To safeguard digital rights in Nigeria, Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), civil society organisations, digital experts, and human rights advocates have called for a rights-based policy framework and a revision of outdated laws to better reflect current realities and global human rights standards.

They also emphasised the urgent passage of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill to establish a stronger legal foundation for digital rights protection. They agreed on new strategies to enhance the protection of digital rights in Nigeria.

The call was made in a nine-point communiqué released after a high-level Situation Room Dialogue on digital rights held in Abuja.

The forum was organised under the e-RIGHTS project, led by ASF France (Lawyers Without Borders France), and co-funded by the European Union and the UNESCO Global Media Defence Fund.

It provided a platform for discussions on the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s digital space, with participants exploring issues such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, online safety, digital inclusion and legal reform.

Participants at the forum agreed that digital literacy should be integrated into school curricula at all levels to build early awareness and responsible digital citizenship.

Another priority was raising public awareness of existing digital rights laws and frameworks.

They also called for investment in local digital platforms based on Nigeria’s values and legal frameworks, as well as stronger mechanisms for the prompt enforcement of court rulings. Other suggestions include launching targeted campaigns and training to raise awareness of digital rights, especially among young people and marginalised groups.

The establishment of digital rights academies by both the public and private sectors was also recommended to promote ongoing education on online safety, privacy and human rights.

Participants emphasised that global standards on digital rights should be localised to suit Nigeria’s context for greater effectiveness.

In addition, they advocated for the domestication of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework for combating cybercrime while upholding human rights.

‎Representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Force, the Digital Bridge Institute, Paradigm Initiative, TechHer, the media, and the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators participated in the engagement. The organisers noted that the outcome of the dialogue would guide advocacy for policies that promote accountability, strengthen legal protections and foster a more rights-respecting digital environment across the country.