A coalition of over 35 organizations have strongly condemned the intentional disruption of access to the internet in Nigeria following protests that erupted in several states across the country on August 1, 2024.
In a statement addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the coalition described the internet disruptions as an “unacceptable breach of established norms and standards under regional and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a State party.”
The coalition’s statement cited investigative reports and individual measurements by netizens, which revealed “throttling of internet speed nationwide, aimed at slowing down information dissemination” during the protests against bad governance.
The coalition argued that the “weaponization of Internet disruptions and blocking or shutdowns during political unrest only exacerbates the underlying concerns of citizens.” These shutdowns, they said, violate Chapter four of Nigeria’s Constitution that guarantees citizens’ rights to freedom of conscience, expression, assembly, and association.
The coalition referenced Article 9(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which guarantees access to information as the right to receive information, a principle also upheld by Article 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, the coalition noted that the ECOWAS Court had previously declared Nigeria’s seven-month Twitter ban in 2021 as unlawful, violating the freedom of expression of people in Nigeria.
The coalition called on the Nigerian government to respect citizens’ rights and immediately cease further disruptions of network services and attempts at future network shutdowns. They emphasized the importance of keeping all communication channels open during uncertain times to ensure citizens can communicate seamlessly and access accurate information.
