The Nigerian House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to oversee the shutdown of all pornographic websites in the country.
The House wants the Commission to order all internet service providers to prohibit all such content immediately.
The motion was proposed by Dalhatu Tafoki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) politician from Katsina State.
Moving the motion leading to the passing of the resolution, Tafoki argued that cyber pornography was becoming a global problem, adding that Nigeria had not taken adequate steps to address it.
According to him, Nigeria is a “highly religious country” where major faiths preach against and prohibit nudity and obscenity.
The lawmaker went further to state that several countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East had enacted laws banning pornography.
To drive home his point, the Katsina lawmaker made reference to warnings from psychologists and sociologists about the negative impact of pornography.
According to him, pornography could lead to 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.
Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, put the move to a voice vote, and the legislators voted to endorse it.
The House directed the NCC to apply sanctions on service providers who failed to comply with the directive.
