Deepening Nigeria’s digital rights, inclusion

In an era where technology is rapidly transforming economies, Nigeria and, indeed the entire Africa, stand at a critical juncture in their digital journey even as coordinated efforts are needed to build resilient, inclusive and secure infrastructure, ADEYEMI ADEPETUN writes.

Globally, data and digital access are considered fundamental human rights, just as the rights to freedom of association, privacy, and free speech. All of these should be preserved both online and offline.

Hence, with human interactions and transactions increasingly moving to the digital space, it is imperative to apply principles of openness, accountability, and participation to the governance of these digital platforms and to ensure that the rights of those using the different technologies and platforms are protected.

Digital rights are legal and human rights that allow individuals to access, use, create, and publish digital media, as well as computers, other electronic devices, and telecommunications networks. They are closely linked to freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

Digital rights are important because technology and the Internet have reshaped how people communicate, participate, and behave. Protecting digital rights ensures that people have control of their data and can use their voices in designing policies that govern the digital space.

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, youths make up half of the country’s population of over 200 million and are active players in this nation, which is rapidly digitalising with a fast-growing financial technology industry and increasing Internet penetration – currently standing at 51 per cent.

Nigeria’s data and digital rights ecosystem is evolving rapidly. Citizens need to keep pace with the emerging issues.  Some of the frontline issues all stakeholders must take note of are citizens’ data protection, freedom of expression online, Internet governance, regulation and shutdown, as well as online privacy and surveillance technology.

To fully appreciate and tackle these issues head-on, all stakeholders in the data and digital rights ecosystem in Nigeria need to roll up their sleeves and be engaged.  For that to happen, both the government and citizens have a role to play.

Commitment to protecting the people’s rights to access data and information and to disseminate these without fear should fall under the purview of the government. The government also needs to ensure transparency in decision-making processes and create an enabling environment for civic participation in the governance of the data and digital space.

Place of digital public infrastructure
According to the Paradigm Initiative (PIN) in deepening digital rights, the place of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) cannot be overemphasised. DPI refers to foundational digital systems that support a wide range of public services.

DPIs are the foundational enablers of digital services provided for citizens. These include digital identity systems, payment platforms, data exchange frameworks, and broadband networks. For Africa, DPI is not just another term; it is a pathway to socio-economic development and an enabler of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The agenda seeks to achieve a 50 per cent increase in Internet connectivity and ICT penetration and contribution to real GDP in absolute terms. The agenda defines its key transformational outcomes: Improvements in living standards, transformed, inclusive, and sustainable economies, an integrated Africa, empowered children, women, and youth, and a well-governed, peaceful, and cultural-centric Africa in a global context.

Enhancing financial inclusion
Leveraging DPI, such as digital identity systems (e.g., Nigeria’s National Identity Number) and digital payment platforms, can significantly improve financial inclusion across Africa. This will empower millions currently excluded from formal financial systems, enabling them to participate in the digital economy.

Speaking on digital rights, the Executive Director, PIN, Gbenga Sesan, stressed the importance of investing in digital literacy programmes, particularly in underserved communities, ensuring everyone can effectively use digital services.

While canvassing improved data protection, he said these programmes will reduce the digital divide, promote inclusion, and equip people with the skills to thrive in a digital economy.

Accordingly, he said PIN’s LIFE Legacy programme in 10 African countries epitomises this. Rwanda’s Smart Africa Initiative is another great example – Rwanda launched comprehensive digital literacy programmes targeting youth and educators. The initiative includes distributing tablets in schools and establishing coding boot camps, aiming to equip over 100,000 young Africans with digital skills by 2025.

Improving connectivity
Deepening digital rights and inclusion also requires improved connectivity, which will bring more people online.

While Internet access has always been expensive in Nigeria and was ranked 108th in the world in terms of affordability in 2023, costing $46.4 per month on average for 100Mbps. Various factors have contributed to these statistics such as regular power outages, which compromise the quality of Internet service providers’ offerings. Reports showed that 75 per cent of the entire country relies on generators in Nigeria.

In 2023, another major hindrance to Internet access was vandalism and the destruction of communication infrastructure, which was described as one of the reasons for complete network outages by Nigeria’s Minister of ICT and Digital Economy.

But for improved coverage, Sesan called for the independence of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to ensure the effective implementation of rural telephony.

Highlighting the challenges facing the USPF, he noted that the Fund had not submitted its report since 2021 and that there was a need for transparency and accountability in its management.

He emphasised the importance of the USPF to rural telephony, citing the example of the Benin Republic, where the fund had run cables from the south to the north, providing last-mile access to citizens.

The USPF was established by the Federal Government to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and universal service to information and communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved and under-served communities in the country.

Speaking with The Guardian on deepening digital inclusion, a telecoms expert, Kehinde Aluko, outlined gaps within the data and digital rights ecosystem in Nigeria to include digital rights literacy, locally relevant research, advocacy, and building a community of those engaged in data and digital rights, said there is need for citizens need to be protected from online surveillance and their data.

Aluko said restrictions on free speech and participation can undermine Nigeria’s civic space. The government needs to ensure transparency in decision-making processes and create an enabling environment for civic participation.

Attributing the digital divide in Nigeria to many factors, including the high cost of computer equipment and lack of access to ICT, he noted that network outages can stifle productivity and undermine business confidence.

Going forward
The Londa 2023 Report, authored by PIN, which called for more collaboration between the government and the private sector, urged the government to allocate resources and implement policies to enhance broadband infrastructure, meeting the targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan.

The report stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to address power outages and infrastructure vulnerabilities affecting Internet service.

The importance of implementing measures to combat disinformation while preserving freedom of speech during election periods and beyond was also harped on with an emphasis on ensuring full compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and addressing any legislative or regulatory gaps.

According to PIN, enhancing transparency and accountability in the operations of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and supporting its independence as established by law will be critical to achieving digital rights.

There is also a recommendation that the government should respond promptly to Freedom of Information requests to uphold transparency in the USPF, stressing the importance of publishing comprehensive reports on fund utilisation, strategic focus and achievements to keep the public informed.