World Impact Development Foundation, WIDEF, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to strengthen digital rights in Nigeria.
This strategic partnership formalises their collaboration in implementing Phase II of the Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria, SDRN, Project.
The MoU was signed by the Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, Mrs Rabi Anwar, representing the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, while the Technical Consultant for WIDEF on the SDRN Project Phase II, Mr Arome Agenyi, representing WIDEF’s Executive Director. Kingsley Godwin. WIDEF’s Program Officer, Paul Gwumapan and WIDEF’s Digital and Tech Policy Officer, Chisom Nwabugwu, witnessed the signing.
The aims and objectives of the partnership, among others, are to raise awareness about digital rights and their importance in Nigeria, increase citizens’ and stakeholders’ understanding of the threats posed by digital authoritarianism and advocate against human rights violations, including unauthorised surveillance of citizens’ online activities.
To achieve the aims and objectives, WIDEF and NHRC will undertake high level consultation on digital rights in Nigeria, bring together stakeholders to discuss the importance of digital rights and the threats posed by digital authoritarianism.
Through joint press conferences and social media campaigns, awareness about the partnership and its objectives will be raised and Digital Rights Online Education, DRONE, Project will be utilised and also educate citizens about their digital rights.
The partnership will also drive critical legal and policy reforms to safeguard civil liberties in the digital space. These include established clear guidelines to regulate digital surveillance, set up monitoring frameworks to ensure compliance with digital surveillance standards by government and private sector stakeholders.
The collaboration marks a decisive step toward fostering a free, open, and rights-respecting digital environment in Nigeria, where civil liberties are protected and citizens can fully exercise their digital rights without fear of surveillance or repression.
It would be recalled that the Safeguarding Digital Rights in Nigeria Project, SDRNP, was established under the auspices of the Action Group on Free Civic Space – The “Security Playbook” Project, with support from the Funds for Global Human Rights.
By working together, WIDEF and NHRC are committed to promoting and protecting digital rights in Nigeria, ensuring that citizens can enjoy the benefits of digital technology, while safeguarding their fundamental human rights.
