BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU/OGORAMAKA AMOS/PAUL EGEDE/RITA OYIBOKA
In a move that has ignited fierce public debate, the National Assembly recently imposed a ban on pornographic websites, citing moral and societal concerns. While some applaud the decision as a safeguard for cultural values, critics condemn it as an infringement on personal freedoms and a potential gateway to broader internet censorship. To unpack the implications, The Pointer spoke with civil society organizations (CSOs), activists, and experts across Nigeria. Their perspectives reveal a complex clash between morality, digital rights, and governance priorities.
Proponents argue the ban is a necessary step to shield society, particularly youth, from harmful content. Martha Ogbonna, a gender rights activist in Port Harcourt, offered cautious support: “Pornography perpetuates degrading portrayals of women, influencing real-world behaviour. Given Nigeria’s struggles with gender-based violence, this could address some root causes.”
Meanwhile, Rev James Okonkwo, a cleric, framed it as a moral imperative: “Pornography erodes marriages, mental health, and societal values. This ban aligns with our cultural and religious principles.”
However, even supporters question its effectiveness. According to Daniel Maxwell, a secondary school teacher in Rivers State, “A ban alone isn’t enough. We need comprehensive sex education to tackle why people turn to pornography in the first place.” He added, “You see kids watching and then attempting to mimic what they see, contributing to teen rape cases.”
However, critics warn the ban risks overreach, threatening personal liberties and setting a dangerous precedent. James (last name withheld), a cybersecurity consultant, argued: “Adults should have the right to choose their content, provided it doesn’t harm others. The government shouldn’t police morality.”
In the same vein, Mathew Thompson, a web developer, raised broader concerns: “This isn’t just about porn—it’s about control. What stops the government from blocking criticism next?”
Legal expert, Emeka Okoro questioned its constitutionality: “Nigeria is a secular state. The government has no business regulating private adult consumption. This could face legal challenges.”
Many activists accuse the government of prioritizing morality over urgent issues like unemployment and insecurity. Blessing Worgu, an economic analyst criticized the timing: “Millions are jobless and hungry, yet the government focuses on porn? This feels like a diversion from its failures.”
Henry Binabo, a Port Harcourt-based activist, agreed: “Pornography isn’t causing banditry or corruption. If the government cares about morality, it should invest in education and social services.”
The ban has stoked fears of escalating digital repression, recalling past attempts to regulate online speech through laws like the Social Media Bill. Mr George Godsent, a counsellor, warned: “This is a red flag. Once governments start censoring under ‘morality,’ political dissent often follows.” He also doubted the ban’s enforceability: “VPNs can bypass it, rendering the effort futile.” Another respondent, Mrs Betty Tamuno, a sociologist, echoed concerns: “This could be the start of a broader crackdown. We must resist before our digital freedoms vanish entirely.”
The ban’s technical enforcement raises privacy alarms. Amadi Godson, a security expert, cautioned: “Implementing this requires invasive surveillance. Nigerians should ask how their data will be used.”
Tech entrepreneur Mary Johnson stressed the internet’s role in empowerment: “Restricting content limits education and expression, harming marginalized groups most.”
Speaking with The Pointer, a youth leader at Winners Chapel, Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Jeffery Ubong strongly supported the proposed ban, emphasising the dangers of easy access to explicit content. “Pornography should be banned in Nigeria, with stringent punishments for those who produce, distribute, or access it. It is disturbing that a child can come across these things the moment they get hold of a smartphone. The fact that pornographic content spreads so easily through chat apps and social media makes it even worse. Many young lives are being ruined before they even understand the implications of what they are consuming. I don’t understand why the government hasn’t done more to regulate internet access to these harmful sites. Many countries have taken decisive action against pornography. China, for instance, has strict digital firewalls that prevent access to adult sites. The UK attempted to introduce an age verification system for adult content. If other nations see the dangers and take action, why should Nigeria allow it to thrive?
“The rise in deviant behaviour, sexual addiction, and even sexual violence among young people is linked to the widespread consumption of pornography. We can’t claim to be tackling moral decay while allowing unfettered access to explicit content. That’s why countries have started banning it,” he said.
Meanwhile, an Asaba-based educator, Mr. Somto Ugwu had a different perspective, arguing that banning pornography ignores the root causes of Nigeria’s moral decline. “If we take this argument seriously, shouldn’t we also ban violent movies and video games like Call of Duty? They expose young people to excessive violence and shape their worldview in ways we may not fully understand. Yet, we only seem to panic when it comes to sexuality.
