Yemi Obafemi
The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to compel internet service providers to block all websites hosting obscene and pornographic content.
This move aims to curb the spread of explicit material, which lawmakers believe is detrimental to the country’s moral fabric.
The call was made during a plenary session, where Rep. Dalhatu Tafoki emphasized the need for action.
The motion titled “Need to Block Internet Websites Hosting Pornographic Contents and Sanction Defaulting Internet Service Providers (ISPS)” Tafoki cite the negative effects of pornography on marriage, family life, and society as a whole.
Tafiki said Nigeria is a nation that strongly upholds its religious values, with all major faiths firmly opposed to indecent exposure and immoral content.
This sentiment was echoed by a lawmaker, who noted that many countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have enacted laws banning the distribution and access to such materials.
The lawmaker said : “Concerned deeply that some of the immediate effects of viewing pornographic contents include causing deception in marriage and which may later on, affect family life, promoting adultery, prostitution and many unreal expectations that can result in dangerous promiscuous behavior; leading to addiction, escalation, desensitization and acting out sexually by one person, change of attitude towards oneself and his family.
Taofiki acknowledged the warnings from experts in psychology and sociology about the negative effects of certain content on individuals’ mental and social well-being.
As a result, the House adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
