Nigeria has ranked among the top eight African countries stifling press freedom through legislation.
A report on press freedom by the Centre for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) revealed that no fewer than 67 journalists were jailed across Africa in 2024.
In several cases, governments used laws as tools of oppression to stifle journalists’ voices, including in Nigeria
Notable cases in the past year include journalist Agba Jalingo, who was prosecuted for a report accusing a relative of former Cross River governor Ben Ayade of engaging someone to sit for an examination on her behalf.
Another case involved Foundation for Investigative Journalism reporter Daniel Ojukwu, who was detained by police for publishing a report linking the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Orelope Adefulire, to alleged corruption.
In a video interview, the Africa program coordinator at CPJ, Muthoki Mumo, says the report highlights a global trend in which authoritarian regimes weaponize laws against journalists, using national security, anti-terror and cybercrime legislation to justify crackdowns.
“In Nigeria, you have four journalists behind bars being prosecuted under cybercrime legislation in connection to their reporting on corruption” he said.
Despite pleas from civil society organisations (CSOs), including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), urging the Nigerian government to end press oppression under the act, the issue persists.
According to the report, at least 67 journalists are imprisoned across Africa, reflecting the continent’s ongoing struggle for a free press.
Egypt topping the list as the worst jailer of journalists in Africa, with 17 held followed by Eritrea, Burundi, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Senegal.
