Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Nigerian citizens’ data online, warning that sensitive information belonging even to top government officials has been exposed and cheaply traded on the internet for years, reports ITREALMS.
He revealed that for over three years, the personal data of citizens including those of the President, Vice President, National Security Adviser, military chiefs, ministers, and senior officials have been readily available online to anyone who knows their full name and date of birth.
“The data security problem is serious,” Sesan declared, stressing that the weak enforcement of Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, recurring internet disruptions, state surveillance, and inconsistent digital policies continue to undermine citizens’ trust and hinder the nation’s digital economy potential.
PIN, backed by partners including the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ford Foundation, Luminate, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Mott Foundation, Open Society Foundations (OSF), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the Internet Society Foundation, has been at the forefront of digital rights advocacy across Africa.
The organisation highlighted the achievements of its flagship project, Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space (STANDS), which combines litigation, advocacy, evidence-building, and capacity-strengthening to safeguard online freedoms.
A key milestone of the project, according to Sesan, was the Ikot Ekpene Declaration, a judicial commitment document guiding judges on integrating digital rights into rulings, alongside training for law enforcement officers on digital security practices.
PIN’s Chief Operating Officer, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, pointed to the organisation’s broader impact in transforming young lives through scholarships, digital toolkits, reports, award-winning films, and other initiatives that empower African youths to thrive in the digital era.
In her remarks, Khadija El-Usman, Senior Officer Programmes for Anglophone West Africa, unveiled highlights from the 2024 Nigeria Londa Report, which benchmarks Nigeria’s digital rights performance against the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
The report assessed Nigeria’s performance across areas including internet access and affordability, freedom of expression, data protection, content moderation, transparency, emerging technologies, and inclusion of vulnerable groups. With a score of 36 out of 60, Nigeria was ranked “moderately compliant,” reflecting a mix of progress and setbacks.
“For Nigeria in 2024, this assessment is not just a research exercise. It directly reflects how over 200 million citizens experience their right to connect, speak, be protected online, and participate in the digital economy,” Khadija stressed.
Despite notable progress, PIN noted that millions of Nigerians, particularly those in rural communities, women, and persons with disabilities, remain excluded due to high costs, limited connectivity, and low digital literacy. Reiterating the call on government and stakeholders to prioritise online safety, strengthen data protection systems, and close the widening gap in digital inclusion.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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