Nigeria recorded 245 civic space violations in 2025 – WSCIJ report

Nigeria recorded 245 instances of civic space violations in 2025, according to a report released by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). These violations, which include actions restricting freedom of expression, assembly, and association, were documented through monitoring of reports from 54 media organizations over the course of the year. The report, titled Silenced Voices, Shrinking Space: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure, highlights a continued erosion of civil liberties despite Nigeria's status as a democracy with constitutional protections for fundamental rights. The data was gathered systematically by tracking reports published between January and December 2025. A total of 570 media reports referenced these incidents, though many were duplicates. To ensure accuracy, each incident was verified using multiple credible sources, and key informant interviews were conducted where necessary. Incidents reported by multiple outlets were tallied once to prevent redundancy. The final count of 245 verified incidents reflects the cumulative effect of civic space violations across both physical and digital domains. Of the 245 incidents, 219 involved actions taken by state actors, with the Nigeria Police Force playing a central role in 118 of those cases. The remaining 26 incidents were attributed to non-state entities. The report emphasized that the nature of civic space violations had evolved significantly, shifting from primarily targeting journalists and activists to encompassing a wider range of citizens engaged in public discourse and democratic processes. Non-violent administrative, legal, and institutional measures accounted for 145 of the 245 incidents, nearly 59 percent of the total. These included arrests, detentions, harassment, and regulatory sanctions such as fines issued by the National Broadcasting Commission. Arrests alone made up nearly one-third of all non-violent violations, with 49 cases recorded. Detention followed closely behind with 21 incidents, while harassment contributed another 15 cases. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, noted that Abuja and Lagos were the primary locations where these violations occurred. He described the findings as indicative of ongoing challenges for journalism and civic engagement in Nigeria, even within a democratic framework. The report was scrutinized prior to its official release by a multidisciplinary panel including academics, former law enforcement officials, and representatives from civil society organizations. The panel included Ernest Ereke, a professor of political economy and development studies at the University of Abuja; Austin Iwar, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police; Juliana Francis, publisher of Security News Alert; Theophilus Abbah, Executive Director of Daily Trust Foundation; Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change; and Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director and CEO of WSCIJ. Their review aimed to validate the methodology and conclusions drawn from the data. The report underscores a troubling trend in which civic freedoms are increasingly curtailed through legal and bureaucratic means rather than overt violence. This approach allows authorities to suppress dissent without direct confrontation, making it harder for victims to seek redress. The involvement of the police in nearly half of the state-related incidents suggests systemic issues within law enforcement regarding accountability and adherence to due process. As the findings gain attention, they are likely to fuel calls for reform and greater transparency in how state institutions interact with citizens and journalists. Civil society groups have already begun advocating for stronger protections for free speech and press freedom, citing the report as evidence of a deepening crisis in Nigeria’s democratic practices.