ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's House of Representatives on Tuesday directed its telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to immediately block all porn websites across the country and to enforce that ban.
Local internet service providers (ISPs) have been instructed to block access to adult websites in an effort to uphold societal values and curb "moral decay."
According to PRNigeria, Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House, warned that penalties would be imposed on ISPs that fail to comply with the new law.
The motion was led by lawmaker Dalhatu Tafoki, who argued that pornography contradicts Nigeria’s religious and cultural principles, while posing significant psychological and sociological risks.
"Nigeria is a highly religious country, and all major religions condemn nudity and obscenity," said Tafoki, who believes that Nigeria needs to take more serious steps to curb porn consumption. "Many nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have implemented strict regulations against pornography, and Nigeria must take similar steps."
Tafoka also cited "renowned psychologists and sociologists" and recited a familiar litany of concerns often floated by anti-porn crusaders: alleged increased rates of adultery, prostitution and addiction.
After deliberating on the matter, the House adopted the motion. However, the ruling has sparked concerns that such censorship could set a dangerous precedent for internet freedom in Nigeria.
Gbenga Sesan, the executive director of telecom firm Paradigm Initiative, told Nigerian news site Punch that he thought lawmakers had the wrong priorities.
"The obsession of our National Assembly with pornography and everything else apart from good governance is quite worrying," he told Punch, adding that legitimate media websites such as Naij.com have been shut down as part of past crackdowns.
Sesan said that Nigeria "has bigger problems, including those addressed in the cybercrime law Hon. Tafoki may have suddenly discovered. One hopes that he will soon discover the sections that discuss tampering with critical infrastructure, cyber terrorism, [and] cyber fraud, so he can wield his legislative stick where it is better required."
Ejike Onyeaso, a telecom executive at Adaba Consult, also criticized the decision.
“The telecommunications industry might have the power to shut down sites, but it needs to be balanced with citizens’ rights,” Onyeaso told Punch. “It’s one thing to regulate content on broadcasting platforms like pay TV, but websites operate differently. If an adult chooses to visit a site in private, should the government interfere?"
While the NCC has yet to comment on the blistering response the edict has provoked, its committees on communications and legislative compliance are expected to report back on the matter within the next four weeks.