Civil society urges restoration of internet services in Nigeria’s Zamfara North
Digital-rights organisations warn that prolonged outages can hinder emergency communication, disrupt businesses, and isolate communities. They argue that internet access now underpins key services, creating social and economic risks when networks are switched off for extended periods.
A coalition of digital rights and civil society organisations is calling on Nigerian authorities and telecom operators to restore internet access in Zamfara North, where residents have reported months-long connectivity disruptions. The outage, said to affect major networks including MTN, Airtel and Glo, has impacted several local government areas, including Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and Zurmi.
Local media and the Nigeria Union of Journalists say users began experiencing loss of access around late May 2025. Neither the government nor service providers have publicly explained the disruption. Advocacy groups argue the continued restrictions are affecting communications, access to education and healthcare, and financial services in the affected communities.
Recurring pattern of shutdowns
Nigeria has implemented network restrictions in the past, most notably in 2021 when telecommunications services were suspended across several north-west states – including Zamfara – as part of security operations. That shutdown, initially planned for two weeks, lasted 12 weeks, and some areas reportedly remain difficult to reconnect due to damaged infrastructure. The same year, the social platform X was blocked nationwide for seven months.
Rights and economic concerns
Advocacy groups say prolonged shutdowns affect daily life and hinder emergency communication, business activity and access to public services. They also note that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression and access to information, and that the country is part of regional agreements that discourage broad digital disruptions. The ECOWAS Court has previously ruled that network shutdowns violate human-rights obligations.
Organisations behind the appeal
The call to restore access is led by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, supported by a long list of regional and international organisations. These include the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Paradigm Initiative, Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), International Press Institute, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), PEN America, Fundación Karisma, Internet Sans Frontières, Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), and others from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Call for transparency and accountability
The coalition has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to provide clarity on the situation and take steps to restore full connectivity. It also reminded telecom operators of their responsibility under global business-and-human-rights standards to mitigate harm linked to service disruptions.
While authorities have previously cited security considerations for such measures, civil-society organisations say extended outages risk isolating communities and undermining access to essential services. The groups are calling for restored access and clearer communication on any future restrictions.
