Social Media Clampdown in Nigeria: A Threat to Freedom of Speech

In  August 2025, Nigeria entered a new and troubling phase in its digital landscape as the government tightened its grip on social media through the enforcement of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. 

While presented as a measure to maintain order and security, these sweeping regulations strike at the heart of freedom of speech and the right of citizens to freely express themselves online.

From the Twitter Ban to the Cybercrimes Act

This crackdown is not without precedent. Nigerians still recall the 2021 indefinite suspension of Twitter (now X) after the platform flagged a presidential tweet. That ban silenced millions and highlighted the state’s willingness to suppress critical voices. Though the suspension was lifted in 2022 under strict government conditions, the precedent was clear: online expression in Nigeria exists at the mercy of those in power.

Enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act (2025)

The updated Cybercrimes Act goes far beyond curbing genuine cybercrime. It now criminalizes a wide range of online activities, many of which fall under legitimate free expression.

Spreading “false information” online can lead to two years in prison — yet “falsehood” is loosely defined and often determined by political interests.

Inciting ethnic or religious hatred carries a life sentence, a provision vulnerable to misuse against activists and journalists.

Group administrators on platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook can be punished for user posts, discouraging open conversations.

Already in 2025, authorities report shutting down over 13 million accounts and deleting 58 million posts, a mass silencing that goes beyond targeting harmful content.

Mandatory Local Registration for Platforms

A new Senate bill seeks to require social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, under the guise of accountability. In practice, this could expose platforms to political intimidation and force them into compliance with restrictive laws — further eroding users’ digital rights.

Regulation of Influencers and Content Creators

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) have intensified scrutiny of influencers and creators. While regulation of scams and misleading ads is valid, the broader powers handed to government agencies risk curtailing independent voices and branding dissent as “illegal promotion.”

The Bigger Picture: Freedom of Expression Under Siege

Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression, yet these developments show a systematic narrowing of that space.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, warn that these measures are designed less to protect citizens and more to silence dissent.

Citizens have historically resisted, from using VPNs during the Twitter ban to finding creative ways to speak truth to power — a testament to the resilience of Nigerians in defending their voices.

Why Media Free Speech Matters :

Free speech is not a luxury — it is the foundation of democracy, accountability, and progress. By stifling online expression:

Voices of ordinary citizens are muted.

Journalists and activists face criminalization.

Public debate is replaced with fear and self-censorship.

The clampdown on social media is not just about controlling technology — it is about controlling thought, conversation, and dissent. For Nigeria to thrive in the digital age, freedom of speech must be protected, not persecuted.