WSCIJ Identifies 245 Verified Incidents Of Civic Space Infractions In 2025

…Warns that Nigeria risks slipping deeper into democratic regression

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has said there were 245 verified incidents of civic space infractions in 2025 referenced across 570 media reports published by 54 media organisations.

It noted that civic space infractions were on the rise when compared to 2024 and 2023.

These were contained in its 2025 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report titled “Silenced Voices, Shrinking Space: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure,” adding that the fourth edition of the annual report of the Centre was presented during the 18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series in Lagos, according to a statement on Saturday.

It said: “This comprehensive, evidence-based publication evaluates the state of civic space in Nigeria between January and December 2025. It also highlights trends of systematic repression, institutional restrictions, and the escalating vulnerability of journalists, civil society actors, and ordinary citizens.

“Despite Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of fundamental human rights, the report reveals a civic environment heavily constrained by institutional pushback and intimidation.

The report documents 245 verified incidents of civic space infractions across 570 media reports published by 54 media organisations, pointing to widespread and recurring violations of freedom of expression, access to information, peaceful assembly, and association. Law enforcement agencies were responsible for 89.4 per cent (219) of the 245 documented violations in 2025.

“The Nigeria Police Force accounted for the highest share, implicated in 118 incidents representing 54.0 per cent of all state-linked violations, highlighting the urgent need for greater institutional accountability and rights-based policing.”

It stated that while journalists and media workers remain primary targets, the 2025 data show a sharp, concerning spike in incidents affecting ordinary citizens who accounted for 54.3 per cent (133) of all documented incidents.

It added that repression is worryingly expanding beyond newsrooms, actively targeting everyday Nigerians engaging in peaceful protests, public dissent, and democratic participation, while physical violence and intimidation accounted for 40.8% of cases (100 incidents); a majority, 59.2% (145 cases), involved non-violent, administrative measures.

“These included arbitrary arrests, detentions, legal summons, regulatory sanctions, and the misuse of legislative provisions, which often bypass public scrutiny while severely chilling free speech.

“Across the states documented for journalism and civic space violations, Abuja and Lagos remain heavily concentrated, driven by high levels of political activity, economic mobilisation, and media operations. However, low incident counts in other regions reflect potential underreporting and the quiet normalisation of restrictions,” it said.

The statement explained that WSCIJ stressed that civic space is the bedrock of any functioning democracy, adding that without the unhindered liberty to speak, assemble, and hold leaders accountable, Nigeria risks slipping deeper into democratic regression.

It said that based on the findings of the report, WSCIJ calls on key stakeholders to take immediate action:

It urged regulatory, security and law enforcement agencies to undertake critical legal reforms, improve institutional oversight, and guarantee proportionate, human-rights-compliant responses to public assembly and dissent.

It also urged the legislature to review and amend ambiguous laws that criminalise online and offline expression.

It called on media and civil society to institutionalise civic space reporting, bolster safety networks, and expand public awareness initiatives, adding that international partners should provide technical and financial backing for local civic monitoring and early-warning protection systems.

“The report is part of efforts by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Civic Space project, promoting social justice, human rights, and good governance through robust investigative journalism, capacity building, and civic engagement in Nigeria.

“By utilising systematic media monitoring and incident verification, WSCIJ aims to foster dialogue, encourage institutional reforms, and strengthen advocacy efforts to protect democratic resilience and fundamental freedoms.”