The Nigerian House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Commission Commission (NCC) to impose all Internet service providers (ISP) in the country to block access to pornographic websites, in what legislators say they are a decision to protect moral values.
The resolution was adopted Tuesday following a motion moved by Dalhatu Tafoki, a legislator of the state of Katsina, which argued that access without restriction to pornography eroded societal values, in particular among young Nigerians. Tafoki has cited the concerns of psychologists and sociologists, warning that explicit explicit exposure fuels adultery, prostitution, dependence and moral decline.
During its presentation, Tafoki underlined several countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East which have legislated against pornography, urging Nigeria to follow the plunge. He insisted that allowing continuous access to such content would have disastrous consequences for the moral fabric of the country.
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“Renowned psychologists and sociologists from around the world have issued solid warnings on the psychological, sociological and mental consequences of pornographic content consumption,” said Tafoki.
The motion was massively supported, many legislators emphasizing the need to protect Nigerian cultural and moral norms. In a vocal vote led by the president of the Tajudeen Abbas Chamber, the motion was adopted without opposition.
Critics call it a futile exercise
Following the resolution, the Chamber ordered the CCN to guarantee the immediate compliance of internet service providers, warning that service providers who do not comply should be sanctioned.
However, this decision sparked a wave of criticism from the Nigerians, many of whom consider it another priority moved by legislators. Critics arise from many fronts. Many believe that in an era when Nigeria faces serious economic difficulties, to worsen insecurity and a defaulting sector, the Chamber focuses on internet censorship instead of solving urgent national problems.
“Ruin priorities. With all urgent problems in Nigeria – economic crisis, insecurity, power shortages – what is the House of Representatives on? They should better channel this energy towards another fruitful thing, “said Akinkunmi Saheed on X.
Social media reactions have largely disdaining the directive, many stressing that it will probably be a futile exercise. They argue that drug addicts will easily bypass these restrictions using virtual private networks (VPN), which allow users to hide their location and access to blocked content.
Concerns about internet censorship and government overcoming
Beyond the practical aspect of the prohibition, it is to be feared that this decision can establish a precedent dangerous for government control on the Internet. Some digital rights activists warn that if the CCN applies restrictions on pornography, the next step could be a broader censorship of the content deemed “undesirable” by the government.
In recent years, Nigerian authorities have tried to suppress online freedom, including previous efforts to regulate social media and monitor digital communications. Under the anterior administration led by Muhammadu Buhari, social media platform X, then known as Twitter, was prohibited for about six months for having angry the government. Many believe that development has established a precedent that will occasionally enter into play, trying to tighten Nigerian civic space.
In this context, while legislators argue that the ban on pornography will help restore moral values, many Nigerians remain unconvinced, seeing it as another symbolic movement with little real impact. They note that questions like inflation, unemployment and the increase in the cost of living remain unanswered by the same legislators who are impatient to regulate what people are looking at in private.
“At least, because they cannot provide jobs, stable electricity, inflation to a figure, protection of lives and properties, food for Nigerian, housing and schoolchildren. They should be able to do something! Good job for them, ”wrote a social media user.
