A recent report by Spaces for Change (S4C), a Nigerian civil society organization, has revealed that Nigeria has allocated approximately $623 million toward surveillance and intercept technologies. The findings were presented by S4C’s Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, during the West Africa Civil Society Week (WACSW) in Abuja, organized in partnership with the Civic Space Resource Hub, West Africa Civil Society Institute, and the Ford Foundation. Themed “Leveraging Technology for Civic Engagement and Social Change in West Africa,” the event highlighted the implications of these surveillance measures on civic freedoms and rights.

Ibezim-Ohaeri noted that the Nigerian government invested around $40 million in intercept technology and $583 million in public surveillance, primarily with Chinese tech firms. She underscored that prioritizing security over essential services such as healthcare and education raises questions about Nigeria’s commitment to human rights.

The report contextualized Nigeria’s surveillance history, linking colonial-era practices to modern state monitoring. Ibezim-Ohaeri pointed out that colonial surveillance tactics, initially designed to control dissent, persist today with security agencies suppressing civic voices. These surveillance expansions intensified under military regimes, leading to repressive laws curbing press freedoms and targeting journalists and activists.

Key findings included the pervasive use of imported surveillance technologies from countries like Israel, China, and the United States, posing risks due to their dual-use nature. “The unchecked proliferation of these technologies creates avenues for misuse by state and non-state actors,” Ibezim-Ohaeri stated.

The report called for reforms, emphasizing stronger regulatory oversight and transparent procurement processes to safeguard civil liberties. “We need a commitment to human rights from the production stage onward to prevent misuse of these tools,” she urged.

The WACSW 2024 aims to explore how West Africa can use technology to foster civic engagement while remaining vigilant against its potential for repression. Ibezim-Ohaeri expressed gratitude to supporters, including the Ford Foundation and New Venture Fund, for backing S4C’s work on technology accountability in Africa.