A transformative milestone was achieved at the 17th Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) on June 11, 2026, as secondary school participants and youth delegates formally adopted the “2026 Nigerian Youth Declaration on Digital Rights” reports ITREALMS.
The declaration, read by Onyeukwu Kamsy of Murtala Muhammed Airport School, Ikeja, represents a decisive shift for young Nigerians from being passive technology consumers to active policy co-creators. The charter outlines four fundamental pillars for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem:
Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): The youth demand affordable, secure internet access as a fundamental right and call for the removal of barriers for young innovators using the .ng brand.
Civic Space and Online Freedom: The declaration insists that online spaces must remain safe, equitable, and protected environments for democratic participation, free from harassment or censorship.
Digital Trust and Security: Recognizing the threat of cyber exploitation, the youth call for systemic digital literacy campaigns and strict adherence to international data ethics and protection standards.
Continental Inclusion: The charter advocates for institutionalized mentorship from organizations like ActionAid Nigeria and ISOC Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, among others, ensuring youth voices are integrated into continental platforms such as the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF).
"We, the delegates of the NDSF 'Digital Rights Youth Ambassador' Program, formally present this non-negotiable declaration to the regulators, operators, civil society, and press," the youth stated in their solemn adoption.
The delegates further demanded the immediate integration of these principles into the national digital agenda, signaling a new era of youth-led advocacy in Nigeria’s technology landscape.
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