Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has joined the #KeepItOn Coalition, a global network of over 345 organisations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns, to raise concern over the ongoing internet shutdown in the northern parts of Zamfara State, and has called on the Nigerian government to reconnect affected communities immediately.
Major networks, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, have reportedly been out of service for approximately three months. The disruption has affected at least four local government areas: Birnin Magaji, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi. Neither the government nor the telecom companies have provided an official explanation for the outages. Some residents have reported being without internet access since late May 2025.
The Coalition noted in a statement that this is not the first time Nigerian authorities have restricted internet and telecommunication services. In September 2021, the government ordered ISPs to shut down telecommunications, including phone and internet, across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara as part of counter-terrorism operations. Although the shutdown was initially set for two weeks, it was extended to 12 weeks. While access was restored in most states, communities such as Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State remain disconnected due to damaged infrastructure and telecom operators’ reluctance to return. Importantly, the measure failed to improve security but instead caused long-term disruption to people’s lives and rights.
Similarly, Nigerian authorities blocked the digital platform X (formerly Twitter) for seven months in 2021, the first nationwide shutdown of that platform in the country.
The #KeepItOn Coalition stresses that internet shutdowns have devastating and lasting impacts on human rights and daily life, and Zamfara is no exception. The ongoing shutdown has prevented people from communicating with loved ones, cut off access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and banking, and disrupted businesses and economic activity, deepening existing socio-economic challenges.
The Coalition also reminds authorities that internet shutdowns violate the Constitution of Nigeria. Article 39 guarantees freedom of expression and access to information rights that rely heavily on the internet. Nigeria is also bound by regional and international human rights frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Principle 38(2) of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa clearly states that “states shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to the internet and other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.”
Furthermore, the Coalition cited that the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has previously ruled that internet shutdowns are unconstitutional and violate human rights.
The #KeepItOn Coalition therefore calls on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to urgently provide a clear explanation and full transparency regarding the shutdown, and to take immediate action to ensure full restoration of connectivity in Zamfara North and all affected areas. As the statutory regulator, the NCC is legally mandated under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 to protect consumers and ensure the availability of reliable communications services nationwide.
“Telecommunications companies and ISPs, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and others, also have a responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to prevent or mitigate human rights harms linked to their operations, and to provide remedies where harm has occurred”, the Coalition added.
The #KeepItOn Coalition demands that the Nigerian government and all service providers immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown in Zamfara, restore full and open connectivity, and refrain from imposing future disruptions.
Signatories to the statement include Access Now, African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation (AODIRF), AfricTivistes, Avocats Sans Frontières France, Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Bloggers of Zambia, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), Common Cause Zambia and Computech Institute, Senegal.
Others are FAIBATEK, Females Technology Foundation-FTF, Fundación Karisma, IGBANET Association (Benin), Initiative for Embracing Humanity in Africa (IEHA), Innovation for Change (I4C) South Asia, International Press Centre (IPC), International Press Institute,
Internet Protection Society (ex-Russia), Internet Sans Frontières, JCA-NET(Japan),
Life campaign to abolish the death sentence in Kurdistan Network, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and PEN America.
Also included are Organisation of the Justice Campaign, Office of Civil Freedoms, Réflexions Citoyennes pour l’Innovation et le Changement (Bénin), Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), Ubunteam, VPN Generator, Women Empower and Mentor All CBO(WEmpower), Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), and Youth and Society (YAS).
