CITAD launches two digital initiatives

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development has launched two digital communication initiatives, dComms and DANCIT, to promote data privacy, digital freedom and decentralised communication in Nigeria.

The initiatives aim to offer alternatives to mainstream social media and messaging platforms amid growing concerns over data exploitation, online surveillance, algorithmic manipulation, and the dominance of major technology companies.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, in Bauchi, the Executive Director of CITAD, Yunusa Zakari, represented by the Centre’s Program Officer, Buhari Abba, said the increasing dependence on digital platforms had raised concerns about how users’ personal information was collected, stored and utilised.

He said many mainstream digital platforms operated business models that relied on collecting and monetising users’ personal information, often without adequate transparency about how the data was processed and shared.

Zakari said, “These challenges underscored the need to promote alternative digital platforms that prioritise privacy, transparency, community participation and digital freedom.

“People should have access to communication tools that respect their rights, protect their information and give them greater control over their digital experiences.”

He explained that CITAD, with support from the Association for Progressive Communications, was promoting dComms, a privacy-focused, decentralised social media initiative connected to the Fediverse.

The organisation also introduced DANCIT, an acronym for Dandalin CITAD, a community-centred messaging application designed to facilitate communication, collaboration and civic engagement.

According to him, the initiatives seek to expand Nigerians’ access to digital platforms that prioritise users’ rights rather than the commercial interests of dominant technology companies.

He explained further that dComms adopted a decentralised approach to social media, allowing independently operated services and communities to interact without relying on a single company to control the entire communication infrastructure.

Zakari said the connection to the Fediverse would enable compatible platforms to communicate with one another, creating opportunities for individuals, institutions and communities to participate in a more open digital environment.

He, however, stressed that the decentralisation alone would not eliminate privacy risks, misinformation, cyberattacks or service disruptions, stressing the need for responsible administration, adequate security measures and transparent governance.

Commenting on DANCIT, the executive director said the application was designed to provide a digital gathering space for young people, civil society organisations, development partners and digital rights advocates.

He said the platform drew inspiration from the traditional Hausa concept of a dandali, a communal gathering place where people meet, exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting their communities.

According to him, the application is intended to go beyond ordinary messaging by supporting grassroots mobilisation, digital rights advocacy, civic participation and collaboration among individuals and organisations.

He added that DANCIT was hosted on CITAD’s digital infrastructure, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to developing communication tools that respond to local needs.

Zakari pointed out that the platform also represented an opportunity for Nigerian organisations and communities to participate more actively in technological development instead of depending exclusively on applications owned by global corporations.

He said, “Digital platforms should serve individuals and communities rather than treat their data and attention merely as commercial resources.”

The CITAD executive director further emphasised the importance of digital sovereignty, which he described as the capacity of individuals, institutions and communities to make informed decisions about digital infrastructure, data governance and technological development.

He noted that digital sovereignty did not mean isolating Nigeria from the global internet but ensuring that Nigerians had meaningful choices and the capacity to develop solutions that addressed their needs while remaining connected to the wider world.

He called on civil society organisations, educational institutions, journalists, youth groups, technology professionals, policymakers and development partners to explore decentralised platforms and support initiatives that prioritised digital rights.

Zakari also urged Nigerians to look beyond the popularity of mainstream platforms and consider how digital services handled their personal information, protected their rights and gave them control over their online experiences.

He said achieving a safer and more inclusive digital environment required sustained public awareness, digital literacy,ed community participation and policies that protected users’ rights.

“Through dComms and DANCIT, CITAD is working to expand the choices available to individuals and communities and promote a digital future that is more open, inclusive, privacy-conscious and accountable,” he said.

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