About 4 months after it was passed by lawmakers, Nigeria’s President is yet to sign the country’s Nigeria’s Digital Rights and Freedom Bill into law. The law protects human rights online for internet users in Nigeria.
Hailed as an affirmation of government officials’ understanding that Nigerians deserve a free and open web which guarantees online spaces will be rights-inclusive, so they can engage online securely and freely, the decision of the lawmakers to approve the bill was recognised while its delay has been condemned by industry players including the Web Foundation.
Web Foundation’s Interim Policy Director, Nnenna Nwakanma, said:
“This Bill is important right now, not only for the digital rights of Nigerians, but as a signal that Nigeria intends to be a regional tech leader. We’re urging the National Assembly to put this forward to the presidency for signature as a matter of urgency so Nigerian web users can be protected in an online environment that guarantees them the same rights online as offline.”
In a statement, the foundation called for urgent actions regarding the Bill so that Nigerians are ensured the protection of internet freedom and the fundamental rights of expression, assembly and association online.
“The gains of a robust digital rights environment are huge, and the potential for a more robust digital economy are even greater. The Digital Rights Freedom Bill is a great step that needs to be concluded quickly,” Web Foundation stated.
