PRESENTATION OF THE SECURITY PLAYBOOK OF DIGITAL AUTHORITARIANISM IN NIGERIA & HARMS FROM ABROAD: IMPACT OF GLOBAL SECURITY MEASURES ON CIVIC SPACE IN NIGERIA

Spaces for Change, a non-governmental organization in Nigeria, organized a program to share the findings of its report on Digital Authoritarianism in Nigeria and the harms from abroad: the impact of global security measures on civic space in Nigeria. The event was held to issue a press briefing on its findings and recommendations to critical stakeholders in the Nigerian space. HAPI was present at the event alongside other media professionals and civil society organizations.

The press briefing was led by Mr. Oluseyi Olufemi from the Interactive Initiative for Social Impact (DATAPHYTE), who made the press statement on the action group on free civic space’s (AGFCS) report. Mr. Olufemi called for urgent measures to safeguard civic space in Nigeria, highlighting the report’s findings that revealed how security rhetoric is being used to restrict civic freedoms in the country. He also noted that the report presented the findings of a three-part study that examined how military and non-military measures, mostly copied from abroad and deployed to combat numerous security threats in the country, are creating opportunities for the use and abuse of counterterrorism (CT) and security laws to curtail civic freedoms and gradually becoming the dominant driver of closing civic space in Nigeria.

The action statement was signed by 11 organizations, including Interactive Initiative for Social Impact (DATAPHYTE), The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERS), Spaces for Change (S4C), Justice Rights Initiative (JRI), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI), World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE), SB Morgen Intelligence (SBM Intelligence), and Youths Right and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC).

During the event, panelists who led the conversation on government activities targeted at closing the civic space in Nigeria included representatives from the signing organizations. They presented their findings, with each organization speaking from its area of expertise, covering diverse thematic areas, including persons with disabilities, justice and civil rights, gender and women, and youth networks, amongst others.

The event was an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in discussions on the issues presented in the report and to recommend practical solutions that would help safeguard the civic space in Nigeria. It also provided an opportunity for organizations to collaborate and work together towards a common goal, ensuring that civic space in Nigeria is protected.

In conclusion, the Spaces for Change program provided a platform for critical stakeholders in Nigeria to examine the impact of global security measures on civic space and how to safeguard it. HAPI, along with other organizations, will continue to monitor and engage in activities aimed at ensuring that civic space in Nigeria remains open and protected.