Nigeria
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
44 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
56 / 100
Partly Free
Security challenges, including insurgencies, kidnappings, and communal and sectarian violence in the Middle Belt region, threaten the human rights of millions of Nigerians. The vibrant media landscape is impeded by criminal defamation laws, as well as the frequent harassment and arrests of journalists who cover politically sensitive topics.
Research & Recommendations
Nigeria
Partly Free
44
100
| PR Political Rights | 20 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 24 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
44
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
While Nigeria has made significant improvements to the quality of its elections since the 1999 transition to civilian rule, balloting has continued to be marred by irregularities. Corruption is endemic in the petroleum industry, and security challenges—including insurgencies, kidnappings, and communal and sectarian violence in the Middle Belt region—threaten the basic rights of millions of Nigerians. Military and law enforcement agencies often engage in extrajudicial killings, torture, and other abuses. Civil liberties are undermined by religious and ethnic bias, while women and LGBT+ people face pervasive discrimination. The vibrant media landscape is impeded by criminal defamation laws as well as the frequent harassment and arrest of journalists who cover politically sensitive topics.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Nigeria
Partly Free
56
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 15 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 24 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 17 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
59
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom in Nigeria declined during the coverage period. Journalists and activists who negatively portrayed powerful individuals online continued to face arrests, online harassment, cyberattacks, and physical violence. Authorities sought to remove posts and deactivate the accounts of a well-known activist and journalist who criticized Nigeria’s president on social media platforms. Investigative reporting published during the coverage period also revealed new details about the extent of security services’ use of spyware and digital surveillance tools with little judicial oversight.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
The son of an Islamic scholar and a chemical engineer by training, Mubarak Bala grew up in northern Nigeria. Though the country’s constitution bars the federal and state governments from adopting a state religion, Sharia (Islamic law) is recognized in several northern states, where most of Nigeria’s Muslim population resides. Bala, who began exploring religion in his youth, spoke openly about leaving Islam. He began advocating for freedom of religion in Nigeria and earned the enmity of government authorities. His fearless advocacy on behalf of religious freedom resulted in a 24-year prison sentence.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
44
/ 100
Partly Free
Freedom on the Net Score
56
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 218,500,000
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
February 25, 2023
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
40.40%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
51
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
