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Claim: An X user claims pornography has been banned in Nigeria.
Verdict: Misleading. Although the House of Representatives has ordered the National Communications Commission (NCC) to shut down all websites that share pornographic content, the motion has not been implemented. Besides, the NCC has not reported that it has adopted or would enforce the policy.
Full Text
Earlier in March 2025, the House of Representatives ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce the immediate shutdown of pornography websites in the country.
Dalhatu Tafoki, a member representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa federal constituency, proposed the bill before the rest of the house adopted it. He said that pornography is “fast becoming a global problem,” and no measure has been adopted to curb it.
Following the recent development, an X user, @it_Rutie, on March 24, 2025, shared a post that Nigeria has banned pornography.
“Nigeria has banned porn,” the popular X social media influencer wrote.
As of Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the post had attracted about 112000 views, 470 comments, 170 retweets, 2900 likes, and 33 bookmarks.
However, other X users expressed doubts about the post’s authenticity and stated that they could still access pornography websites. But a few believed it.
“I just watched one naw naw,” @drayzky wrote.
“Debunk this news all fake. We already know how Ruth operates anything for the engagement,” @Micheal00185355 said.
“That’s good,” another user, @Tuwanga01, commented.
Due to disagreeing comments that cast doubt on the claimant’s post, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA queried Google concerning the ban and found reports made by some credible news outlets.
Punch on March 11, 2025, reported that the legislators have only adopted the motion and ordered its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to implement it. However, it has asked the committee to revert after four weeks for “further legislative action.”
Daily Trust also provided further details, mentioning that the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, expects a report on further legislative actions in a month.
The order given during plenary on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, will expire approximately on April 11, 2025.
DUBAWA also checked the NCC’s website for details confirming the ban’s implementation but found no information (not even a press release) about it.
We also tried to access pornography websites to test their functionality for people who reside in Nigeria, and we discovered that such websites are still accessible.
Conclusion
The claim is misleading. Despite the lower legislative house adopting a motion for the ban, it has not yet been implemented.
