The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to see to the blockage of all websites hosting obscene and pornographic contents in Nigeria with immediate effect.
The decision was passed on Tuesday after a motion sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina state.
According to Tafoki, cyber pornography was becoming a global problem and that Nigeria had not taken adequate steps to address it.
He described Nigeria as a “highly religious country” where major faiths prohibit nudity and obscenity.
The legislator said several countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East had enacted laws banning pornography.
He also cited warnings from psychologists and sociologists about the negative impact of pornography, including its potential to encourage adultery, prostitution, and addiction.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological and mental consequences of viewing pornographic content,” he said.
Lawmakers voted in support of the motion when Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.
Consequently, the house asked NCC to impose penalties on service providers that fail to comply with the directive.