“I think Nigerians are looking at this issue from a hypocritical and overly religious perspective. Will banning pornography magically fix the moral decay in our society? Did pornography make some parents buy laptops for their teenage sons to start online fraud (yahoo-yahoo)? Did porn cause the rise of ritual killings among the youth? Instead of chasing an ineffective ban, we should be addressing the real issues, poverty, lawlessness, and parental negligence. Those are the real roots of the problem,” he argued.
Likewise, Dr Maureen Umunna expressed scepticism about the feasibility of banning pornography, citing past failures in internet restrictions. “This is not the first time the government has tried to ban pornography. It was proposed in 2015, but nothing came of it. Even when Twitter was suspended, people used VPNs to access it. The same thing will happen if porn sites are banned. People will find a way around it. Instead of enforcing a ban that will likely fail, the government should focus on digital literacy and parental controls. Parents should be equipped with tools to filter content and monitor what their children consume online. Schools should also introduce proper sex education so that young people learn about healthy relationships instead of relying on pornography for information.
“Besides, if we are talking about moral corruption, what about Nollywood movies that glorify sexual promiscuity and transactional relationships? What about music videos aired on national television that are just as explicit as porn? We can’t pretend that porn is the only factor responsible for the decline in values. The issue is bigger than that. Banning porn is like treating a symptom while ignoring the disease. If we truly want to address the moral decline, we need to fix the system, starting with education, parenting, and proper sex education,” she stressed.
Speaking with the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, he expressed strong support for the ban on pornography, describing it as a necessary step toward fostering a safer and more morally upright society. His endorsement aligns with growing national concerns over the increasing exposure of young people to explicit content and its potential long-term consequences on their psychological and social development.
Prof. Tonukari emphasized that unrestricted access to pornography has had damaging effects on the minds of children and young adults, shaping unrealistic perceptions of relationships, encouraging unhealthy behaviours, and contributing to the erosion of traditional moral values.
He noted that pornography consumption among young people has become more prevalent due to the rise of digital technology, making regulatory measures essential to protect future generations.
The Commissioner further argued that beyond the individual impact, widespread access to explicit material has broader social implications, including increased cases of sexual exploitation, harassment, and other related crimes. He believes that by taking a firm stance against pornography, the government is prioritizing the well-being of its citizens and ensuring that young people grow up in an environment free from the negative influences of explicit content.
He stressed that the government’s priority should be to safeguard the younger generation from harmful influences, calling for collaborative efforts between parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure that the ban is effective. He also highlighted the importance of comprehensive sex education, urging schools to equip students with the necessary knowledge to develop healthy attitudes toward relationships and sexuality responsibly.
Meanwhile, some residents in Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area who spoke with our correspondent on the issue has responded in different ways to the recent attempt made by the Nigerian Senate seeking a proposal for a bill to ban pornographic websites in Nigeria.
Mr Ifeanyi Abiamuwe, a social activist said ‘’it is a welcome development, a wise move in the right direction if the government has decided to ban porn sites because most of that sites are not healthy for our youths and our teenagers as well. Its contents are corrupt and it has the power to corrupt the mind and the sense of reasoning. Despite the money derived from it, it is out of moral for one to be posting nude pictures and videos for others to watch.
Abiamuwe added that the ban on porn sites has nothing to do with distraction to the government in the provision of social amenities to the citizens as well as providing security, employment, among others. ‘’Government have different ministries and committees responsible for different affairs to meet the need of the citizens.’’ He added, ‘’although sometimes, our government officials go after minor issues that will not be beneficiary to its populace and therefore abandon the main issues at hand.’’
He said ‘’although we have the right of expression as citizens, such should also be censored by the government to bring sanity’’ adding ‘’it may not go down well with everyone at first but that’s why we elected our lawmakers to make policies from time to time according to current situations to ensure our moral is intact.’’
Mr Abiamuwe suggested that the censorship should go beyond the Internet, as he appealed to the government at all levels to set up committees ‘’to checkmate indecent dressing among our youth as most young girls go out half naked in major cities and towns which are negative effects of social media.
Meanwhile, Labour Party councillor candidate in the last local government election, Mr Ehima Nweke said, ‘’Banning porn sites is not the problem of Nigerians and it will not solve the problem of Nigerians. The challenges in Nigeria are beyond pornography sites.
