THE CENTRE for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on Nigerian policymakers to prioritise the protection of digital freedoms in the country’s cyber laws.
The call was made at the 3rd Edition of CITAD’s Digital Tech Policy Forum on Wednesday in Kano, which held under the theme: “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 actors, and technology experts to discuss how the Cybercrime Act affects freedom of expression, civic space, and digital rights.
CITAD’s Executive Director, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, represented by Senior Programme Officer, Malam Isah Garba, said the forum aimed to foster dialogue between academia, government, and civil society.
“Our goal is to ensure that technology policy in Nigeria is not reactive but proactive,” Ya’u said, adding: “This Forum will serve as a bridge between research and policy, ensuring that innovations like AI are guided by ethics, inclusivity, and human-centered values.”
He added: “We must create policy frameworks that protect citizens’ rights online while encouraging innovation. Engagement between government, civil society, and academia is crucial to ensure that digital laws do not inadvertently undermine fundamental freedoms.”
On the legal side, Barrister Zulaiha Yusuf Gamandi of the Kano NBA Young Lawyers Forum stressed that citizens’ digital rights must be safeguarded.
“The law must protect freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, rather than stifle them under the guise of security,” she said. Gamandi urged legal practitioners to educate the public about the implications of digital laws and ensure the Cybercrime Act aligns with constitutional principles.
Research analyst, Abubakar Yahuza Abubakar, highlighted the need for evidence-based policy.
“Policy development must be informed by data to address real-life challenges faced by internet users,” he said. “Digital rights are human rights, and any legislation that threatens these must be carefully examined and debated.”
He added: “Civil society, academia, and technology stakeholders must collaborate to craft policies that promote innovation while protecting citizens’ freedoms.”
The forum concluded with a strong call for inclusive, people-centred digital policymaking, ensuring Nigeria’s cyber laws combat cybercrime without undermining fundamental rights.
