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Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has warned that Nigerians’ online data remains dangerously exposed, urging government and stakeholders to prioritise stronger digital rights safeguards as repeated data breaches continue to put citizens at risk.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, PIN’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, revealed that for the past three years, sensitive personal data—including that of the President, Vice President, ministers, senior military officers, and top government officials—has been available online at minimal cost.
“The data security problem is serious. Anyone with basic details such as a full name and date of birth can access sensitive information,” Sesan cautioned.
He stressed that while Nigeria has made strides in digital innovation, key rights such as privacy, online protection, freedom of expression, and access to information remain under persistent threat. These risks are compounded by arbitrary internet shutdowns, weak enforcement of data protection laws, surveillance practices, and inconsistent digital policies, eroding public trust and limiting Nigeria’s digital economy potential.
STANDS Project and Advocacy Gains
PIN highlighted its Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space (STANDS) Project as a catalyst for transformative change in Nigeria’s digital rights space. The project combines litigation, advocacy, evidence generation, and capacity building to safeguard citizens, influence policy, and establish stronger systems.
One key output, the Ikot Ekpene Declaration, provides judicial officers with a framework for integrating digital rights into rulings. PIN has also trained law enforcement personnel on digital security to improve enforcement practices.
Sesan expressed gratitude to PIN’s partners, including the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ford Foundation, Luminate, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Mott Foundation, Open Society Foundations, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the Internet Society Foundation, for sustaining the organisation’s advocacy at a time when many non-profits face funding challenges.
Broader Impact and Inclusion
PIN’s Chief Operating Officer, Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, highlighted the organisation’s broader impact, including the development of policy reports, digital toolkits, and award-winning short films. She also noted that PIN provides scholarships to students from Ajegunle, Lagos—where the organisation began—while continuing to transform the lives of young Africans across the continent.
Meanwhile, Khadijah El-Usman, Senior Programmes Officer for Anglophone West Africa, presented findings from the 2024 Nigeria Londa Report, which benchmarks Nigeria’s digital rights performance against the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
The 2024 assessment scored Nigeria 36 out of 60, placing it at a “moderately compliant” level, reflecting a mix of progress and persistent challenges. The report noted continuing gaps in internet affordability, data protection, freedom of expression, transparency, AI governance, and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
“This assessment is not just a research exercise. It directly reflects how over 200 million Nigerians experience their right to connect, to speak, to be protected online, and to participate in the digital economy,” El-Usman stated.
Persistent Barriers
Despite modest progress, affordability, poor connectivity, and digital literacy gaps remain critical barriers to meaningful participation in Nigeria’s digital economy. Rural communities, women, and persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected, limiting equitable access to opportunities in the digital space.
PIN emphasised that urgent action is needed to strengthen data protection frameworks, expand affordable internet access, and ensure inclusive participation—to safeguard Nigeria’s digital future and protect the rights of its citizens.
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