Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, has criticised the Nigerian government, describing it as self-serving and neglectful of its citizens’ welfare.
Speaking during a discussion on News Central’s Jasiri show on Monday, Sesan, a respected advocate for digital rights, highlighted the government’s failure to balance its own interests with its responsibility to the public.
“A serious government takes care of its own citizens… but what we have right now is a selfish government that takes care of its own self at the risk of not taking care of everyone else,” he said, pointing to various sectors where this imbalance is evident.
Sesan referenced issues such as unequal access to international travel. While officials benefit from special agreements, ordinary Nigerians face challenges in obtaining visas. He also stressed that the government has a constitutional obligation to safeguard citizens’ data and privacy, citing sections of the Nigerian Constitution that guarantee these rights.
Sesan criticised the implementation of Nigeria’s Data Protection Law, accusing authorities of failing to ensure transparency. Citizens, he argued, were not properly informed about breaches of their personal data, a right enshrined in the law. Instead, efforts by agencies such as NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) have focused on damage control rather than accountability.
Drawing attention to digital security, Sesan urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for understanding how their data is collected and used. He encouraged people to explore privacy settings and monitor their online activities, warning about the risks of digital footprints.
“One of these days when you’re bored and you scroll through Instagram and you’ve read all the gists, just spend five minutes to go to the settings. If you go to everywhere you’ve been is logged in there,” he advised.
Sesan also raised concerns about young internet users, emphasising the need for parents to educate themselves and their children on online safety. His remarks serve as a call for action, urging both the government and citizens to prioritise data protection, transparency, and accountability in the digital age.
