IBY
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The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to instruct internet service providers to block all websites hosting obscene and pornographic content in the country with immediate effect.
The resolution was passed on Tuesday following a motion sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina State.
While presenting his motion, Tafoki argued that cyber pornography had become a global issue and that Nigeria had not taken adequate steps to curb its spread. He described Nigeria as a “highly religious country” where major faiths prohibit nudity and obscenity.
He further noted that several countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East had already enacted laws banning pornography.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological, and mental consequences of viewing pornographic content,” Tafoki said.
He also cited concerns that pornography could encourage adultery, prostitution, and addiction, leading to a decline in moral values.
When Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote, the lawmakers unanimously supported it.
As a result, the House has instructed the NCC to impose penalties on internet service providers that fail to comply with the directive.
This move follows ongoing debates on internet regulation in Nigeria, with stakeholders expressing varying opinions on balancing censorship and digital rights.
While the resolution has been passed, it remains unclear how the NCC will implement the directive and how internet service providers will enforce the ban. Legal experts have also raised concerns about the practicality of restricting access to such content in an era of VPNs and encrypted platforms.
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