The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), has introduced a pivotal Whitepaper on the Framework for an Online Harms Protection Bill in Nigeria.
This initiative represents a major step forward in addressing the rising challenges of online harms while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment for all Nigerians.
The Whitepaper is an outcome of Nigeria’s first-ever Content Moderation and Online Safety Summit, held in July 2022, and hosted by API, an African non-profit committed to advancing digital innovation and inclusive policymaking. The document lays the groundwork for a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard Nigerians in the digital space and protect against a myriad of online threats.
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“Despite existing regulations, the complexities of the digital environment require a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to online safety for Nigerians,” the document said.
The document identifies the pervasive nature of online harms, highlighting the risks posed to children and vulnerable groups. It offers an in-depth analysis of global regulatory efforts while proposing strategies tailored to Nigeria’s unique digital industry.
“This white paper underscores the importance of regulatory measures broadly, and for children and minorities especially, and calls for a collaborative and data-driven approach to crafting a framework to ensure a safer digital environment for all,” the Agency stated.
NITDA acknowledges that previous efforts, including the Cybercrime Act of 2015 and the Internet Code of Practice, have been insufficient in addressing the evolving challenges of online safety. The agency stresses the need for a more robust approach, stating that the complexities of the digital environment demand a collaborative and comprehensive strategy to ensure online safety for all Nigerians.
The Whitepaper is designed to spark a national conversation about combating online harms. It aims to guide the development of policies that strike a balance between regulatory oversight and fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem. It seeks to serve as a foundation for drafting a legal framework to promote online safety while encouraging inclusive participation from stakeholders across various sectors. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government agencies, civil society, businesses, and the wider public to address the complexities of digital safety.
At its core, the document highlights the urgent need to protect children and minorities and calls for a data-driven approach to crafting effective policies.
NITDA has called on all stakeholders, including businesses, civil society organizations, local and international internet platforms, and the general public, to review the Whitepaper and provide feedback. The agency has set up a dedicated secretariat to collect responses, which will inform further discussions among stakeholder groups before a final bill is drafted.
Over the years, Nigeria has implemented several regulations to address online harms. Notable among these are the Cybercrime Act of 2015, the Internet Code of Practice introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2017, and the National Broadcasting Code of 2020. Additionally, NITDA’s Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, introduced in 2022, was another significant step.
Legislative proposals such as the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill of 2019, the controversial Social Media Bill, and the NBC Amendment Bill of 2023 have also been introduced to protect citizens from online dangers.
However, there are concerns regarding the inadequacies of these regulations, particularly their perceived potential to stifle civic spaces and infringe on human rights.
NITDA has clarified that the Whitepaper is not a definitive regulatory guide but rather a research-driven document intended to facilitate discussions and refine policy directions. This approach allows stakeholders to collaborate on creating a framework that balances regulatory action with fostering innovation and inclusivity in the digital ecosystem.
However, many believe that this initiative has the potential to set a new standard for digital governance in Nigeria. With stakeholder feedback and continued dialogue, the framework for the Online Harms Protection Bill is expected to mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a more secure and inclusive digital future.