponisation of law enforcement agencies to silence dissent—especially at the grassroots.”

Privacy Violations and Abuse of Women, Girls

Beyond state actions, CITAD expressed concern over increasing digital rights violations among private individuals, largely driven by ignorance and weak enforcement of privacy laws.

The organisation cited a case involving a minor whose video was recorded without consent at a family event and circulated widely on social media, leading to ridicule, emotional trauma, and eventual withdrawal from school.

In another instance, a woman in Kano State reportedly discovered that her image had been used without consent in advertising materials by a textile merchant.

“While some of these matters were settled out of court, they highlight the widespread lack of understanding of privacy and consent in the digital age,” CITAD said.

More alarming, the organisation noted, are cases involving women and girls, particularly online harassment, privacy violations, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

“In the last two years, several young women have lost their lives after interactions initiated on social media,” CITAD revealed, adding that such cases are often not recognised or treated as digital rights violations by authorities or the public.

Weak Institutions, Low Awareness

CITAD attributed the persistence of abuses to low digital rights awareness, weak institutional redress mechanisms, and inadequate training among judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officers.

“Many of those responsible for investigating, prosecuting, or adjudicating digital rights cases lack the necessary capacity,” the organisation said, noting that most training initiatives are concentrated in Abuja and Lagos, leaving state and local actors poorly equipped.

Calls for Urgent Action

CITAD called on state governments to take immediate responsibility for protecting digital rights, stressing that ICTs fall within the Concurrent Legislative List in practice.

“States must move beyond deploying digital tools for revenue generation or surveillance and begin to protect citizens who use digital platforms,” it said.

The organisation outlined three key policy actions: the domestication of existing federal digital rights and data protection policies; the development of state-level digital rights frameworks, including on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence; and the harmonisation of existing laws to align with contemporary digital rights standards.

CITAD also urged state governments to stop arresting citizens for expressing opinions online, invest in training for judges, lawyers, and police officers, and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Digital Rights Are Human Rights

“Digital rights are not optional privileges. They are fundamental human rights that underpin democracy, accountability, innovation, and development,” CITAD declared.

As Nigeria becomes increasingly digital, the organisation warned that failure to protect digital rights especially at state and local levels poses a serious threat to the country’s collective future.

CITAD reaffirmed its commitment to documenting abuses, supporting victims, engaging policymakers, and advocating for a safe, inclusive, and rights-respecting digital environment.