Reps urge NCC to block pornographic websites nationwide

• Published On: 12 March 2025 at 07:14

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to direct Internet Service Providers to block access to websites that contain obscene or pornographic content.

Dalhatu Tafoki (APC-Katsina) moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, prompting the call.

While presenting the motion, Mr. Tafoki stated that cyber pornography is rapidly becoming a global issue, with no concrete steps taken to address it in Nigeria.

He pointed out that Nigeria is a religious country, and all major religions forbid nudity and obscenity in any form.

According to him, several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have passed laws prohibiting pornography.

"World-renowned psychologists and sociologists have issued stern warnings about the psychological, sociological, and mental consequences of viewing pornographic content.

"Some of the immediate effects of viewing pornographic content include deception in marriage, which may have an impact on family life in the future.

"It encourages adultery, prostitution, and other unrealistic expectations, which can lead to dangerous promiscuous behaviour.

"It leads to addiction, escalation, desensitisation and acting out sexually by one person as well as change of attitude towards oneself and his family," he told me.

The House urged the NCC to enforce all provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act and the National Information Technology Development Act against defaulting ISPs.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the Communications and Legislative Compliance Committees to ensure implementation and provide a report within four weeks for further legislative action.