The World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would significantly enhance digital rights in Nigeria. Their cooperation in carrying out Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria (SDRN) Project Phase II is now formally formalized through this strategic alliance.
Mr. Arome Agenyi, Technical Consultant for WIDEF on the SDRN Project Phase II, representing Kingsley Godwin, Executive Director of WIDEF, and Mrs. Rabi Anwar, Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, representing Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, signed the Memorandum of Understanding. The signing was observed by Chisom Nwabugwu, the organization’s digital and tech policy officer, and Paul Gwumapan, the organization’s program officer.
The partnership’s goals included educating the public about digital rights and their significance in Nigeria, helping stakeholders and citizens recognize the dangers of digital authoritarianism, and speaking out against violations of human rights, such as the unapproved monitoring of people’s online activities.
WIDEF and NHRC will carry out the following significant actions of high level consultation on digital rights in Nigeria in order to meet the goals and objectives: gather stakeholders to talk about the significance of digital rights and the dangers of digital authoritarianism.
The Digital Rights Online Education (DRONE) Project will be used to teach citizens about their digital rights and to increase awareness of the partnership and its goals through a joint press conference and social media campaign.
Important legislative and regulatory changes to protect civil liberties in the digital sphere will also be pushed by this alliance. This entails creating explicit regulations for digital surveillance and putting in place monitoring systems to make sure that stakeholders in the public and commercial sectors are adhering to the standards for digital surveillance.
With civil liberties safeguarded and citizens able to fully enjoy their digital rights without fear of repression or surveillance, the partnership represents a significant step toward creating a free, open, and rights-respecting digital environment in Nigeria.
Recall that the Funds for Global Human Rights provided assistance for the creation of the Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria Project (SDRNP), which was made possible by the Action Group on Free Civic Space – The “Security Playbook” Project. To ensure that Nigerians can take use of digital technology while preserving their fundamental human rights, WIDEF and the NHRC are collaborating to promote and defend digital rights throughout the country.
