Four months after the House of Representatives passed a resolution instructing the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to block access to pornographic websites in Nigeria, the directive remains unenforced.
The resolution was adopted on March 11, 2025, following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Dalhatu Tafoki, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State.
While presenting the motion, Tafoki raised concern over the growing access to sexually explicit content online. He noted that pornography contributes to promiscuity, promotes adultery and prostitution, and has damaging psychological and sociological consequences, especially for young people.
He further emphasized that all major religions in Nigeria reject nudity and obscenity and pointed to countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East that have outlawed pornography to preserve their moral standards.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and directed the NCC to collaborate with Internet Service Providers and relevant security agencies to block access to all pornographic websites accessible within the country.
Although the House did not assign a fixed timeline for enforcement, it mandated its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to monitor the implementation and report back within four weeks.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, supported the motion and warned that sanctions would be imposed on any service providers that fail to comply with the directive. He reiterated the National Assembly’s resolve to protect societal values and shield children from harmful digital content.
However, findings by Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper as of July 16, 2025, reveal that many well-known adult websites are still accessible through Nigerian networks.
Furthermore, short pornographic video clips, often referred to as “porn reels,” continue to trend on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram.
There has been no public statement from the NCC confirming whether it has commenced or concluded any steps toward enforcement. This continued silence has raised concerns about regulatory responsiveness and commitment to legislative resolutions, particularly on issues that affect youth development and public morality.
While the House outlined a clear oversight mechanism through its committees, the absence of immediate regulatory action continues to expose minors and vulnerable users to inappropriate online content.
The gap between policy declaration and execution remains a source of worry among stakeholders monitoring the situation.
