The Centre for Information Technology and Development has reiterated its commitment to promoting open-source technologies and decentralised social media platforms, including Mastodon, as part of efforts to safeguard digital rights in Nigeria.
CITAD made this known on Thursday during a one-day sensitisation session on the Fediverse, a decentralised and privacy-focused social networking system, organised for students of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano.
The event, held at the Mai Deribe Lecture Theatre of the university, aimed to enlighten students on the benefits of decentralised digital platforms that prioritise user control, privacy and data protection.
Speaking at the session, a member of CITAD’s Technical and Innovation Unit, Yusuf Babagana, stressed the need to protect digital freedom amid the dominance of major technology companies.
- Plateau farmers, herders sign peace deal to end violence
- Kwankwasiyya Movement Debunks Rumours of Kwankwaso’s Medical Trip Abroad
“In today’s digital era, a few big tech companies control much of the online space. Platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram determine what people see and sometimes limit how they express themselves,” he said.
According to him, the growing dominance of these platforms has led to restrictions on users’ rights and freedom of expression.
“Many users have experienced being blocked or censored for sharing their views. This raises concerns about who controls our digital conversations and data,” Babagana added.
He explained that the Fediverse provides alternative platforms that allow users to communicate without algorithmic manipulation or centralised content restrictions.
Also speaking, Mubarak Shehu Dayyab of CITAD educated participants on the structural challenges of mainstream social media platforms, including excessive data collection, algorithm-driven feeds, advertisement-funded models and centralised control.
He warned that students face several online safety risks such as identity theft, phishing, scams, reputational damage and cyberbullying.
“To stay safe online, students should enable two-factor authentication, use password managers, verify links before clicking and limit the amount of personal information they make public,” Dayyab advised.
He noted that decentralised platforms such as Mastodon, which operate within the Fediverse, offer users greater transparency and control over their data.
The sensitisation, according to the organisation, forms part of CITAD’s ongoing commitment to promoting open-source solutions and advancing the adoption of Mastodon and other Fediverse platforms among social media users in Nigeria.
