Why is free speech suppressed despite the law?

Two weeks ago, and well before the suspension of Twitter, I wrote on the continuous decline of internet freedom in Nigeria.

Admittedly, this was not simply by chance. It was on our radar because of the months of research that our sister team—Stears Data—had undertaken with Luminate, to map the data and digital rights space in Nigeria.

Our research included engaging with over 20 stakeholders from civil society organisations and media publications to academics, researchers and the public & private sector.

Unsurprisingly, the issues they raised then were alarming, even though they seemed distant. Unfortunately, in a twist of fate, we are now living through these alarming realities.

The most striking aspect of our research came up during the legislative and regulatory review of Nigeria’s digital rights framework. It was disappointing to see our legal system's limited ability to protect citizens' digital rights.

With the realities that now face us,