Strengthening Measures Against Online Harm in Nigeria
Nigeria's Online Harm Protection Bill: A Step Towards a Safer Digital Future
In a bid to bolster digital sovereignty and protect citizens, the Nigerian government has proposed the Online Harm Protection (OHP) Bill. This legislation, aiming to become one of Africa's most progressive digital rights legislations, is designed to establish a new digital regulatory regime built on public interest, civic inclusion, and human rights.
Kashifu Inuwa, the director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasised that the bill is not just about regulation, but about securing democracy, safeguarding digital rights, and building a resilient and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.
The bill seeks to usher in a regime built on a co-regulatory framework, which includes mutual understanding of online harms, stakeholder partnership, an established duty of care proposition, enhanced transparency in intermediary liability processes, and clear compliance obligations.
Four institutional mechanisms will be established to anchor accountable and inclusive digital governance: the Online Harm Protection Center, the Multi-Stakeholder Council, the Independent Oversight Forum, and the Redress Panel. The Redress Panel, in particular, will provide a forum for users to challenge harmful or unfair platform actions.
The bill will crack down on emerging risks such as misinformation, algorithmic bias, online harms, and surveillance capitalism. It also aims to establish a coherent, coordinated framework for regulating third-party content in Nigeria, with transparency as the guiding principle.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also announced plans to establish a 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre and a Cybercrime Research Centre to advance preventative and investigative efforts.
The OHP Bill has been the focus of a multi-stakeholder policy workshop, organised by the Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API) in collaboration with the NITDA. The bill does not seek to scrap the content management model but to enhance it.
Nigeria is committed to advancing the fight against cybercriminals in the digital space and emphasising the need for enhanced public awareness and international collaboration to help advance its digital future. The government has already taken steps to "build a resilient digital future," including reviewing the Cyber Crime Act, the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy, redesigning the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), and approving an Executive Order on the designation and protection of critical national information infrastructure.
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, has pledged legislative support for the bill. Chairman Olajide of the House Committee on ICT has committed to expediting the bill's first reading and ensuring a broad consultation.
Victoria Manya, co-founder of API, has emphasised that regulation is about protection, not censorship, and that the internet has exposed society's deepest complexities. Chairman Olu Olukoyede of the EFCC stated that Nigeria will not allow its system to be used as a base for international criminal cells.
In summary, the Online Harm Protection Bill represents a significant step towards regulating the digital environment proactively by establishing institutional frameworks and legal mechanisms to protect citizens from harmful online content, while promoting inclusivity, accountability, and respect for digital rights. Nigeria's commitment to this legislation underscores its dedication to advancing the fight against cybercrime and building a safer, more inclusive digital future for its citizens.
- As the Online Harm Protection Bill progresses, stakeholders in Nigeria's finance sector might consider the potential implications on digital transactions and digital rights, aiming to support a resilient and inclusive digital economy.
- Technology enthusiasts in the education-and-self-development and general-news sectors could take an active interest in the OHP Bill, as it could foster a more transparent and responsible digital landscape that encourages genuine information dissemination and prevents online harms.
