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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on November 27, 2025, held a sensitisation session for members of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria to promote digital rights, online safety and the use of decentralised social media platforms.
The session was facilitated by Suhail Sani Abdullahi and Hamza Ibrahim as part of CITAD’s efforts to raise awareness about digital communication, data protection and alternatives to mainstream social media platforms.
The engagement focused on helping media practitioners understand the challenges associated with centralised social media platforms and the opportunities offered by decentralised platforms and the Fediverse.
The facilitators explained that mainstream social media platforms are largely controlled by technology companies that determine their operating policies, content moderation systems and how users’ data are collected and managed.
They encouraged participants to understand how these arrangements could affect their privacy, online participation and control over the information they share.
The session also introduced participants to the Fediverse, a network of interconnected social media platforms that allows users on different services to communicate with one another.
Platforms discussed included Mastodon for microblogging, PeerTube for video sharing and Pixelfed for photo sharing.
The facilitators explained that decentralised platforms offer alternative ways for individuals and organisations to communicate without relying entirely on services controlled by a single company.
They noted that such platforms could provide additional choices for media practitioners and community groups seeking to share information, engage audiences and build online communities.
The session further addressed digital rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, access to information and the protection of personal data.
Participants were encouraged to adopt responsible online practices, secure their accounts, review privacy settings and verify information before sharing it.
The facilitators also highlighted the importance of media literacy and ethical communication, particularly in preventing the spread of misleading information and protecting the privacy of individuals.
The engagement provided an opportunity for members of the Media Forum to learn about alternative approaches to social media use and consider how decentralised platforms could support their communication activities.
CITAD’s engagement with media groups forms part of its broader efforts to promote digital inclusion, digital rights and awareness of open and decentralised digital spaces.
The organisation continues to advocate for a digital environment in which users have greater awareness of their rights and more choices in the platforms they use to communicate and access information.
The session concluded with an emphasis on the need for continued awareness, practical training and follow-up engagement to encourage the responsible use of digital platforms and increase understanding of decentralised social media alternatives.
