Reps directs NCC to block all pornographic websites in Nigeria

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to compel internet service providers to block all pornographic websites in the country.

The decision, made on Tuesday follows concerns about the negative impact of cyber pornography, including its links to adultery, prostitution, and addiction.

The motion, sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Katsina State, emphasized that Nigeria, as a highly religious nation, should not allow content that promotes nudity and obscenity.

While child pornography is already illegal in Nigeria under the Child Rights Act and the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act of 2015, there has been no nationwide ban on adult pornography. However, certain states, such as Lagos, have laws prohibiting the public display of explicit sexual material.

This new directive marks a significant step toward nationwide regulation of adult content. The NCC has been instructed to enforce the ban immediately and penalize internet service providers that fail to comply.

Despite this directive, questions remain about how effectively such a ban can be implemented. Previous attempts to regulate online content in Nigeria have faced challenges, including concerns over censorship and the technical difficulties of blocking websites.