Right to Freedom of Speech in Nigeria: Myth or Reality

Abstract

Right to freedom of speech is one of the fundamental rights provided in Chapter Four of the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It is among the first generation rights which are
inalienable to man. For sometimes now, minds have been agitated on whether right to freedom of speech
is real or fairy tale in the context of Nigerian society. The motivation for this paper was born out of the
desire to add to the existing literature and offer a detailed examination on whether right to freedom of
speech in Nigeria is in reality or myth. The paper was commenced by reviewing the relevant provisions of
law that provide for right to freedom of speech. This was done for the purpose of identifying areas of their
strength and weakness. For this purpose, the paper adopted doctrinal research methodology. It was
discovered among others that freedom of speech in Nigeria is still far from being realised despite
plethora of judicial pronouncements on same. This was as a result of the social, economic, political and
cultural basis of the Nigerian state. It was based on the foregoing that recommendations were made
among which, are legislative pro-activeness and judicial activism on matters bordering on freedom of
speech in Nigeria.