The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action against the rising incidence of hate speech and divisive rhetoric in Nigeria. The commission expressed concern that the spread of inflammatory language across social media and other platforms is threatening national cohesion and could fuel violence.
Hate speech has become a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political and social discourse, often targeting ethnic and religious groups. The NHRC’s call for action is a recognition that words have consequences and that unchecked hate speech can lead to violence.
This echoes the 2020 warnings about hate speech in Nigeria, which also saw calls for regulation. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a recognition that hate speech is a threat to national unity.
The winners: the Nigerian public, if action is taken to curb hate speech; and the NHRC, which has raised the alarm. The losers: those who profit from divisive rhetoric; and the Nigerian government, which must act to prevent violence.
Bottom Line: The NHRC wants the government to tackle hate speech. Divisive rhetoric is on the rise. The question is whether the government will act or the rhetoric will continue.