By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The Nigerian House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the blocking of all pornographic websites in the country.
The House also instructed the Commission to compel all internet service providers to block such content immediately.
The motion was sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina State.
While presenting the motion, Tafoki emphasized that cyber pornography is a growing global concern and noted that Nigeria has not done enough to address the issue.
According to him, Nigeria is a “highly religious country” where significant faiths preach against and prohibit nudity and obscenity.
The lawmaker further stated that several countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have enacted laws banning pornography.
To support his argument, the Katsina lawmaker referenced warnings from psychologists and sociologists about the negative impact of pornography.
According to him, pornography could lead to adultery, prostitution, and addiction.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological, and mental consequences of viewing pornographic content,” he said.
Following the debate, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote, and lawmakers voted in favor of it.
The House subsequently directed the NCC to impose penalties on service providers that fail to comply with the directive.
