Kalu Calls for Urgent Regulation of Nigeria’s Digital Space to Protect Citizens from Online Harms

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for the urgent establishment of a citizen-focused legal framework to regulate Nigeria’s digital space and combat the rising tide of cybercrime, misinformation, and online abuse—particularly targeting women and young people.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), Kalu cited alarming statistics on cyberbullying, hate speech, and digital harassment. He warned that without firm, people-centred regulations, the most vulnerable users would remain exposed to online threats.

“As someone who has personally experienced cyberbullying and misinformation, I can attest to how damaging the digital space can be when left unregulated,” Kalu said. “This is not merely a technical issue—it is a societal one. We must ensure the digital world upholds the safety, dignity, and rights of every Nigerian.”

He urged all stakeholders to contribute to a comprehensive legislative framework that would hold big tech platforms accountable while fostering responsible online engagement.

Reiterating the National Assembly’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights in the digital age, Kalu stressed the need to strike a balance between innovation and human rights protections.

Also speaking, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa echoed the call for a rights-based digital regulatory framework, noting the growing influence of tech platforms over public discourse.

“Algorithms now shape what we see, know, and even think. This is unaccountable power that must be addressed through collective action,” Inuwa stated.

In her remarks, API Co-founder Victoria Manya described the digital space as the new public square—simultaneously a classroom, courtroom, and battlefield. She argued that governance of this space must be rooted in fairness, rights, and responsibility.

“The internet didn’t break society; it revealed it,” Manya said. “Regulation isn’t about clinging to the past—it’s about building a future where innovation doesn’t come at the cost of accountability.”