He added ‘’porn is as old as man himself, it has long been in existence in the form of pictures, magazines, and videos although not rampant as today because of technology.’’ He said ‘’as long as we use technology, it will be difficult to control because we have the good and the bad in it.
Similarly, Mr Nicholas Ebegboni, said he did not support the ban on pornographic sites. ‘’I think it’s an infringement on personal freedom.’’ He added that banning pornographic sites is a total distraction, it does not in any way contribute to the lives of the populace. I think the government is just looking for ways to draw the people’s attention away from pressing issues. Besides, how does one watching pornography affect the government or the next person? It’s not anybody’s business what one does with one’s time or money, provided it doesn’t affect the next person negatively. In my candid opinion, does Nigeria have the capacity to censor anything? It’s just noise to distract the people from harping on real issues as it affects them.
Another resident in Agbor, Mr Ebube Yeolawa in his response said ‘’our governments are clueless and idealess; just running around circles to raise issues where there are none. They’ve left the important and pressing issues to focus on the irrelevant. How does pornographic site eradication reduce unemployment, cost of survival, rent and even price of rice?
However, Ven Israel Asala, an activist said ‘’In the Western world, based on legislation and freedom of expression, porn is seen as legal, normal and accepted by society as a way of life, especially for adults. As a result, pornography has steadily crept into Africa, Nigeria to be precise, and become a hydra-headed monster that has destroyed the very fabrics of moral and societal decency.’’
Ven. Israel added ‘’for the Government to come up with the decision to ban pornography, it is a welcome development to help steer the moral ship that must have veered off course and redirect our consciences to more worthwhile ventures.’’
Continuing, he said ‘’banning pornography in Nigeria will ensure certain laws are enacted (if it has not been done already) and if they are strict, will help bring urgent remedy and restoration to an already decaying society.
‘’Furthermore, since the government is saddled with the responsibility of leading the people aright, despite the shortcomings, dealing with the issue of pornography is a way of tackling one of the many issues plaguing Nigeria from the roots, saving the face of the government before the people and also restoring hope and trust to the common man in the government of the day.
‘’Although there appear to be issues of greater magnitude like unemployment and insecurity, this ban will help check wanton desires that stem from pornography which invariably give rise to desires that prompt rape, sexual assault, child abuse, gender-based violence, ultimately culminating in insecurity and unemployment.
‘’Remember, when the mind is idle, pornography is one way to keep it occupied. When it is banned, it’s another way of forcing it (mind) to occupy itself with more enterprising ventures.
According to him, ‘’the ban of pornography in Nigeria is corroborating the biblical injunction and thus is highly supported. For adult minds, we have seen all manner of sins flagrantly committed all in the name of pornography and freedom of expression.
This has given rise to different health issues not to mention sexually-transmitted diseases that have caused fortunes to be expended by different foundations and organisations all in the bid to save human lives.
That’s why in the Bible, we find one out of many instances: “If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their heads”(Leviticus 20:16).
Meanwhile, Mr Akinola Aladejowo, a journalist said that the Nigerian government’s decision to ban pornographic websites has stirred a lot of controversy, and ‘’honestly, I condemn it in strong terms. I understand the argument that pornography may have negative moral and social effects, but I can’t help but wonder—is this really what Nigeria needs right now? With all the economic struggles, insecurity, and lack of opportunities, shouldn’t the government be focusing on bigger issues?
Mr Akinola said ‘’morality isn’t something you can enforce through government bans. A society’s values are built through education, good parenting, and strong social structures, not by blocking websites. Even in countries where pornography is banned, people still find ways to access it. So, if the goal is to create a more “morally upright” society, I don’t think this ban will achieve that.
“What worries me more is the issue of personal freedom and digital rights. As an adult, I believe I should have the right to decide what I consume online, as long as it’s legal and doesn’t harm anyone. It feels like an overreach when the government starts deciding what content is acceptable for people to watch in their private spaces” he emphasized.
‘’And let’s be honest—how effective will this ban even be? People who want to access adult content will simply use VPNs or alternative platforms. The internet is too vast to be completely controlled, and the harder the government tries to restrict it, the more people will find ways around it. If the government wants to protect society, shouldn’t it be focusing on better education and awareness programs instead of trying to control what adults do online?
