By George Ozalla
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) marking the International Day for Countering Hate Speech with a high-level roundtable in Abuja Wednesday, raised concern on the increasing dangers posed by hate speech in the digital era, especially through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN the Executive Secretary of the Commission, warned that while technology contributes to drive innovation, it also has the potential to ignite harmful outcomes such as hate speech on high level. Ojukwu further observed that the theme of this year, “Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence,” calls for reflection and concerted actions by all concerned.
According to Ojukwu, hate speech in addition to undermining individual dignity can progress and threaten national unity, democratic values, and the right to participate in public life. He stressed the need for national approach to ensure the responsible use of trending technologies, citing concerns over algorithmic bias, manipulated content, and online disinformation campaigns that pose significant risks to human rights and social stability.
The Commission has introduced the National Hate Speech Register to document and track incidents across the country in real-time and has trained its personnel across Nigeria to monitor and evaluate both traditional and digital media for hate speech.
He further stated that the Commission’s Advisory Opinion on Freedom of Expression, released in response to concerns about the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024, particularly Section 24, was seen by many as a threat to free speech. Ojukwu therefore called for a balance between freedom of expression and the prevention of hate speech.
NHRC has revealed plans to collaborate with technology platforms, regulators, and civil society to build AI-powered systems that can detect and counteract hate speech early, while pushing for more transparency in algorithmic moderation and content governance.
Hate speech is a form of expression that incites hatred, intolerance, or violence against individuals or groups based on their identity, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics. In Nigeria, hate speech is regulated by various laws, including the Constitution and the Cybercrime Act. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression but also provides that this right can be limited in certain circumstances, such as in the interest of public order, public morality, or national security.
The NHRC’s efforts to combat hate speech are crucial in promoting a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity in Nigeria.
