By Adamu Yusuf
Accountability Lab Nigeria has raised concern over the growing cases of digital rights violations in the country, with a focus on Kaduna State, and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenge.
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Associate of the organization, Mr. Alfred Agu, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Kaduna.
He explained that the meeting brought together participants from various sectors, including the Open Government Partnership (OGP), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), students, creatives, journalists, and civil society organizations.
According to him, the aim was to identify digital rights violations affecting communities in Kaduna State, examine existing response mechanisms, and address gaps in feedback and resolution processes.
Mr. Agu stressed the need for greater public awareness on digital rights, noting that such rights are as important as fundamental human rights.
Mr. Agu added that the Nigerian Data Protection Act provides the legal framework for safeguarding citizens’ data and privacy.
He urged participants to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Act and promote awareness among their respective communities and organizations.
The Accountability Lab official also encouraged institutions to take proactive steps to ensure the privacy and safety of personal data belonging to participants and beneficiaries.
He further called on stakeholders to serve as community advocates by identifying and reporting digital rights abuses through the Vipoti platform.
Mr. Agu said the platform, developed through a partnership between Paradigm Initiative and Accountability Lab, enables citizens to report violations online while providing access to pro bono legal support, technology experts, and law enforcement agencies for investigation and resolution of cases.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the organization to strengthening digital rights protection and accountability in Kaduna State and across Nigeria.
In an interview, a participant at the digital rights sensitization programme in Kaduna, Miss Phoebe Thomas Aruwa, called for increased public awareness on the importance of protecting rights in the digital space.
Miss Thomas Aruwa, a biomedical engineer from Kaduna State, described the programme as enlightening, noting that it provided valuable knowledge on issues relating to digital rights and online safety.
She explained that the digital space is a virtual environment where people interact, share ideas, and express themselves, just as they do in the physical world.
According to her, this makes the protection of digital rights as important as the protection of fundamental human rights.
The participant noted that information shared online often influences people’s actions in real life, making it necessary for citizens to understand their responsibilities and rights while using digital platforms.
Miss Thomas Aruwa emphasized that promoting digital rights in Nigeria requires collective effort, adding that individuals who have acquired such knowledge should extend it to others in their workplaces, religious centres, and communities.
She encouraged Nigerians to adopt simple online safety measures such as two-step authentication and account verification on social media platforms, saying such steps could go a long way in protecting users from digital threats.
Miss Thomas Aruwa commended the organizers of the programme for creating awareness and empowering participants with practical tools for safer digital engagement.
