Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression. Yet, recent events in Nigeria suggest that this fundamental right is increasingly under threat. On March 17, 2025, a young Nigerian corps member named Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly referred to as Raye, went viral on X (formerly called Twitter) after she openly criticized the Tinubu-led administration over the severe economic hardship faced by Nigerians. Her video was part of a trending 30-day Rant Challenge where youths expressed their frustrations about inflation, unemployment, and the rising cost of living. What was meant to be an expression of frustration and dissent quickly took a U-turn as it became a frightening reminder of the mirage free speech has become in Nigeria.
No less than 24 hours after her video had gained traction, Raye received a phone call from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials threatening her to delete the video or face consequences. Democracy thrives on dissent and is not about safeguarding power; it’s about ensuring that power remains accountable. When institutions begin to intimidate those who try to hold government accountable, it sends a subliminal message: your voice is only welcome when it says what we want to hear.
So, while the case of Raye may not constitute formal censorship, the policing of expression in itself is a perfect step toward authoritarianism. Nigerian youths, who represent a larger demographic of the population, need reassurance that their voices matter and that their rights are protected.
Strengthening civic education beyond the four walls of the classrooms should suffice to protect our democracy and uphold the right to free speech. Government agencies like the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Information and Culture, and Civil society Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, must make a deliberate investment in engaging in mass media campaigns that educate Nigerians about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy. This will include, using mass media campaigns such as websites, blogs, podcasts, and videos to educate citizens about their democratic rights, leveraging social media for advocacy and youth engagement, and lastly, government agencies and human rights organizations should train public servants and government institutions on human rights, ethical governance, and democratic principles.
In addition to this, the government must take a more proactive role in emphasizing active legislative oversight of freedom of expression violations. This approach would ensure the proper monitoring of the executive arm of government to make sure that policies and programs are effectively implemented within the ambits of the law and that government actions do not violate the constitutional rights of citizens, but strengthen the rule of law, and ultimately preventing the abuse of power. What this would mean in Raye’s case is that the National Assembly could actively monitor and investigate violations of free speech and ensure that institutions like NYSC are acting within democratic jurisdiction while enacting their mandate.
There is also an urgent need for government institutions to be oriented through internal reforms and human rights training. This is possible through the implementation of regular human rights training programs by government agencies, human rights organizations, and civil society groups for their staff, emphasizing the importance of citizens’ rights, especially freedom of speech and expression, partnerships with the media, and civil society campaigns to run public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens on their rights, encouraging open dialogues and public engagement, and fostering institutional reforms that permit an environment for diversity of thoughts and inclusivity. This ensures that they foster a culture of tolerance, openness, and civic dialogues.
Accountability is the hallmark of modern democratic governance, and it cannot exist without free speech. Consequently, if those in power cannot be held accountable in public for their acts or omissions, decisions, or policies, then democracy has no longer become democracy.
Nigeria must reaffirm our system of governance by refraining from authoritarian silence and prioritizing democratic dialogue. This is only possible if legal protections for citizens are established to ensure that citizens remain actively involved in nation-building.
Christian Okike is a penultimate medical student at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He is the President of the Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MEDRHUS), where he oversees various initiatives, including health outreaches and research. He is also the writer behind the Deliberate series, a reflective series that explores social dynamics and intentional living, combining creativity with a passion for public health.
Photo by Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash.